I was going to call this post 'dirty books' but that might have given the wrong impression...
Does that make you cringe? Do you like your books to be pristine?
I had a good think about where this comes from - I have friends who treat books as if they are sacred and to be kept in perfect condition. I don't borrow books from these people, you'll be glad to know! Then, I remembered at Sunday school when I was small, the teacher had a battered old bible with every margin and tiny space crammed in her handwriting. It was thick with her own thoughts, ideas and inspirations that she'd felt when reading the text. I remember running my fingers over the bumpy pen marks and feeling exhilarated that she'd owned this book so well.
I loved her bible.
And I love my books. Just because they are scruffy - they are definitely NOT neglected. They are much loved.
Believe it or not, I still read ebooks on my computer, I don't own an e-reader yet - maybe when they have a 'fold down corner' option and the casing takes biro!
I find it fascinating - how do you treat yours?
See you next week - if I don't get lost in time and space again...
T x x x
I do tend to "break the spine" on books. I will generally start reading a book, trying to be very careful not to do this, trying to keep them new looking. But after about 1/3 or 1/2 of the way through, I get lost in the book and forget. But I can't stand the thought of bending the pages or writing on them. And don't get me started about the labels put on some books....I hate those stickers!!
ReplyDeleteYou totally made me cringe. I love my books to look new all the time. However, I am okay if someone borrows them and they don't come back perfect. If I have a book I really want to stay perfect, I just don't lend it.
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
Loved this post, especially your memory of your Sunday school teacher's well-loved bible. The only books I buy in paper format anymore are self-help, reference or cookbooks, and I definitely do mark those up with highlighters and notes. I buy fiction in ebook format only now and hate the Kindle highlighting feature.
ReplyDeleteI am an offender in the worse way. Prepared too be fully grossed out by my confession. When I'm reading, I poke my cuticles with the page corners, which sometimes even draws blood. Ewwww. It's a habit I'm trying to break because all my book pages end up with bloody corners. I get so lost in the book that I never realize what's happening until it's too late!
ReplyDeleteFor this reason, I never borrow books!
I love all your reactions! Wow - isn't it amazing? Oh Jen, you made me giggle - we could swap books with each other! I think June, if you break the spine, you must be truly engrossed in the story - that's a good sign... and Lacy, I think you wouldn't want the book back if you leant it to me - tee hee! Pepper - you reminded me of a fab book I read about a recipe book - if I remember it, I'll let you know. I love books made personal. Thanks ladies x x
ReplyDelete