Blogger: Wendy Lawton
Books as disposables. Nothing could be sadder.
In our minimalist age people are not collecting books like they once did. It’s a trend I’m mourning. Books are such treasures. When I did research on the life of Pilgrim’s Progress author, John Bunyan, a poor tinker by trade, I was amazed to find that he owned a small shelf of books. Volumes in those days were very expensive compared to our books of today and yet he had several, including Foxes’ Book of Martyrs which his wife brought into their marriage. Poor as can be, but they treasured books.
I’ve been actively collecting fine books for more than forty-five years. Yep. Books as collectibles. Nothing pleases me more than my collection of books. I always longed to have a large room dedicated to books– a personal library– but as the years have gone on my books are in several rooms as you can see from the photos below.
I used to run an ad in our denominational magazine seeking books to buy. I found that retiring pastors have some of the most wonderful books and often no one who wants them. I obtained real treasures. Some had notes in the margins that are every bit as insightful as the text itself.
But in our day of minimalism we can’t help but ask the question, is collecting books just a different version of hoarding? I don’t think so. Here’s why building your own library is important:
- It is a reflection of you. I love to walk into a book collector’s home and browse their stacks. I come to know them without a word shared.
- Your books become old friends and you can revisit them throughout your life. My mother used to say that the best thing about her forgetfulness was that all her old books were new again. She could remember the characters but she never exactly remembered the plot and she could enjoy them as if they were new all over again.
- Books do not take up much space. There’s a whole world packed in about two inches of shelf space.
- I’ve tried to convince my husband, Keith, that, if nothing else, books are superb insulation. If you could cover each wall with books (and store boxes of them in the attic) you would cut your heating bill significantly. We’re getting close. 🙂
- When the time comes to downsize the volumes from your library make exquisite gifts.
Your turn: Tell us about the books you treasure. Do you collect special books? Does it ever make you feel guilty? What are your favorites?
Because I’m living in a much smaller space now, I no longer have room for the books I once owned. However, I am never comfortable visiting the homes of people who are not readers.
“People who are not readers.” Absolutely, Heidi.
*In my teenage years, I babysat for a couple families whose homes held NO adult reading material . . . no newspaper, no Women’s Day magazine, not even the TV Guide. I wondered how someone could live like that. And I was careful to pack some reading material just in case I finished my homework before they finished their party.
*We downsized our home a few years ago and thus downsized our book collection. A little. There’s still his bookcase, her bookcase, the hallway lined with bookshelves and bookshelves in both guest bedrooms. Our grandsons know where the children’s books are stashed and have some of the same favorites as their father had (The Bad Children’s Book is #1),
I love Mark Twain’s words on the subject: “The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who cannot read them.”
My mum would love to read this. At a time she didn’t grasp the ultimate value in books, she treasured them. Now, I’m glad she kept all those books. It’s a habit now.
My brother has bought more books than he has anything else.
And I’m learning to do the same, though I have more ebooks.
It’s a blessing to have books. A real blessing. Books are the real deal.
Yes! Treasures.
Books, books and more books. Oh, how I love real books. We don’t have anywhere near enough space for all our books. So many are stored in boxes under the bed and in the loft. We have moved house so many times with them and those helping always comment on the number. We have found fruit (banana) boxes are best for books removals.
Both our children have a full floor to ceiling bookcase jammed full: fiction, fact, classic, modern, all sorts, shapes and sizes. They do get in an awful mess, but I love sorting them all out again from time to time 🙂
Personally I have a lot of paperbacks. I can buy more books that way, but my wife prefers hardback when she can. She is right, of course, as many of my childhood favourites are fading and feeling fragile now.
You mentioned old pastors having good collections. This reminded me that my wife once had a summer job working for a wealthy English gentleman who collected antiquarian theological tomes. He converted an old barn into a library of them for scholars to come for research, and also a house next door for them to stay in. . . With yet more books! It was a wonderful place.
