I confess! I'm addicted! To what you may ask??? I'm addicted to books. I can't help it. I love them. They smell so good. They feel so good in my hand. They take me to a different time and place. They're just so magical.
I love to purchase books as well. Bookstores are not a good place for me to be. It is a rare occasion for me to walk out of a bookstore without having made a purchase. If the store happens to have a bargain section, then look out.
I couldn't tell you how many books I currently own. All I know is that two bookcases are definitely not enough. One wall of my bedroom is covered in bookshelves and stacks of books waiting to find a home, but I haven't got anymore room.
I had a conversation about a month ago on the topic of owning books. A friend of mine said they didn't like to buy books. After all, what do you do with them when you've read them? To that I answered, you keep them. You may need them one day. Said friend explained that they made exceptions with either church books or history books, but to purchase a novel, there isn't really a point. I disagree.There is a point. Some books you may want to read again. Others you just want to own. One day I'm going to want my kids, nieces, nephews...to read the books I love.
I must confess though, I am a picky book lender. I want you to treat my books well. Please don't bend the pages, mangle the cover, or spill crap on it. I loan them out of love so please treat them that way. This pickiness also shows in the way I select used books. The book must be gently loved. It can't look like it was run over by a train. When I was picking out books in college, I would oftentimes go through a stack of books just to find the right one. Sometimes I'd even go home and clean the cover of the book just to make it look that much better.
So you see that yes, I am an addict. But it's kind of a fun addiction and one that I only indulge in every once in a while.
P.S. Today I purchased 3 books.
P.P.S. I've probably read 50% of the books I own.
I remember going book shopping with you for college; it was always fun. I know how you feel...sort of. I can't sell back my college books even if I'll never read them again. They are a part of me and a reflection of who I am.
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