Bright Young Things discussion

It’s buying books and then not reading them.  I have rather fickle tastes and my attention span is not great.  I’ll take a notion to read a book and if I can’t start it right away I may very well lose interest in it before it even arrives in the mail.  As a result my personal library is being overrun with books that I haven’t read (and may never read).   There is actually a name for this: Tsundoku.  Who knew?

Another bibliophile idiosyncrasy that regular people wouldn’t understand is the bibliophiles need to have specific editions of the books we love, or numerous editions of the same book.  I have three copies of “84, Charing Cross Road” – a first edition hardback, a paperback and a hardbound re-issue with a forward by Anne Bancroft.  In addition I have a CD of the book being read by actors Juliette Stevenson and John Nettles, a copy of the play script by James Roose-Evans, and a copy of the film on DVD.  I have numerous copies of Capote’s “A Christmas Memory,” the Narnia books, “Tales of the City,” etc.  Non-bibliophiles might find this fanatical, but is it any different than collecting stamps or matchbooks or various recordings of the same opera or musical? Well, yes, it is, those people are freaks whereas we love books. (Just joking - don't get apoplectic). 

Too many books here. I think I have a passion for buying books. Not sure it would be possible to have enough bookcases to shelve them - unless, possibly, I got rid of the furniture.

In my "reading room" I have about 15 piles of books on the floor.

However, I won't usually have multiple copies of the same book - unless it is by mistake. I still make this discovery every now and again. I do give most of my read books to a charity used book sale or the library.

I think I am in the right group since I "suffer" from the symptoms described by both of you. Yes, definitely book piles, but in many rooms rather than a reading room. Hey, aren't all the rooms in a house reading rooms after all?

Like Ian I can be picky about the edition I read/own, but have softened a bit lately with older books (since they are hard to get). I am delighted to have digital access via Kindle (no book piles) or via the Internet Archive so I can read rare books. The latter is amazing since at times one can actually read the actual book pages (in softened yellow) rather than pure "clean" digitized versions.

In a similar fashion to Ian, I often receive a book in the mail that I ordered weeks ago. It takes me a minute to recall the occasion and, of course, my mind is now on a different track compared to two weeks earlier. However, having many, many books allows one to browse and letting one's mind wander through the maze of time and space. It is great fun to go through a pile of books and "discover" interesting works. I used to be able to know exactly where all my books "lived", but lately the number of them has surpassed my ability. Plenty of "new" discoveries await. It is a joy to be a bibliophile!!

Ivan wrote: "There is actually a name for this: Tsundoku. Who knew?."

Haaze wrote: "I think I am in the right group here since I "suffer" from the symptoms described by both of you. Yes, definitely book piles, but in many rooms rather than a reading room. Hey, aren't all the rooms..."

Specific editions do matter to me - but more often than not now I'm looking for larger print (not LARGE print, just larger). I'll find a book in the bookshop and I'll be on cloud 9 until I open it and see the ity-bity print and my heart just sinks. I'm presently reading I Capture the Castle and the print is just too small (even with my readers).

I always marvel at how many of the older 19th century editions that have small print. I presume the purpose was to be able to carry (or conceal?) them or to easily read them in different places? However, the print is so small so I can barely imagine the 19th century or early 20th century reader being able to manage. E.g. the older Everyman editions. Once I came across a mini-book set (small, red) of Robert Louis Stevenson's collected works and it was tiny, tiny print. Plenty of books from the 1930s are similar.

I really enjoyed this essay by Walter Benjamin focusing on book collections: "Unpacking my Library".

http://www.swipe.com/wp-content/uploa...

Oh yes, I own way too many books compared to what I can actually read. Using audiobooks from the library for books I own physically is helping a bit though.

I don't often have multiple copies of the same book unless there's a specific reason. I have multiple copies of Anne of Green Gables because it's one of my favorites and I want different versions. And I have multiple copies of the first Harry Potter book, but from different countries I've been able to get people to pick up for me.

It really bothers me when my books don't match. My Thursday Next books changed cover art part way through them being published so they don't all match. My Evelyn Waugh don't all match because they weren't all put out matching to begin with, and then they changed covers when the others were released.

I'm sure I have more book quirks...

Ivan wrote: "Haaze wrote: "I think I am in the right group here since I "suffer" from the symptoms described by both of you. Yes, definitely book piles, but in many rooms rather than a reading room. Hey, aren't..."

Have you ever tried one of those full page magnifiers? Amazon has several for $10-$15,

Lynaia wrote: "Ivan wrote: "Haaze wrote: "I think I am in the right group here since I "suffer" from the symptoms described by both of you. Yes, definitely book piles, but in many rooms rather than a reading room..."

Who knew there was such a thing? D'oh!

A Kindle will magnify the font in any situation... ;-)

Ah, but not all my books are on Kindle.

I'm more of a "real" book reader myself, but I pick up copies of books I like whenever they are affordable or if they are HUGE.

We often joke that we moved house to accommodate our books, I having the minority share. At least now they are mostly in newly acquired books shelves. We joke further that 'Our Library' is work in progress other more important things get in the way, work etc
We may have multiple copies of books, if they are a series they have to be of the same size for the shelves!
We try and find first editions, signed copies etc but at bargain prices all adds to the joy of the hunt.

Do anybody else have to have their favourite drink or biscuit with them as they settle down (at home - not quite right on public transport) to read a book.
I have been known to read in coffee shops but find myself people watching, I need a quite space to read.

We might have had to move house if we didn't have kindles, Michael. There is no wall space in the house for more bookshelves and I find it difficult to cull the old books ruthlessly enough to make space for all the new ones.
I enjoy a coffee while reading a book, but I do sometimes forget to drink it.

The 'culling of books' my other half tries too but she finds it almost impossible to part with a book. lol.

Lynaia wrote: "Ivan wrote: "Haaze wrote: "I think I am in the right group here since I "suffer" from the symptoms described by both of you. Yes, definitely book piles, but in many rooms rather than a reading room..."

No. I'll look into them.

I have a different edition of I Capture the Castle and the print is perfect. The larger print also creates the illusion that I'm reading faster.

I'm not interested in first editions or signed editions - if I find one that is affordable then that's so much gravy. Mainly I'm looking for a nice hardbound copy for "the permanent library" (ha ha).

Jolabokaflod or the Yule Book Flood is an Icelandic tradition of giving books to family and friends on Christmas Eve - people generally take their book to bed (with some chocolate) and spend the rest of the night reading. Sounds grand to me. I've bought books for several friends this year. I have a big credit at the used bookstore so it's not really costing me anything. This is ideal this Christmas as I'm really trying to scale back on the commercialism and materialistic aspects of Christmas. Going to spend time with family and friends, a big Christmas Carol sing at church, a big Christmas brunch at the American Legion Hall for AA in Tallahassee, a book club meeting where we bring the book we loved most this year and another to exchange, and watching Christmas favorites like The Homecoming, A Child's Christmas in Wales and A Christmas Memory and will read The House Without a Christmas Tree. Happy Christmas everyone.