Thank you for putting in words the compulsion to collect books as some kind of bulwark against the pain of childhood…I feel that so deeply and have never been able to articulate it.
“…feathering the walls of his house with books…” Dreamy imagery inspiring me to visit the peace and insulation of my bookshop today. And to buy a new bookshelf.
The slowing down of time inside the bookstore-the feathering the walls with books- the carrying around of books to be donated that remain in the car-all experiences that feel unique and like mine alone, sometimes in a lonely way, and then the joy of understanding they are more like a secret club we stumble upon, sometimes when we need it most, and could there be a time we need the magic more?
What is a house for, if not to hold as many books as you could ever have wanted? Asks the woman who turned a spare room in the basement into her "storage library" ...
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Occupational hazard of all writers. My bookshelves are all full so now there are piles on the floor in every room of the house. Armor, maybe? Or additional insulation for drafty centuries-old houses in northern New England. I just picked up 5 books at a thrift shop last week and will soon head to the Mecca where I've never been: The Book Barn in Niantic, CT. I'm already eyeing additional floor space.
Reading this series always feels, wonderfully, like falling into a dream. From the moment of sitting on the bookstore floor reading while your mother shops at the mall (I did this for years), to the wistful end, I was all in. My library of books lives in my condo and in storage units in 2 other states. I think of consolidating as often as I think of purging.
(I followed your links and ended up adding Harryette Mullen’s abecedarian poetry collection Sleeping with the Dictionary to my Christmas wish list.)
Also? Many years ago when my books were in storage I kept buying used copies of books I missed—I had no business doing that—and I still have doubles from that time.
Omg I did that when I moved into my new place this spring. If copies of my friends’ books were in storage, I bought replacements, in case they came to visit!
Thank you, that makes me so happy to know. Here’s to the kids who sat on those floors. And who still do. She was asked if she has a favorite abecedarian, and she mentioned Zulus by Percival Everett, if that’s of interest also.
Thank you for putting in words the compulsion to collect books as some kind of bulwark against the pain of childhood…I feel that so deeply and have never been able to articulate it.
Thank you! From my book fort to yours, cheers.
“…feathering the walls of his house with books…” Dreamy imagery inspiring me to visit the peace and insulation of my bookshop today. And to buy a new bookshelf.
And thanks!
We are fans of the String Shelving shelves, which hold a shocking number of books.
The slowing down of time inside the bookstore-the feathering the walls with books- the carrying around of books to be donated that remain in the car-all experiences that feel unique and like mine alone, sometimes in a lonely way, and then the joy of understanding they are more like a secret club we stumble upon, sometimes when we need it most, and could there be a time we need the magic more?
Thank you . I’m very glad you found this.
What is a house for, if not to hold as many books as you could ever have wanted? Asks the woman who turned a spare room in the basement into her "storage library" ...
Lol high five 🙌🏼
This is gorgeous and so layered. Thank you for making it public.
Thank you for reading it!
I just hit 1100 books on my e-reader... but I keep buying, too. I'm permissive. What greater gift can I give myself?
A feast, yes?
"It’s all research, right?"
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Occupational hazard of all writers. My bookshelves are all full so now there are piles on the floor in every room of the house. Armor, maybe? Or additional insulation for drafty centuries-old houses in northern New England. I just picked up 5 books at a thrift shop last week and will soon head to the Mecca where I've never been: The Book Barn in Niantic, CT. I'm already eyeing additional floor space.
Anything with the word Barn near a word like Book is beloved but yes that specifically is going to be a spectacular visit.
Reading this series always feels, wonderfully, like falling into a dream. From the moment of sitting on the bookstore floor reading while your mother shops at the mall (I did this for years), to the wistful end, I was all in. My library of books lives in my condo and in storage units in 2 other states. I think of consolidating as often as I think of purging.
(I followed your links and ended up adding Harryette Mullen’s abecedarian poetry collection Sleeping with the Dictionary to my Christmas wish list.)
Thank you.
Also? Many years ago when my books were in storage I kept buying used copies of books I missed—I had no business doing that—and I still have doubles from that time.
Omg I did that when I moved into my new place this spring. If copies of my friends’ books were in storage, I bought replacements, in case they came to visit!
Amazing
Thank you, that makes me so happy to know. Here’s to the kids who sat on those floors. And who still do. She was asked if she has a favorite abecedarian, and she mentioned Zulus by Percival Everett, if that’s of interest also.
Very much of interest. Thank you!