Calling All Bibliophiles
I'm not sure when my love affair with books began, but it has been one of the only true and constant passions of my life. Reading has been the most transformational action of my 38 years of life. What is it about the written word that is so engaging to readers like me? One of my college professors seemed to unlock the mystery when she observed, "Jerome, you love ideas." Dr. Patricia Popelka's observation was spot on although I had never really given the matter much thought at all.
I guess I was always aware of my love for books. Some of my friends even labeled me a literary snob, referring to my rejection of fluff in favor of more meritous fiction. More careful examination might move one to question whose standards were employed to determine which books were worthy of my attention. That, however, is a discussion for another time. At any rate, it is obvious that I love to read books that are provocative and that have something to say.
Books have always been a huge part of my life. As a child, I looked forward to weekly trips to the library. I would always borrow as many books as I was allowed to take out at one time. I would always examine the signature card (before the days of computerized systems) to see who else had read the book before I had. For certain beloved books, my own signature would often appear multiple times.
As a college student, I took a part-time job as a bookseller at Waldenbooks. I held that job for more than 13 years, and I loved every minute of it. I loved being around the books. I loved talking with the customers and my co-workers about what we were all reading. And, I loved being able to buy all the books I wanted at a discount.
Over the years, I have formed a number of beliefs about books, a philosophy if you will. I have discovered that I don't find books, but instead books find me. I've had the uncanny experience of reading a book that speaks to me so profoundly and in a way that is so in sync with what is going on in my life that I begin to think that books have a life and psychic abilities all their own. Oftentimes, I will begin reading a book and find that I cannot get past page 30. That is always the indicator for me that it is not time for that particular book. I simply put it back on the shelf and choose another. I sometimes begin two or three books before I settle on the one that I need to read at any given time. I usually come back to the discarded book at a later time and devour it. Timing is everything.
Reading is one of my lifes greates pleasures. I have come to realize that books are truly doors of discovery, allowing us to experience entire universes of thought. Reading for me is very much a spiritual practice. Books have led me to profound understandings of myself, others, and our world. Cicero said, "A room without books is like a body without a soul." I could not agree more!
Fellow readers...check out these awesome websites for bibliophiles.
www.shelfari.com and www.reviewparty.com
My favorite books of all time...
My Name is Asher Lev-- Chaim Potok
To Kill a Mockingbird--Harper Lee
The Little Prince-- Antoine de Saint-Exupery
The Prophet--Kahlil Gibran
Pride and Prejudice--Jane Austen
Writing Down the Bones--Natalie Goldberg
Currently reading...
I'm not sure when my love affair with books began, but it has been one of the only true and constant passions of my life. Reading has been the most transformational action of my 38 years of life. What is it about the written word that is so engaging to readers like me? One of my college professors seemed to unlock the mystery when she observed, "Jerome, you love ideas." Dr. Patricia Popelka's observation was spot on although I had never really given the matter much thought at all.
I guess I was always aware of my love for books. Some of my friends even labeled me a literary snob, referring to my rejection of fluff in favor of more meritous fiction. More careful examination might move one to question whose standards were employed to determine which books were worthy of my attention. That, however, is a discussion for another time. At any rate, it is obvious that I love to read books that are provocative and that have something to say.
Books have always been a huge part of my life. As a child, I looked forward to weekly trips to the library. I would always borrow as many books as I was allowed to take out at one time. I would always examine the signature card (before the days of computerized systems) to see who else had read the book before I had. For certain beloved books, my own signature would often appear multiple times.
As a college student, I took a part-time job as a bookseller at Waldenbooks. I held that job for more than 13 years, and I loved every minute of it. I loved being around the books. I loved talking with the customers and my co-workers about what we were all reading. And, I loved being able to buy all the books I wanted at a discount.
Over the years, I have formed a number of beliefs about books, a philosophy if you will. I have discovered that I don't find books, but instead books find me. I've had the uncanny experience of reading a book that speaks to me so profoundly and in a way that is so in sync with what is going on in my life that I begin to think that books have a life and psychic abilities all their own. Oftentimes, I will begin reading a book and find that I cannot get past page 30. That is always the indicator for me that it is not time for that particular book. I simply put it back on the shelf and choose another. I sometimes begin two or three books before I settle on the one that I need to read at any given time. I usually come back to the discarded book at a later time and devour it. Timing is everything.
Reading is one of my lifes greates pleasures. I have come to realize that books are truly doors of discovery, allowing us to experience entire universes of thought. Reading for me is very much a spiritual practice. Books have led me to profound understandings of myself, others, and our world. Cicero said, "A room without books is like a body without a soul." I could not agree more!
Fellow readers...check out these awesome websites for bibliophiles.
www.shelfari.com and www.reviewparty.com
My favorite books of all time...
My Name is Asher Lev-- Chaim Potok
To Kill a Mockingbird--Harper Lee
The Little Prince-- Antoine de Saint-Exupery
The Prophet--Kahlil Gibran
Pride and Prejudice--Jane Austen
Writing Down the Bones--Natalie Goldberg
Currently reading...
posted by Bohemedude's Page | 11:21 AM
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