I could never be a library…
I hate to loan out my books.
I don’t mind giving books away…
Those that I’m not fond of…
But some books…
I have an affinity for…
And I don’t like sharing.
Recently,
While in Akumal Mexico…
I befriended a woman…
And we got into a great discussion about books.
She had a book she thought I would like…
And I had one for her.
Before I left for the States…
I left her that book—one of my favorites.
No big deal…
I know she’ll give it back to me…
But in the meantime…
I miss my book.
And that’s silly…
Because I know I’ll never read that book again...
It’s just that I like to see this book on my bookshelf…
Because this book—like all the books on my shelf…
Are like pieces of artwork to me.
And speaking of artwork…
Would anyone ask to borrow someone’s painting?
And really? What’s the point of keeping books?
They take up space.
And as I said—I won’t read them again.
The only books I do refer to…
Are reference books.
Hmm? Now that I think about it…
I’m more inclined to keep hardcover and trade paperbacks…
Than mass-market paperbacks.
I guess if I had an eReader…
It would be easier…
Because I wouldn’t have the urge to stare at it…
So tell me…
All you people with Kindles and other eReaders…
Do you have your own kind of attachment to the eBooks inside?
How often do you look at the cover art for your eBooks?
What kind of feelings does your eReader invoke?
And do eReaders have a particular scent?
Because I can’t be the only one…
Who loves the smell of a new book...
Or hates to loan books.
Always, Em-Musing
10 comments:
I LOVE real books. I love staring at them on my shelf too. And stroking the covers and smelling the pages. I have a Kindle, but I don't use it very much. I use it when I have to. Yep. I'm a real book girl who doesn't like to lend and who has a sniffing habit :o)
I hate loaning my books. and I don't. Because once I do, because it's not there, I go out and buy another one, the same one, to take its place. I wish I had an ereader so I could put all my mass market paperbacks on, and free up my bookshelves for hard covers. I don't care about the cover so much as the content.
I know exactly what you mean. Even if I can't see the books, I'm always aware of the fact that they're in my house (or not, when I loan them out).
I have a Kindle to satisfy my need for immediate gratification and for the convenience while traveling. However, I really detest e-readers. I love books, the covers, flipping the pages, having page numbers, the feel of it in my hands. And I don't loan my books out, ever. Why? They are never returned.
I don't mind loaning my books, but only if I don't expect to see them again OR if I completely trust the borrowee. I, like you, keep books on shelves that I never expect to read again and, yet, am reluctant to part with. I guess I just like the visual reminder of the worlds and characters and journeys I've experienced.
I love books too. So much! I don't always treat them well--I dogear them and drop crumbs in them and stretch their spines out too much. But I love them!
I've lost a lot of books over the years by lending them out.
I covet mine as well. I have a friend who reads books and passes them on when she's done, whether she loves them or not. I don't understand it, but I like it when she sends them my way. :)
I love books - especially when choosing something to read. I pick by covers and back page blurb and somehow it's not the same on kindle. But I absolutely adore to read on my kindle!! Wouldn't go anywhere without it now.
I love all books, even eBooks. I do have an eReader, and have discovered writers and books on it that I would never have found browsing in a bookstore. And now that libraries are jumping on board and loaning eBooks, it's amazing how much I do use it ...
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