Thank you Eddie. Reading books created a world where a little black girl could travel the world and be free. How many of us heard at night, “stop reading that book and go to sleep!” We kept reading. 📕
I rarely re-read books but in the late 1990s, Catfish and Mandala by Andrew Pham struck both my daughter and I as one of the best books we’d ever read. A month ago I got a worn used copy an reread it. Sent a copy to my daughter. We still agree it is one of the best books we’ve ever read.
What a lovely essay, Eddie. I also suffer from bibliophilia 🤣 Like you, I caught the bug as a child. We didn’t have many books at home but every week I’d go with my older sister to the library to find something to read. The library sold books that were taken out of the catalog and I acquired a few of my first books that way, including an anthology of famous stories from around the world. Every year I’d also beg my parents for money when the scholastic fair came to my school (we’re the same age, so I’m sure you remember those!). I’d only receive enough for one book so I had to choose wisely! As a college professor also, I can relate to the rereading of certain books that I teach and the layers upon layers of highlights and scribbles. (Most recently Juan Rulfo’s Pedro Paramo that somehow surprises me each time I reread it.) Like you, books are my happy place. I think it was Borges who said “I cannot sleep unless I’m surrounded by books” and in my case, that is 100% true! Thanks for this essay- our daily news is so grim it’s nice to remember the beautiful things in life that sustain us. 🙏🏼
ah, The Sword of Shannara, still remember when my father got that for me, for christmas, and the followup of the elfstones , [with that giant falling back battle with the demons]......but the first perhaps has elements of america, where the various different races , all had their own issues with each other , and found it hard to work together ..and the power of truth....it hurts ....but is necessary to move forward
Oh how I wish... I wish I could read as easily as so many do! If I walked into Dr. Cornel West's office space and seen the books from floor to ceiling the angst in my chest, the anxiety -- and yes, intimidation of scholarly-esque books would show in beads of sweat starting to accumulate on my forehead. I read so slowly. Even today. I don't have dyslexia or anything like that, I just...read slowly. But I read. I do. Because it is magical. It all consuming and although a bit overwhelming for me - also so very satisfying when I'm done! I have only read one book, in one sitting - over a few days and that was The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. It's not my favorite book or anything (though a very good book!), but it's the one I remember reading "quickly" in "Carmen terms". Thank you for explaining "tsundoku" - mounds of guilt just disappeared from my piles of books I know I will read... even if slowly someday. THAT just made me smile!
Thanks for this term, tsundoku. My entire life with books has resembled this method: stacking books everywhere, and buying books to read later. I've even found myself stacking library books, especially when late fees have been waived. Enjoyed this read.
..........a few years ago, I began creating a book list on Amazon of books that I wanted to purchase - photographers, fashion, history. Each person that did a webinar during the time of change, I put them on the list. As people passed away, I pulled their names and sought their collections. As the memoirs and autobiographies got published (Viola, Michelle, Billy, Andre) I listed them -
When the winds of change happened and masks were worn less, I remembered that fabulous place in my neighborhood called (wait for it) the LIBRARY (lol) - I began ordering online like it was Instacart. I'd walk over and gather a cart full of books depending on the season. Summer brings poetry and American history of the 1800s. Fall brings studies on blues music and plays. Winter takes me to the memoirs of Jan Yoor and his time with the Gypsies or the great Barbara Chase Riboud and her travels throughout Europe. My Amazon list slowly dissolved and my now curated list of MUST HAVE books gets purchased at local booksellers in my area!
Your writing today speaks volumes and reminds us all how precious it is to fully understand the power and healing properties of books! Please read that book and let us know what it looks (and feels) like :)
(File this under 'the wonder of RE-reading':
My adult daughter is going back to Parable of the Sower. She asked me "did you know that Parable of the Sower is based on something in the Bible?" You see, she had just thought, you know, 'cool name, science fiction book' I eagerly shared "yes - it's that story of the seeds being sown in different environments and their results". We both marveled that this new understanding will give her a deeper/richer perspective on Octavia Butler's prophetic book. It is now an entirely NEW book for us both!)
The same! As a daughter of educators—a family of educators—I began reading at a very young age. I remember my joy and sense of accomplishment when I finished one of my father’s old textbooks...comprehending every word. And, I too, have many books that are unread; I’ll get to them. But a new book brings joy, a feeling of possibilities with new friends, an expansion of horizons and understanding. ☺️
Books have been my lifeline, since I was very young in the 60’s. I could only imagine what life would be without them. Books are so precious and important to me.
Saw you with Wajahat on Substack. Immediately subscribed/followed. I love books too. I so identified with your thoughts/feelings.
Amen and ase--as Emily Dickinson wrote, "There is no frigate like a book."
Thank you Eddie. Reading books created a world where a little black girl could travel the world and be free. How many of us heard at night, “stop reading that book and go to sleep!” We kept reading. 📕
I love that the Japanese have a name for what I do- stacking books. Tsondoku.
