Though in recent past I've been able to go to my shelves, pull down three or four books, and give someone a complete answer with example and citations for some school work. "Oh!," they gasped. "It's just like a real library!"

Uh, yeah.

A friend of mine was talking about Borders' summer reading list (buy three, get one free), and how she was just noting the names of the books so she could read them. She mentioned On the Road, and I said, "Oh, I have that," and grabbed it for from the bookshelf. Then she said Siddhartha, and I said, "I have that too," and got it for her as well. It was pretty awesome.

I need all those books right there where I can look at them and feel the weight of their words and knowledge and stories and wisdom.

It's like we're crows and books are shiny things.

When I was travelling, I'd send books that I'd finished to my parents' house rather than sell them or carry them around with me. I must have sent home four or five boxes in less than a year. It's like MM said: I just like having them around. It makes my house feel like my home. I remember when I was a personal assistant a few years ago, and I couldn't figure out why I always felt a little uneasy in my boss's house, until I realized it was because she had no books. No books!

A 2002 Census Bureau study shows that only 56.6 of all American adults surveyed read a book of any kind in the previous year,

Only 56 and a half adults? Man, some of the Buffistas are NOT pulling their weight.

Hey, I'm the .6! Now if only I could finish a damn book.

Hey, you know what would motivate you? A Book Club!

ducks

I'm saddened but not surprised by the Census numbers, and I bet Internet time has something to do with the drop. I know being online takes away from reading time for me, anyhow...

But the thought of all those homes without books makes me incredibly sad.

I finally weeded out the college reading (the stuff I knew I would never read again) last year, because it had been 5+ years since I'd touched it. Also, I needed the space. Now, I need the space again, but I know my books and am not ready to give any more up. Sadly, those of you who have seen my apartment know there's really noplace to put another bookcase. So I am doubling up in earnest.

(Except, I need a location schedule so that I can quickly find what's in the behind row. Or rotate regularly.)

The other option is replacing the Elderly Tippy Bookcases of Doom entirely, and finding shelving that is even taller (and less tippy). Or colonizing my flatmate's bookcase.

Hey, you know what would motivate you? A Book Club!

And PC wins today's "Flirting with Disaster" award. I suppose I should check in on Lightbulbs and see how it's going.

Hey, you know what would motivate you? A Book Club!

That's truly a novel idea.