For those who have been following these notes about writing, you know that I am in the process of moving. That, as mentioned, involves the shifting, sorting and weeding of a great number of books. Having to decide—because I must—which books to keep, and which to donate to a place that could make use of them, reminds me of an interview I heard some years ago.
An academic writer (alas, I do not recall the name) was describing his late father’s love of books. Indeed, the old man had his own library, where he kept his books, those which he particularly loved, and which he had read and reread. Late in this man’s life, he became blind, and was no longer able to read his beloved collection. His son would see him, however, in his library, putting his fingers to now this book, now that book. The old man knew them well enough to recognize the titles by touch. Thus, he would stand motionless for a long while, hands on a particular book, and reread it, as best he could, by memory.
6 thoughts on “Beloved Books”
This is poignant… and I know it’s only books but books have been my comrades… my friends… a place to find solace… and learning for nearly five decades. As much as I enjoy the practicality of my Kindle and ebooks there is nothing like holding a well-loved book in my hands. In them there are traces of me through the years.
“Thus, he would stand motionless for a long while, hands on a particular book, and reread it, as best he could, by memory.”
Thanks, Avi.
How beautiful is that?! Love this post.
We, too, have just been through the process of sorting books (for our move), so this particularly resonates. We ended up in Maine. Where goest thou, Avi?
Dear Sharon: We are going up to the high mountains, here in Colorado. Into the forest at the top of Elk Valley, between Hahns Peak and Iron Mountain. I’ll post a picture when we get there. No longer have your number. Maybe you have mine. Love to catch up.
That is a lovely image. My father used to give me used books—very old ones—as birthday gifts, and because he treated them as precious things, I did too. It was heartbreaking to have to give away many of his hundreds, maybe thousands, of books after he died. They were living things to him—and dear friends.
Avi: Do keep in touch. I believe getting rid of books is one of the hardest things to do.
For some of us books are our beloveds. Thank you for sharing a lovely story that might be any one of us.
Gillian