Thank you for the lovely essay on the live of books. !
I rarely re-read books but in the late 1990s, Catfish and Mandala by Andrew Pham struck both my daughter and I as one of the best books we’d ever read. A month ago I got a worn used copy an reread it. Sent a copy to my daughter. We still agree it is one of the best books we’ve ever read.
What a lovely essay, Eddie. I also suffer from bibliophilia 🤣 Like you, I caught the bug as a child. We didn’t have many books at home but every week I’d go with my older sister to the library to find something to read. The library sold books that were taken out of the catalog and I acquired a few of my first books that way, including an anthology of famous stories from around the world. Every year I’d also beg my parents for money when the scholastic fair came to my school (we’re the same age, so I’m sure you remember those!). I’d only receive enough for one book so I had to choose wisely! As a college professor also, I can relate to the rereading of certain books that I teach and the layers upon layers of highlights and scribbles. (Most recently Juan Rulfo’s Pedro Paramo that somehow surprises me each time I reread it.) Like you, books are my happy place. I think it was Borges who said “I cannot sleep unless I’m surrounded by books” and in my case, that is 100% true! Thanks for this essay- our daily news is so grim it’s nice to remember the beautiful things in life that sustain us. 🙏🏼
ah, The Sword of Shannara, still remember when my father got that for me, for christmas, and the followup of the elfstones , [with that giant falling back battle with the demons]......but the first perhaps has elements of america, where the various different races , all had their own issues with each other , and found it hard to work together ..and the power of truth....it hurts ....but is necessary to move forward
Oh how I wish... I wish I could read as easily as so many do! If I walked into Dr. Cornel West's office space and seen the books from floor to ceiling the angst in my chest, the anxiety -- and yes, intimidation of scholarly-esque books would show in beads of sweat starting to accumulate on my forehead. I read so slowly. Even today. I don't have dyslexia or anything like that, I just...read slowly. But I read. I do. Because it is magical. It all consuming and although a bit overwhelming for me - also so very satisfying when I'm done! I have only read one book, in one sitting - over a few days and that was The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. It's not my favorite book or anything (though a very good book!), but it's the one I remember reading "quickly" in "Carmen terms". Thank you for explaining "tsundoku" - mounds of guilt just disappeared from my piles of books I know I will read... even if slowly someday. THAT just made me smile!
Some of us don’t read to finish.
We read to feel.
I read slow too—not from struggle, but because the words ask me to pause.
Thanks for this term, tsundoku. My entire life with books has resembled this method: stacking books everywhere, and buying books to read later. I've even found myself stacking library books, especially when late fees have been waived. Enjoyed this read.
..........a few years ago, I began creating a book list on Amazon of books that I wanted to purchase - photographers, fashion, history. Each person that did a webinar during the time of change, I put them on the list. As people passed away, I pulled their names and sought their collections. As the memoirs and autobiographies got published (Viola, Michelle, Billy, Andre) I listed them -
When the winds of change happened and masks were worn less, I remembered that fabulous place in my neighborhood called (wait for it) the LIBRARY (lol) - I began ordering online like it was Instacart. I'd walk over and gather a cart full of books depending on the season. Summer brings poetry and American history of the 1800s. Fall brings studies on blues music and plays. Winter takes me to the memoirs of Jan Yoor and his time with the Gypsies or the great Barbara Chase Riboud and her travels throughout Europe. My Amazon list slowly dissolved and my now curated list of MUST HAVE books gets purchased at local booksellers in my area!
Your writing today speaks volumes and reminds us all how precious it is to fully understand the power and healing properties of books! Please read that book and let us know what it looks (and feels) like :)
(File this under 'the wonder of RE-reading':
My adult daughter is going back to Parable of the Sower. She asked me "did you know that Parable of the Sower is based on something in the Bible?" You see, she had just thought, you know, 'cool name, science fiction book' I eagerly shared "yes - it's that story of the seeds being sown in different environments and their results". We both marveled that this new understanding will give her a deeper/richer perspective on Octavia Butler's prophetic book. It is now an entirely NEW book for us both!)
Thanks for such a heartfelt post! I Love Books! 📚 You are not alone!
I, too, quite enjoyed Shannara. I just wish I could finish all my books. Maybe if I quit buying? Nah.
I practice tsundoku! I also have been a reader since childhood and am a retired academic librarian. My TBR piles are al around my apartment! 📚📚📚
Yes!!
The same! As a daughter of educators—a family of educators—I began reading at a very young age. I remember my joy and sense of accomplishment when I finished one of my father’s old textbooks...comprehending every word. And, I too, have many books that are unread; I’ll get to them. But a new book brings joy, a feeling of possibilities with new friends, an expansion of horizons and understanding. ☺️
Books have been my lifeline, since I was very young in the 60’s. I could only imagine what life would be without them. Books are so precious and important to me.