Books Can Delight, Educate, Inform, As Well As Be A Source Of Pleasure

Books

I think that most of us would agree that books play a part in our life. Some capture our imagination, while others we find cannot be put down until they have been read from cover to cover.

Some seem to really talk to us, while others make no impression upon us at all. You can bet which ones we prefer to read.

Some we buy because of the cover, while others because the story sounds intriguing or inviting.

Perhaps the worst thing that can happen to our new acquisition, apart from being burned or shredded, is to be bought only to be then left in pristine condition gathering dust on a shelf. This may be OK for a first edition, though we should avoid the dust treatment, but bought but not read or used is a fountain or source of entertainment, enjoyment, wisdom or knowledge that sadly remains untapped.

A thorny question is whether we should leave and keep our copies in pristine, as new condition. Or whether we should not mind bending back the pages or other methods of manipulating the pages to make the reading easier.

For myself, I must confess to making notes or underlining or highlighting copies that I read. Particularly those from which I hope to gain some wisdom or knowledge from, rather than reading for entertainment.

I do remember having a problem with revision when I was at school or college. I could remember which page or side of the book certain things were written on - and this helps me to remember the contents - but alas my phobia was that I had trouble getting down to reading these textbooks in the first place.

I certainly feel that there is a magic in reading. The author or the publisher has put much effort into the production, a bit like a director and a movie, and I feel that when they are read some of the effort, love care and attention can rob off on us the reader.

Recently, with my writing, I found that I'm now using copies that I purchased ten to twelve years ago. For most of that time they've been on my shelf and not used. But now they're coming into their own.

Books I do feel can have a life of their own and a special meaning for each one of us. Sure they are as it were bits of life frozen in time - a story or piece of information.

With a magic and the connection with me really exists is where I come across one and it feels like this is the only copy. This copy has been made specially for me and no one else.

All best,
Martin