I love books more than almost anything. I’m the very
opposite of those people who find going into a bookshop to be a dull or anxious
experience. Anxious is what I feel when I go into clothes-shops, shoe-shops or
other shops.
Bookshops, especially good well-stocked bookshops, offer me
a sense of relaxation and peace. I know where I am. I see lots of things I’d
like. I don’t have to worry about size or fashion. My only fear is that I’ll
spend, or spend too much. (True, there is the fear of not seeing one’s own
books but today I am ignoring that angst.)
I am not particular. I also buy from charity shops and
bookstalls in hospital foyers and booksales at libraries too.
The upside is that I now have a house full of books.
But the
downside is that I now have a house full of books.
Many of the shelves are double-parked. I have thought about
getting rid of a few. The problem is that, apart from the matter of each named
genre, I have an almost subconscious book classification system that makes
clearing any out that bit more difficult.
For example, there are:
Books I’ve read and want to read again. (Or even again,
again.)
Books, started, but not at the right moment for either of
us.
Books, interesting: on subjects that might be useful or
important to me one day.
Books, worthwhile but slightly dull: begun but now resting,
for finishing one day.
Books, classics: that everyone has read. For reading –
honestly - very soon.
Books, relics of ancient relatives: layers of guilt &
sentiment attached.
Books, research: might still may be useful if ever I . .
.(fill in blank).
Books, topic education: apparently superseded by tick sheets
and laptops. Sigh.
Books, unread by favourite authors: suddenly spotted on
shelves. (2nd copies poss.)
Books, holidays for the use of: not right o location and
somehow not right since.
Books, unsought unsuitable review copies: lurid but attractive to
woodlice and spiders.
Books, comforting, invalids for the use of: in case of long
severe sniffles.
Books, hints, tips and analysis for writers: for reading
when should be writing.
Books, diet: weighing as much or more as needs to be lost.
So many categories - and that’s only the beginning!
Then when I look round the shelves and floors and other flat
surfaces considering just a little careful thinning out, there’s another
problem. His books. My books. Our books. Books of contested ownership.
Literally, a nightmare!
Now, suddenly, it’s simpler. There are e-books and kindles the
size of a pocket. I see a new enticing title and the compact device whispers
suggestive words. “It won’t take up any more space . . "
However, I’ve noticed newish kindle owners saying things
like “Oh, the first thing I did was to download the whole of Dickens / the
whole of Shakespeare / the whole of Tolstoy / the whole of anything" before gleefully adding “For free!”
I always want to ask, “Yes, but why did you do that? Do you
normally read those books? Are those titles what you usually reach for when you
want to read?” Or even “Great. How many
of them have you read now?”
But then I noticed that all the Andrew Lang Fairy books ready for
downloading to kindle. Yes, for free! Hmmm. Suddenly that pocket-sized kindle idea feels mightily dangerous.
I
might end up with a home just as full of the books - problem still unsolved! –
along with enormous quantities of virtual bookshelves. And I won’t even be able to see when they are
double-parked.
Penny Dolan
Penny’s latest book is “A Boy Called M.O.U.S.E” (Bloomsbury)
www.pennydolan.com
