Category Archives: Booking Through Thursday

I’ve asked, in the past, about whether you more often buy your books, or get them from libraries. What I want to know today, is, WHY BUY? Even if you are a die-hard fan of the public library system, I’m betting you have at least ONE permanent resident of your bookshelves in your house. I’m betting that no real book-lover can go through life without owning at least one book. So … why that one? What made you buy the books that you actually own, even though your usual preference is to borrow and return them? If you usually buy your books, tell me why. Why buy instead of borrow? Why shell out your hard-earned dollars for something you could get for free? Because I can’t keep it if it’s a library book! I am very proud of my collection of books. I display them on my shelves with pride, I show them to people, I talk about books… I love it all. There is something special about owning a lovely story with a gorgeous cover. Every time I glance across my shelves I see something that brings back a fond memory. Some books I don’t intend on keeping, so I may borrow them from work, friends, or the library. However, I do tend to want to keep a lot of my books. Maybe it’s greedy… but at least then I can lend them to friends when I gush about the book. “Oh you HAVE to read it!” and then [...]

Deb, who runs Booking Through Thursday, is celebrating her birthday!! Happy Birthday Deb! It has inspired today’s question: What, if any, memorable or special book have you ever gotten as a present? Birthday or otherwise. What made it so notable? The person who gave it? The book itself? The “gift aura?” I’ve gotten a lot of books for my birthday, holidays, etc. They are always a huge part of our wish lists in our family. When we were kids my parents would suggest we put books, movies, and CDs that we were interested in (easy for Uncles and cousins), as well as one “big” gift from them. However, I have to say that my favourite gift is a book I read when I was about 10 or 12 called “The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle“. I initially discovered this book in my Elementary School library and for my 16th birthday I asked for a copy. I absolutely love the story, and would definitely recommend it to all young girls because it has a strong female lead!

Are you a spine breaker? Or a dog-earer? Do you expect to keep your books in pristine condition even after you have read them? Does watching other readers bend the cover all the way round make you flinch or squeal in pain? [Suggested by Mariel] It makes me sad when people bend the covers, break the spines, and dog-ear pages. I mean, some general wear and tear is to be expected, but you don’t need to abuse the book. Everyone likes to read books that look pretty and are nice to hold, not feel like you’re holding something that lives on the street. Am I being too bitchy about this? Pristine isn’t necessary, but neither is destroyed. I like to keep my books in a decent condition — I use bookmarks, only open them as far as is comfortable to read, and I try not to throw them about (although I toss them in my purse on occassion).