I indulged one of my passions yesterday - second hand book shopping. For me, this is one of the truly simple pleasures in life. To be able to take your time looking at a massive array of pre-owned books on every imaginable topic, from the esoteric to the popular. A place where a 70 year old book can be sitting next to a two year old book on the shelf. A place where a long out of print title might be found.
Oh, and did I mention that they are pretty cheap? I like the concept of recycling in general, and a second hand book shop to me is like a recycling centre. I am grateful to the people who sell their old and unwanted books to a second hand book shop rather than throw them out. It breathes new life into the books when they find their way to another home.
I find something distasteful about throwing out a book. Somebody originally bought the book, either for themselves or as a present for someone they considered important. Whatever the reason, there was thought behind the purchase, and throwing out a book to me is like throwing away that thought. I like to think that when I buy a second hand book, that that original thought is being honoured and is being complemented by a new one.
To me, a book is a thing of beauty, and the culmination of much effort on the part of the author. It is a window into another world, real or imagined. Maybe a window into another time. Take for example "Air Power", by Stephen Budiansky. This was a ripping read about the development of the aeroplane as a weapon of war that I never knew existed. I found it a fantastic holiday read for $10. A 518 page first edition hard cover in pristine condition. Not to everyones taste I wouldn't think, but a great example of a quality read on a topic I enjoy for next to nothing.
The question I would like to ask is, "Are books still important today, or are they a thing of the past, a relic from a pre-digitised world?"
I would be interested in hearing your thoughts.
Until next time,
CfB
Oh, and did I mention that they are pretty cheap? I like the concept of recycling in general, and a second hand book shop to me is like a recycling centre. I am grateful to the people who sell their old and unwanted books to a second hand book shop rather than throw them out. It breathes new life into the books when they find their way to another home.
I find something distasteful about throwing out a book. Somebody originally bought the book, either for themselves or as a present for someone they considered important. Whatever the reason, there was thought behind the purchase, and throwing out a book to me is like throwing away that thought. I like to think that when I buy a second hand book, that that original thought is being honoured and is being complemented by a new one.
To me, a book is a thing of beauty, and the culmination of much effort on the part of the author. It is a window into another world, real or imagined. Maybe a window into another time. Take for example "Air Power", by Stephen Budiansky. This was a ripping read about the development of the aeroplane as a weapon of war that I never knew existed. I found it a fantastic holiday read for $10. A 518 page first edition hard cover in pristine condition. Not to everyones taste I wouldn't think, but a great example of a quality read on a topic I enjoy for next to nothing.
The question I would like to ask is, "Are books still important today, or are they a thing of the past, a relic from a pre-digitised world?"
I would be interested in hearing your thoughts.
Until next time,
CfB
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