Never underestimate the meaning of Simon & Garfunkel's great line from "I am a Rock" : I have my books and my poetry to protect me...

I have thousands of books. Most are hardcover, many are limited editions and I have those fantastic art books that weigh over 10 pounds and have beautiful color reproductions of masterpieces.

Most of my books are in view right now as I write this, in my library/office (which is now the attic, not the back bedroom). There are three bookcases in my bedroom as well, but the majority are in the library/office. Oh, and then there are books that are crappy, textbooks that I didn't want to throw away and the like, and those are in the basement.

While many of the books are not books that I would read again from cover to cover, I am fairly certain I would reference them from time to time. Indeed, I do reference them from time to time, whether it's to pull a valuable quote that struck me when I was reading the book or to cite a bit of information with a modicum of authority.

To answer your questions:


I love them. I treasure them. Knowledge is not just power, it is valuable for its own sake and quite simply, a joy.


I have given away a few books that I would otherwise probably have disposed of. I don't usually sell them because if I don't want to keep the book for some reason I at least usually want to just give the book to someone who would appreciate it. I think of it as finding a good home for the book, the way most people give away kittens.


It's not just for my own sake. Some books were my grandfather's, or my father's or mother's, and they have a level of sentimental value. I keep an old book on card games because my late grandmother gave it to me and the note that she inserted into the book (she was considerate enough not to write IN the book) is still there. However, all of the books I own will be available for the enjoyment of my wife, my daughter Katya and any other children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, etc. who want to access them. When I die, I hope that my children will keep the library that I've built (i.e., I don't care if they split it among them, but hope they do not throw any of the books away).


You may not consider it so, but 99% of the time it is a good measure of the intellectualism of the household. The other 1% of the time you are usually talking about stupid people who became rich through dumb luck and decided to buy a huge library to make it look as though they're smart. Furthermore, I find that a person's library is a window into their psyche. By looking at what books a person owns and displays, you can learn a lot about a person.


I understand your point. It's all a matter of preferences, priorities and level of commitment.


It can be liberating to not have anything. I got on a plane for Hong Kong in May 1998 knowing that all my things had been thrown into storage and all I had access to was the clothing in my suit bag - it felt great. Ultimately, though, after a few weeks I had just bought more clothes, books to read, etc. It's our nature to fill idle time.


Why the library? If you're not talking about a university library, half the books are likely to languish on the shelves untouched. Give the books to people who will appreciate them.