I don’t understand a house with no books, how can a hard drive of ebooks satisfy in the same way as a colourful bookshelf!
Today’s blog post makes me happy 🙂
p.s. I have had my first rejection (the only response so far)
Congratulations on the rejection, Nicholas. Getting one proves you’re really a writer. Just keep on submitting your work.
At a time when we had no discretionary money, my husband and I scraped together $200 for 4 huge, double-sided library bookshelves that our local library was selling during a construction project. (We had to take out a large window to get those bookcases into our house when we moved because they wouldn’t clear the stairway.) We easily filled them up, along with 3 barrister bookcases, and they are prize possessions. The only time I feel guilty about all the books we own—many of which we’ve bought for pennies at garage sales—is each time we move when I see the look on the movers’ faces when they realize what’s inside ALL those boxes. Poor guys.
We’ve made a few moves with the military. I’m sure our movers had the same groans when they saw our many bookshelves filled with books. 🙂
We bought 16 huge bookcases when the Borders in our town closed. We had intended to buy 8 wall cases but if we were willing to take the two-sided free-standing cases they’d give us eight of those. All Keith had to do was saw the end pieces in half and we had 16. He’s been trimming them out (crown molding, etc) and building them into rooms as we need them.
Ah, Wendy. We live in a two bedroom apartment with three sons (12, 10, & 8) and a 90 pound dog. I try very hard not to collect too many books. I bought my Nook for just this reason…and yet. We have an overflowing bookshelf in the living room. I have a small bookshelf of writing books in my office (which is in a corner of the living room) and yes, I do buy one craft book every year. Plus, I buy 3 childrens books every month and when I catch one of my sons doing something kind or hard working or just being an awesome kid, I give him his book. So the boys each have a huge shelf/pile of books in their room. We are not succeeding very well. Although for myself I almost always buy ebooks which does cut things down. I would love more bookshelves…but then we couldn’t walk.
It’s obvious, regardless of space limitations that books play a big part of your lives. The nice thing is that we don’t have to own books to treasure them. When I was little we walked to the library once every two weeks with my mom and whatever foster babies we had at the time. That buggy would be full of babies and books.
I don’t think someone who collects and neatly displays anything would classified as a hoarder, and your book displays are lovely. I’ve never been much of a collector myself, so my collection of physical books is actually pretty small given how much I read. I like to take advantage of the library (especially online) or used bookstores where I can resell them later to save space and money. My daughters, on the other hand, have an overflowing shelf of children’s books with constant new additions. I’m finding it’s no chore at all to cultivate readers like myself.
I’m guessing you are a Gen x or Millennial by your statement that you are not much of a collector. I’ve observed that collecting was huge with Boomers and not so much after that. Am I right with that generalization?
Great question. Are Millenials more likely to collect–as you mentioned, Jordan–children’s books but not antiques? Evidence of experiences, like a vial of sand from their honeymoon or menus from countries they’ve visited but not tea cups and ceramic owls?
Maybe for lots of things, but not books. My son and at least one other young man in college at our church are always reading hardcopy and keep them when they finish.
*My son also collects swords – the life-sized versions made of steel with very sharp points and edges that could be sharpened into something quite lethal. If we ever have to engage in hand-to-hand combat, our house is a true armory.
There were also young (20s) men shopping in the sword shop where I got my Roman gladius when I went to CCWC in Estes Park, CO. Maybe millenials are just very selective about what they collect.
Your generational assumption is correct, I am a millennial. I know a few people my age who collect things, but generally we are an online generation and that holds true for reading material. I think it’s important to note that millennials don’t necessarily read less than our older counterparts, we read physical books less and consume through other platforms instead.
That’s a great observation by Cynthia, by the way, about collecting ‘experiences’ more than ‘things’. Although it’s funny that you would mention tea cups specifically because I actually did acquire the beginnings of a tea cup collection recently after hosting a tea party themed bridal shower for my best friend. I rarely even drink anything but water, but I thought they were lovely so I cleared out a cabinet space for them.
