I did it. What did I do you ask? Not only did I go to the library, but I borrowed four books. That's right, I borrowed books from a library. How novel of me. You see, I'm a buyer. I like being able to dog ear pages, write in the margins, loan them to friends and generally like seeing them sitting on my bookshelves for eternity as dust forms around their yellowing spine. Today I broke from my comfort zone (what that is, I don't really know) by renewing my library card and then took out the much blogged about A History of Reading by Alberto Manguel, Marginalia by H.J. Jackson, The Girl in the Glass by Jeffrey Ford and Too Loud a Solitude by Bohumil Hrabal.
Thanks to Dorothy at Of Books and Bicycles for the for the Manguel book. I already know I'll dig it.
4 comments:
I'm a buyer too, although I go to the library sometimes. But ... what if I want to reread something? I do sometimes end up wanting to take another look at some of the books I've gotten from the library, so I think I'm generally right to buy, although I like the idea of free access to books.
I'm a buyer too but I can't afford them all so the library is wonderful place.
I read Marginalia a few years back and loved it. Jackson has several other bookish books that I have tried to find without success (internet book buying is a last resort).
I've also read the Hrabal. Fantastic book. And I love the title. Enjoy!
Dorothy - I love the library and everything to do with. I just like writing in my books and possessing them. Then again, I'll be the first person to lend someone a book and not care if I see it returned. (though of course hoping it is returned...safely.)
Stefanie - I remember reading about Marginalia a few years ago and knew I was interested in it, but los track of it. I still wouldn't have got it if it wasn't on the shelf above Manguel's book. But that's part of the allure of libraries...finding books you weren't looking for.
Do you go the the BPL on Copley Square, the one with the courtyard and the lions at the staircase and the Sargent murals?
That is my favorite library. I go there every time I get to Boston, just to smell the rare-book room and have a coffee in the courtyard. Heaven!
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