To put down a half read book is like living half a love affair. You may have gone through some of the joys, some of the heartache but you haven’t lived it all. You’re not able to put it down and look back at it all; maybe smile at it, more than likely miss it but if you haven’t gone through it all then you’ll never be able to say you’ve lived it.
A finished book sits on your shelf like an old friend, with his wrinkled spine, a head full of shared memories, worn but so loved. You think about where you read it, I pick up an already read book and not only am I in the world of the book but in the world I once inhabited. Today I picked up The Hobbit for the first time since I was read it when I was at school and there I was eight years old hidden under the sheets as Smaug first reared his head. I have got into the habits of underlining parts of books that resonate with me. I look through them now and remember how I was feeling when I literally put pen to paper.
I have a pile of unfinished books on their own special shelf. They sit there like reserves at a football match waiting for their time to shine. Maybe it’s time to pick one off the shelf and start the love affair all over again, one page at a time.
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This is great to see the way these books are photographed. ‘Diary Of A Nobody’ seems intriguing! Will check it out …
Do its one of my favourite books, very 19th century humour. Very funny and touching
I have a bit of a different view of my unfinished pile. I feel a pang of shame as if they’re judging me…good grief…(good luck finishing them)
Oh that too! I have them right behind my computer as if they are peeping over it to check that I’m working and if I’m not why am I not reading them?
Reblogged this on JimMorrisonDreamDiaries and commented:
NOW get that unread book out!
Wow so inspiring, beautifully written!!!
I have started my love affair with books again this year, like a new year resolution, I have a set shelf full of books and my aim is to finish them all by the end of the year 🙂
Thank you so much! That is an amazing resolution how many books are there?
15, but 3 are textbooks, ha ha! I love to learn 😉
My sister will soooo recognise this. I love how a book is your own little world and I think your description is just so beautifully put.
that’s really kind, I hope your sister did.
Well, I finally read it to her (in my best English accent), and she almost cried, haha!
Wow your sister blogs too?! Thats amazing
I did! I think I might frame this. Beautiful, beautiful.
If you do post a photo and I’ll put it up on here!
Old books already read are like old friends waiting for you to come back to them for a little reminiscence of good times together. I’ve finally given in and started reading books on my Nook, I didn’t think I would like it, but it is working for me. I do have my old friends on a book shelf that will always stay with me.
I do have a Kindle but I just much prefer reading a book, turning over the corners of pages I like. Also you cant beat that feeling of closing a book after you’ve finished it.
I don’t do books, as bad as that sounds I find reading really hard work and so not enjoyable.
I can completely see where you’re coming from here though, my eldest two daughters devour books and there’s nothing better than listening to them discus their latest reads, especially when they’re sharing with me the story. 🙂
That sounds like a perfect way to experience a book without reading it, especially when you aren’t a fan of books. Everyone has their own way of experiencing books your’s is through your daughters.
Nicely put. I felt a pang of affection for my bookshelves. If only I had more time to attend to them. My unread books are a buffer, security blanket… new friends to be made along side old faithfuls, who now that you know them are like family. Interesting range of comments which gave me to conclude I am more comfortable around people who read, and/or who are cat/dog people – a traditional demarcation.
Thank you! I love my bookshelves and the ones that aren’t read always seem to be closer to the edge then others. So it is cat people or dog people?
Hmmm…. both. I think it’s a measure of character of how people react to companion animals and the likely accompanying fur, drool and direct inquisitiveness 😉 And it applies in reverse – I’ve seen the unspoken look – oh, you’re one of those people: dogs, cats and books. I wear my glasses and a smattering of fur with pride 🙂
Me too! Currently have wirehaired Daschund on my lap and a Labrador at my feet. Glasses on too just to top it off
I wish I had a better memory for books. Very few stay with me in the way that you suggest. But I LOVE it when I pick up a new book and really start to inhabit it’s world. 🙂
I do struggle which is why I underline so much
I haven’t made the move to kindle yet and don’t plan on it any time soon, especially since I have so many unread books on my shelf. I’m really trying to reduce that number though…
I gave up on my Kindle because you just cannot beat the feel of a book
What books have you got on your shelf?
It’s so true. We do remember where we read them and how we felt while doing so. I picked up an old book, that I had once loved, and started to read it again. I had to stop. it was dated and the writing was no longer interesting or rebellious. Too much had happened in society and the book was truly passé. Some books are only meant to be there for you at certain times in your life, while others never leave but instead stay with you forever.
I really agree with that some books are only meant for parts of your life, I had a book I read every year religiously and stopped for about 5 years and then thought I would read it again this year and it just didn’t feel right anymore.
“A finished book sits on your shelf like an old friend, with his wrinkled spine, a head full of shared memories, worn but so loved.”
So beautifully put, and just how I see my shelves packed with worn/loved books. What a wonderful love-letter to your personal library.
Thats a lovely comment thank you!
Also huge congrats on becoming Freshly Pressed! Welcome to the club!
I think this is one of the best things you’ve ever written. Why this didn’t get Freshly Pressed is BEYOND me
Aw that’s so kind Katie. I’ve been freshly pressed twice so I think I may have hit my quota but hearing comments like yours is just as good so thank you
Reblogged this on The Writer's Workshop Blog.
HOW IS THIS NOT FRESHLY PRESSED!!! What is up WordPress get your sh*t together
Haha thanks! It’s had a lot of comments and that’s enough for me