Beautiful topic. Books are beautiful. They’re a decoration, especially hard-cover books. I like taking off the book jacket and displaying the beauty of the book.
*And yes, what a beautiful gift idea … a book from a close friend or one admired … from their (old) collection.
*I don’t feel guilty for having so many. I have stacks of them under tables and on shelves for decoration. Some fill bins in my garage or a shelf in my closet. Those might come closer to making me feel like a hoarder. Lol. My house is on the smaller side, and I don’t have room for more bookshelves (if I want to breathe). And I guess e-books are great for condensing our stacks.
*The books I treasure most are the ones under my end-tables, mostly from Dr. Robert Jeffress (my former pastor) and Beth Moore … I love their books because those two people have had the greatest impact on my spiritual walk. And I always treasure books written by friends.
*I have a burning question about audio books. You know how inner thoughts are included sometimes in a book, in italics? Those thoughts don’t make sense when the book is read aloud. Unless “she thought,” etc is tagged onto the thought. But the tag is being left out more and more … the italics lets you know it’s a thought. I’ve been reading a story out loud to my husband, and any time we come across an inner thought, he thinks the person said those words out loud. I have to stop and explain to him. How do audio books handle that? I’ve been wondering about it all week long. 🙂
I’m so glad you asked, Shelli! Many of us are probably going to make audio editions of our books, and that particular problem is a big question mark for me, too. I’ve done so much reading aloud through the years that I’m considering doing a “read-by-author” version.
That’s great, Carol! 🙂 I love reading aloud, especially on long road trips. Sure makes a trip from Texas to Florida fly by. 🙂
Wow, Shelli, good question. I came up against this while trying to record a podcast. I lowered my voice and changed my tone for the thought parts (I hope it worked).
I’m a fan of Beth Moore too. Her love for the Lord and His Word are contagious (as are yours). 🙂
Yes, I try to change my voice, too … but still … it’s a problem. 🙂 Good, challenging, and interesting problem, of course. 🙂 And … thank you. 🙂
Ha! When I am reading aloud to my boys, I usually pause as though I’m musing about something and put a bit of a question into my voice to signify that it is an inner thought. Sometimes, I will even say “hmmm…” before reading it as though the character is wondering in his or her head. I guess it works because no one stops me to ask if it was said aloud.
Ha ha, Kristen! 🙂 She wondered! 🙂
The really good readers make it clear with their voices. The slow and draw out a key word like “Maybeeee. . .” Most writers give a hint with a beat or a tag. Like “the thoughts keep rolling around her consciousness.”
You know, few writers are using italics any longer for thought. Have you noticed?
Wendy, What do they use? What is the new standard?
My characters do a fair amount of thinking and praying internally.
They simply use regular type. The lack of quotation marks indicate that it is inner dialogue.
I’m reading Suzanne Woods Fishers new book (I got it at 12:01 this morning so it really is NEW :-), The Devoted. Here’s how she does it:
“Why in the world would you want to learn to drive a buggy?” Why would anyone bother if they weren’t Amish?
See? The part in quotations is dialogue. The next is his thought. We read it and automatically know. We don’t need the italics.
Check out Grammar Girl on this subject. She calls it a Style Choice. http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/formatting-internal-dialogue-quotation-marks-or-italics
Thanks. I’ll check it out.
I love seeing all your books, Wendy. I never thought to take out ads to find other books. 🙂 We have two floor-to-ceiling bookshelves in our family room, mostly filled with books. Many of them are nonfiction. I confess I haven’t read them all yet.I have two bookcases in my “creativity nook” with a number of the shelves filled with various books (writing-related, fiction, DIY books). And I have a three shelf piece of furniture in our bedroom stacked with the books I want to read next. Annnnnd, I have books in my nightstand.
*Both of my boys have love affairs with books, and there are many books in their playroom. And hubs has books in his office.
