Oops I did it again
By Elizabeth Prata
New Year’s Resolution. I said to myself, “Self, NO MORE BOOKS.”
There.
I lasted one month.
But what is a bibliophile to do when there is a great sale on books AND the person is a Christian who needs the money? Buy a bunch, of course.
Bibliophile: “a person who collects or has a great love of books.” I love books, everything about them. Their construction, their looks, the possibilities they offer for imagination taking flight, for reality being put aside for just a little bit. I love old books, first editions, oir just good books. They are friends.
I love finding them, inventorying them, shelving them, thinking about them.
Bookworm: “a person devoted to reading.” I love reading but admittedly as I’ve aged and I’m still working full-time in a mentally demanding job, I have little energy to read on a weekday evening anymore, pitifully.
What’s the difference between a bibliophile and a bookworm? Not much. They often go hand in hand. A bibliophile is someone who loves books and often collects them, while a bookworm is an avid reader. Bibliophiles may also enjoy the physical aspects of books, such as their smell, feel, and appearance, while bookworms may be more interested in the content, says AI. I’m both.
My home growing up didn’t have many books or even a bookshelf but both parents read. In a later childhood home there were lots of books. The downstairs den had floor to ceiling built-in bookshelves. I used to enjoy looking at the titles of these grown up books. As for me, my library card was fairly worn out with how much I was there getting more and more books to read.
I also love giving them away. If someone needs a book, either any book or a certain book, they can have it if I have it.
I’ve got three other bookcases with books in them, all secular. One is in the bedroom and two are in the living room. A small shelf in the kitchen has cookbooks, and on my table is a small shelf of ‘what I’m reading now or next.’
My theological library-
It’s been many years of accumulating, curating, looking. About 18 years, to get to this point.
OK, this is it. No more books. 😉
