Library Emotions

[qos]

Recently, for all kinds of reasons, I have had to start thinking about the amount of "stuff" in my house, and what to do about it.

My library is a source of strong mixed emotions. Once upon a time (probably until mid-way through my undergraduate years), each book in my library was a friend. I knew the story, knew where it was on my shelves, and knew which books it belonged next to. Now, I have so many books I can't keep track of them. Some have been there, never read, for a couple of years. Some I have read, but haven't picked them up in years.

But my library is a source of vanity for me. Having a lot of books, and a wide variety of books -- everything from a Greek language copy of the Iliad (which I have read, thank you very much), to books on a wide variety of religious topics, to graphic novels, to history, to gaming tomes, to novels both high-brow and low. . . I love what it says about me.

But the fact is: I haven't touched some of these books in years, and they take up space. Space I can't afford to be careless with anymore.

I like my library of scripts and books about theater arts and history. But it's been years since I opened them for business or pleasure. Do I really think that I'm going to want to re-read "5 Plays of the English Renaissance"? Do I really want to have several copies of the Oedipus plays, in various translations? The Chicks in Chainmail anthologies were fun to read, but do they need to stay?

Understand, I take books to used bookstores several times a year. It's not like I keep everything. But I suspect I'm going to need to be more ruthless in purging my shelves. And it's not the particular books that give me the sense of angst in downsizing, it's not being able to enjoy the reaction of people who come into my home and see my extensive collection. I have this irrational conviction that my perceived IQ is going to decrease as my library decreases in size.

Of course. . . if I don't get control over the chaos in my house, there aren't going to be any guests to see the library, because I'm too embarrassed to have anyone over.

Comments

[woodwardiocom.livejournal.com]

-My experience is that one's library doesn't actually get smaller, it just stops getting bigger.

-I also found that selling, donating, or giving away the bottom few percent of my library was good for my ego, since I now knew the library was of higher average quality.

[qos.livejournal.com]

. . .since I now knew the library was of higher average quality.

Good thought -- thanks!

And thanks for taking the time to read and comment. I know your friends list is already very large.

[(Anonymous)]

I know your friends list is already very large.

-I only read about half the people on my friends list.

[quietearthling.livejournal.com]

AAAACK. I can relate to needing the space, but part of me wants to tell you to keep the books. Each time I gave away (or sold) books, I have regretted it. My grandparents sent us an entire library (books on art, and lion feuchtwanger, and other collections) - and we sold it at nothing before moving to Canada (in order to be more mobile).

5 years ago, I gave away my entire concordance and interlinear Old and Tew Testaments (8 volumes altogether) so that I could be more mobile.

I have regretted both decisions deeply. Books that aren't easily replacable are sad to leave behind.

[qos.livejournal.com]

There's a delicate line between holding on to a book just because of its source (like grandparents) or its rarity on the one hand, and having a good understanding of what I'm probably not going to even look at again.

In my theater example, the English Renaissance plays collection is a paperback that cost me maybe $5.00 when I first purchased it back in the late 1980's for a particular theater class. There's nothing special about it. On the other hand, I'm not remotely considering giving up my Riverside Shakespeare, especially since it's annotated with my notes from lectures given by a leading Shakepsare expert.

Three paperback volumes of Chicks in Chainmail humorous fantasy short stories? I could replace those, if I ever wanted to, for a few bucks. A copy of God Emperor of Dune signed by Frank Herbert when I went to one of his lectures, I'm keeping, even though I may never read it again.

My almost complete collection of the Anchor Bible series I'm keeping, even though it takes up a chunk of space on its own half-sized bookshelf.

[bookchick.livejournal.com]

Ah, the eternal question! If I get rid of my books, what does *that* say about me? The answer for me - that I'm not someone defined by my possessions, but rather someone who does what she needs to in order to provide herself and her loved ones with a healthy living situation. As you have known me through a few of my extreme binge-and-purges, you probably understand much better (and yes, just to keep the geekiness alive - we now have readerware.

[qos.livejournal.com]

Good points, as always.

Girlfriend, you need a userpic!