*My favorite books are the ones written by friends. And some nonfiction titles. 🙂 And there are a couple children’s books that I will never, ever get rid of. 🙂
Yep. You are a certified book lover.
I have a wide, floor to ceiling cabinet full of books that I’ll never part with. Some of those include classroom story books my Grandmother used while teaching. Each volume was full of stories from around the world, the Wild West, fairytales, Aesop’s fables and more.
* I’m currently collecting extra copies of my children’s favorite books so when the time comes, they’ll each have their own.
We gave each of our kids a new Bible story book or children’s Bible every year at Easter. I’ve bought second copies of the best ones so each of my kids can have a set of all the best when they start their families.
I love that you are already building your children’s libraries. Can you imagine how special it will be to see them reading those same books to their little ones some day?
I’m not only sentimental about books, but about the shelves they sit upon! Here’s my post about the bookcase I grew up browsing. The photo shows it only half full–it’s overflowing now! https://sarahloudinthomas.com/2013/08/30/getting-sentimental-about-a-bookcase/
Lovely post, Sarah.
Love that, Sarah. 🙂
Does your dad know you or what?
“When I have money I buy books. If there is any left over I buy food.”
* Think some dead Greek philosopher dude said that.
I have it like this in my quote file:
“When I get a little money, I buy books; and if any is left, I buy food and
clothes” (Desiderius Erasmus)
Yes, I also collect words and ideas. 🙂
My best guess is that we have something over 6,000 books in the house. About 800 of those will be in a yard sale in a few weeks; another 100 will be given away—if I can find someone to take them. We are no longer accumulating books. Let me say that again: We are no longer accumulating books. If I say that enough times, maybe it will come true.
.
My three favorite collections:
– As many C.S. Lewis books as I can get my hands on, new or used. Have around 20 now.
– Books of letters, from anyone and everyone. From Dylan Thomas to George HW Bush to Reinke to Virginia Wolff to Emerson to Macaulay, etc. I have around 40 books of letters, I think. Not including e-books of letters.
– Works of Thomas Carlyle. I have a number that date from the 1880s. And books about Carlyle. I have around 20, I think.
.
I won’t hesitate to accumulate a few more in these collections.
Oh David. . . exactly where will that yard sale be?
A long, long way from California, I’m afraid.
I was about to ask the same question–where is this wonderful sale of these treasures?
Wendy, thanks for this paean to books.
My pastor retired recently. He gave two of us permission to help ourselves to his books before opening it up to others. It was a delight. Some were very old books that had to have been given to him. What a treasure.
We had the same opportunity last year. The widow of a pastor who died in the 50s opened her library to us before she moved to Covenant Village. What a treasure trove of classics.
Guilty about books? Never! Being a writer is the best excuse in the world to buy more. We have to study the craft, right?
Some of my favorite books are the ones where the characters feel like family. I must have read those twenty times (and counting) over the years. You can’t neglect family.
Especially since, for us, books are tax deductible.:-)
My whole family loves books, and no one feels guilty. My college-age son has two bookshelves in his apartment, 3 in his bedroom at our house, and at least ten 20-quart boxes filled with books in his bedroom. He often takes some of his old favorites back to his apartment in exchange for some that were there.
*I had a 6×5 bookshelf filled to horizontal at work before I retired. I gave all but two book boxes away to young colleagues who scarfed up the classics in several technical fields (even some science/engineering books are timeless). It felt good to pass them on to the young engineers who will be enjoying them for years.
*Other than my study Bibles, I’d say my favorite is the Pride and Prejudice copy I bought when I was a junior in high school for 50 cents. I’ve read that one at least five times and newer editions several times more.
*The most special book I have was written by my husband’s grandmother in the 1960s in central Texas. She had a broken left arm, so she couldn’t do much. She decided to interview the old-timers and collect stories of what the hill country west of Waco had been like when they were kids and the stories their parents and grandparents told them. It is called Tales Too Interesting to Forget, and they certainly are!
