I was so glad to pack up my DVD’s and CD’s. I thank technology for being able to find my favorite movies and songs on an app somewhere. The books are a whole different story. They are more friend than object. I’ve put ⭐️ next to all the important stuff on the pages. I told my daughter if something happens to me I left myself in my books. You will always be able to be near me and know what inspired me and changed me at different times of my life. BTW I keep a hardback copy of Frankl’s book. 😉
I love this! Books do have a special status as physical objects. And I know what you mean about passing a little bit of yourself onto your kids through your books. Hopefully our kids will appreciate what we leave them! Maybe in the future I should write another post exploring more of the differences between physical and digital books.
Great post & interesting discussion. I’ve expanded into audiobooks for long drives, while cooking/cleaning etc. Granted, they require less concentration, but I think they serve a purpose. Some of them are wonderful performances of expert storytelling too - currently listening to Conrad’s The Heart of Darkness narrated by Kenneth Branagh. My neighbourhood also has many “little free libraries” and one in particular has Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning tucked in between the Danielle Steele & Stephen King.
Good point about audiobooks! We are lucky to live in an era with so many options. I usually don't read audiobooks because I am a visual learner and do much better when I can see the words. But I would definitely make an exception to hear Kenneth Branagh read Heart of Darkness. :)
Thank you Brittany. Your take on book ownership is good advice indeed. However, in the interest of small business promotion, I buy from the small store here, The Muse. The old wood floors, owner there forty some years, her kind old dog, and more! I have enough unread books in my tiny library to remind me about random purchases. However, when I do deviate from the plan, I have enormous gratitude that I have the resources to do so I have the means to welcome a new friend inside.
Thank you for bringing this into the conversation. I agree, it's so important to support local bookstores! I usually make more impulse buys when I am under the sway of those old wood floors and the enticing shelves of well-loved books...so I don't go in very often, but I am very happy you do.
By the way, here is a word from The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows that exactly captures the feeling you describe:
vellichor, (n.) the strange wistfulness of used bookstores, which are somehow infused with the passage of time--filled with thousands of old books you'll never have time to read...
I was so glad to pack up my DVD’s and CD’s. I thank technology for being able to find my favorite movies and songs on an app somewhere. The books are a whole different story. They are more friend than object. I’ve put ⭐️ next to all the important stuff on the pages. I told my daughter if something happens to me I left myself in my books. You will always be able to be near me and know what inspired me and changed me at different times of my life. BTW I keep a hardback copy of Frankl’s book. 😉
I love this! Books do have a special status as physical objects. And I know what you mean about passing a little bit of yourself onto your kids through your books. Hopefully our kids will appreciate what we leave them! Maybe in the future I should write another post exploring more of the differences between physical and digital books.
Indeed, you should 😉
Great post & interesting discussion. I’ve expanded into audiobooks for long drives, while cooking/cleaning etc. Granted, they require less concentration, but I think they serve a purpose. Some of them are wonderful performances of expert storytelling too - currently listening to Conrad’s The Heart of Darkness narrated by Kenneth Branagh. My neighbourhood also has many “little free libraries” and one in particular has Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning tucked in between the Danielle Steele & Stephen King.
Good point about audiobooks! We are lucky to live in an era with so many options. I usually don't read audiobooks because I am a visual learner and do much better when I can see the words. But I would definitely make an exception to hear Kenneth Branagh read Heart of Darkness. :)
Thank you Brittany. Your take on book ownership is good advice indeed. However, in the interest of small business promotion, I buy from the small store here, The Muse. The old wood floors, owner there forty some years, her kind old dog, and more! I have enough unread books in my tiny library to remind me about random purchases. However, when I do deviate from the plan, I have enormous gratitude that I have the resources to do so I have the means to welcome a new friend inside.
Thank you for bringing this into the conversation. I agree, it's so important to support local bookstores! I usually make more impulse buys when I am under the sway of those old wood floors and the enticing shelves of well-loved books...so I don't go in very often, but I am very happy you do.
By the way, here is a word from The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows that exactly captures the feeling you describe:
vellichor, (n.) the strange wistfulness of used bookstores, which are somehow infused with the passage of time--filled with thousands of old books you'll never have time to read...