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I am a book clutcher.
I don't like lending my books to people. I know it sounds horrid, but it's true. I keep my books close because they might never return, and if they find their way back they're never the same again.
I decided about a week ago that I would not be a clutcher anymore. I would freely lend my books to people who wanted to read them and stop being so darn selfish.
So I sat myself down in front of my bookshelf and started to sort out my books. I made three piles. One for keeping, one to lend out, and another for books I was prepared to give away. Right, I was ready. Except, at the end of it all I had a high pile of books I was keeping, about 15 I was willing to lend out, and only 2 books I was prepared to give away.
I was ashamed of myself. I firmly believe that everybody should be exposed to the joy and magic of reading, but when push came to shove I was too selfish to share my joy with others.
My partner wasn't surprised at all. He pointed out to me that I can't even lend a book to him to read without getting slightly panicky. He also reminded me that the last time he suggested I get rid of a few books, I had turned into some sort of red monster, face streaked with tears and a mouth spewing forth profanities. I was even more ashamed. And that's when I decided it was time to change my attitude.
So, instead of thinking of it as losing my precious stash of books, I'm thinking of it as passing on the magic. Yes, I'm going to read it forward. I've started writing my thoughts about my books inside them along with my name and now it's time to pass it on. I hope that whoever gets the book appreciates the notes, adds a few of their own, and reads it forward as well.
Why not start doing the same with your books? There's nothing more wasteful than a bookshelf filled with books you haven't read in years. Go on, cut the umbilical cord and read it forward.
Are you a book clutcher? Or do you believe in passing on the magic by giving your books away once you're done with them? Tell us in the comment box below.
I don't like lending my books to people. I know it sounds horrid, but it's true. I keep my books close because they might never return, and if they find their way back they're never the same again.
I decided about a week ago that I would not be a clutcher anymore. I would freely lend my books to people who wanted to read them and stop being so darn selfish.
So I sat myself down in front of my bookshelf and started to sort out my books. I made three piles. One for keeping, one to lend out, and another for books I was prepared to give away. Right, I was ready. Except, at the end of it all I had a high pile of books I was keeping, about 15 I was willing to lend out, and only 2 books I was prepared to give away.
I was ashamed of myself. I firmly believe that everybody should be exposed to the joy and magic of reading, but when push came to shove I was too selfish to share my joy with others.
My partner wasn't surprised at all. He pointed out to me that I can't even lend a book to him to read without getting slightly panicky. He also reminded me that the last time he suggested I get rid of a few books, I had turned into some sort of red monster, face streaked with tears and a mouth spewing forth profanities. I was even more ashamed. And that's when I decided it was time to change my attitude.
So, instead of thinking of it as losing my precious stash of books, I'm thinking of it as passing on the magic. Yes, I'm going to read it forward. I've started writing my thoughts about my books inside them along with my name and now it's time to pass it on. I hope that whoever gets the book appreciates the notes, adds a few of their own, and reads it forward as well.
Why not start doing the same with your books? There's nothing more wasteful than a bookshelf filled with books you haven't read in years. Go on, cut the umbilical cord and read it forward.
Are you a book clutcher? Or do you believe in passing on the magic by giving your books away once you're done with them? Tell us in the comment box below.