It runs in our family as well. My eldest daughter has floor to ceiling bookshelves on two walls in her living room. Filled full.
Superb insulation…against ignorance, emptiness, preconceived notions, loneliness, boredom, and cold winter winds!
Yes, Cynthia, I love this. 🙂
Brilliant, Cynthia! I expect to see that out of a character’s mouth some day.
One of my favourite books? My dad’s Arabic Bible. So worn and loved. It will be mine someday. I don’t have a clue what the words say, and yet I know exactly what they say.
I’m so thankful I grew up seeing him read it everyday.
I’ve said it before, but in my head, I can hear God rolling His R’s the way my dad does.
I have an old Bible commentary that belonged to my mother-in-law. She gave it to us. I just love it. It’s perfect in every way … old, frayed, old, frayed. 🙂 Moody Press. Old, frayed. 🙂
What a legacy. And not just the Bible but a father who could be seen reading that Bible regularly.
Beautiful post and pictures, Wendy. I love your suggestion that books are good insulation. My husband will appreciate that considering how many boxes of them he and our sons hauled up and down stairs the last time we moved. I especially adore old hardcover classics and ones about gardens. Books beautify a room like a smile brightens a face; warm and wonderful.
Blessings ~ Wendy Mac
Yes, books are good for insulation … and kids’ stuff. I can’t seem to part with all the little play items. Boxes and bins of it all. If we ever get grandkids, we’ll have all the books and toys they’ll need.
I also love gardening books. I tell you, Wendy Mac, there’s more we share than first names.
I love your arguments for collecting books, Wendy! I especially love the point about books becoming old friends. I love the comfort of re-reading an old favorite now and then as a special treat. Looks like you have a beautiful book collection yourself!
A few years ago I decided to count the books I own but gave up at about 2000. Most of mine are books for kids or about writing and other non-fiction topics. I also have about two tall bookcases full of books written by people I’ve met and lots of cozy mystery and sic-fi paperbacks. Those are great to re-read in front of the fireplace on wanter evenings. I should probably get rid of sone non-fiction books that are outdated or about things I no longer care about. I have a bumper sticker that says, “Bookaholics Unite” and it’s nice to know I’m not the only bookaholic around.
I apologize for all the typos.
Apologies not necessary. 🙂 We’re all just typing fast. I thought sic-fi was a good description. 😉
We just moved and downsized so I put a lot of my books into circulation, giving them to friends who will read, enjoy, and pass them on. However, there are shelves of special books I wouldn’t part with. Recently I paid $40 for a paperback I’d lent to a gal years ago and she’d not returned it before she dropped me as a friend. I used to read the hardback every spring before I cleaned my closet. (I shopped on Amazon and waited until I found a copy at $40 instead of $100!) When I get new bookcases the paperback will go in among my other books that I intend to keep forever. Wendy, I’m saddened too that physical books aren’t as precious to people as they used to be. My parents and grandparents had filled bookcases in almost every room of their homes. We weren’t rich, but there was always enough money for books. And I love the smell of bookstores and libraries.
I love physical books but I’ll admit I have hundreds of ebooks on my devices as well. Maybe close to a thousand now. (And I don’t fill my device with free books.)
I have two shelves of my father’s old pulpit commentaries…on the bookshelves in the guest bathroom. A little light reading. Treasures.
Oh, yes, treasures. 🙂
I haven’t thought of myself as a collector, but as I sit at my desk staring at the book-shelf lined walls brimming with old tomes that have become good friends, I have to rethink that. Perhaps I am a collector, after all. Few things give me as much joy as looking up at a bound volume,1873 Godey’s Lady’s Book. Arthur’s Magazine from 1868. An original signed edition of No Time on My Hands (a treasured pioneer woman’s memoir). And so on. I don’t feel one bit guilty. I don’t haunt the rare book store in my home town, but I do attend estate sales and I always go for the books first! My most recent favorite is a small volume of Havergal’s poems (hymns) beautifully illustrated as a gift book. It’s from the early 1900s.
