Thursday, August 26, 2010

Books vs Boxes

Today I added a bookshelf complete with a few books to my blog- my web world. My wife wouldn't find this unusual as I can't help but continually add to my book collection in real life as well. I love books.

It's not like that TV show 'Hoarders' where people have an uncontrollable habit of collecting and having their stuff overwhelm their house - but I do have to admit to having boxes of books in the garage. Today was the start of the Keystone neighborhood garage sale and so garage sales were everywhere. And of course I bought some books- but just two which I thought showed great restraint on my part.

Today's purchases included 'Johnny Tremain' an old classic from my grade school days and 'The Good Life' by Charles Colson who writes with great insight. Getting through a Colson book takes me a long time so it may be awhile before I get to it. In the meantime I'm looking forward to a reread of 'Tremain'.

I have this dream that one day I'll turn one of the kids rooms into a library and all my books will regain their freedom. I think books hate boxes. A number of my books reside on living room shelves and bedroom dressers and nightstands- that is till their number grows to big and I am asked to get a box. Sherri's uncle Tom owns 'The Antiquarium' a used bookstore that used to be an Old Market icon. He moved it to Nebraska City and converted an old school and gym into one giant bookstore. What a great life Tom has living in and amongst books where boxes aren't needed!

I'm sure some of you know what I'm talking about. Some of you love books and have way more of them than you'll ever read. You keep old books because you may want to read that one again- even knowing you never will. Some of you understand the thrill of finishing a great read. A few of us know what its like to finish a book we had to work to get through- for me that was 'Atonement'. I think every reader secretly thinks about writing their own book like my friend Bob Huerter (see 'Irish Twins' on my bookshelf). For some of us books are so captivating that we captivate as many as we can on shelves and in boxes. We can't help ourselves.

I also have a collection of sorts of 'the Good Book'- Bibles. Some are in different versions, some are study Bibles, some are just a single page, leaves that are hundreds of years old. I like to take them out and open them up and read 'em. They all do really contain in my opinion 'the greatest story ever told'. Plus I have to admit I like a story with a happy ending.

Make sure your Bible isn't gathering dust on a shelf or worse yet in a box somewhere. As my friend Dave says, 'the best version of the Bible is the one that gets read!' I hope to keep my blog bookshelf updated with what's on my reading agenda. I'd like to hear what you are reading as well. Time to stop writing and start reading- have a great weekend!

Blest Regards,
kp

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