I didn’t even show photos of the shelves in my studio. I have many bound Godeys, Petersons, Grahams and Girls Own– mostly from the 1860s. You need to come and play costume with me. 🙂
My mom, sisters, and I have many books. It’s interesting that my sisters and I share the same taste in some reading material, but differ in the rest. If you look at each of our separate bookcases you will see complete sets of books by Robin Jones Gunn and others. I have duplicates of some books that my one sister has, but the other doesn’t. My other sister has some of the exact same ones that I have, but my first sister doesn’t.
I have two large wooden bookcases from places like Office Depot and one smaller, hardwood one that my grandpa made. A couple of years ago I got some clear boxes in which I store my mass market paperbacks. I can fit about sixty in each box. Trade size will fit, but not as many.
Link: https://goo.gl/dwGd8Z
Nice storage boxes. You do have to watch out for storing books long term in plastic however. It hastens breaking down. Unfortunately there’s nothing that will keep mass market books from yellowing– it’s the paper.
If you want to see what librarians use for archival storage check out http://www.demco.com. (Used to be Highsmiths.) I buy my dust jacket covers from them.
Wendy, which type of plastic material is the source of the problem? Boxes are made of several different types of plastic that outgas different chemicals. Maybe asking chemistry is unfair. What is the description of the type of box that is a problem? Clear? Opaque? How fast do the books degrade? I have many (a few hundred maybe) stored in clear plastic so I can read the covers. Maybe I need to change box type and use lists.
“When I have a little money I buy books, if there is any left over I buy food and clothes.” love this quote by Shaw I believe but I could not remember correctly.
I live with my 100 year old mother who thinks I have too many books. I now sneak new purchases into the apartment.
I collect some authors, specifically George MacDonald. I have a few of his from the early 1900’s.
I never feel guilty, EVER!!!!!
I once had conversation with a co-worker who said she had a lot of books but they were in boxes. I told her my books are my friends and I never put my friends in boxes. We had a good laugh together.
I know I have found a friend for life when I can spend hours in a used/new bookstore with them and share our excitement at special finds.
My favourite book in my collection is a 1854 memoir of a man who was a missionary to the Middle East in the 1800’s. What a profoundly difficult and heart wrenching life. I am constantly inspired and humbled when I pick up this book.
I collect MacDonald as well. He was the inspiration for Tolkien and C. S. Lewis. There’s a small bookbinder here in California who is recreating facsimiles of the first editions with beautiful bindings. Keith gifted me four of them one Christmas.
This post made me grin ear to ear! I have collected books unashamedly since I was teen, starting with classics like Sherlock Holmes and Robinson Crusoe. I love old hardbacks that are frayed at the edges, and may or may not have bought some duplicate books just for the binding!
My husband has gone off on mini sermons a few times on the importance of books. He likes to point out that back in the day before libraries, the way to gain more knowledge was often through someone with a good book collection.
I also hope to one day have a room dedicated to books. With at least one tall, sliding ladder. Because those are useful. 😀
Love those library ladders!
Off topic. Andrew’s post was very short, and he hasn’t replied to an email. Both are signs that he needs prayers right now.
Thanks, Carol. I’ll join you and mention it to our Books & Such author loop.
I collect books and feel no guilt ☺
The books I gave are nothing special – mostly just paperbacks and many bought used. Regardless, I have connected to them in a personal way through my reading of them Therefore it is difficult to simply cast them aside. In fact I can’t cast them aside. Full shelves testify to that. But I don’t mind because the stories within those pages are worth keeping and maybe reading again.
Wendy,
I enjoyed seeing the pictures of your books. I wanted to read the titles! 🙂 Books make a house look more like a home; somehow they add a certain warmth or coziness to a place. If I visited someone who didn’t have books around, I’d feel as though something was missing.