Dear Diary:
More books arrived today, many of them undocumented immigrants. Of course, I did not turn them away. I have a big heart and sufficient resources at present to accept them. But I feel the first flickers of concern.
The book population in my house seems to be growing almost exponentially. Already the shelving resources are being strained. Certainly I can double or even triple-up for a while. But what if the present pace continues, or even increases? What will I do then?
There is a further concern as well, a much bigger concern. I haven't had time to get to know all the new books in my home. And I'm beginning to hear rumblings of discontent. I hear whispers, questions about why some books get shelved while others are stacked on the floor, or even placed in boxes in closets. Why are some selected for reading and others not? Dissatisfaction appears to be growing among my population of tomes.
Lately, I have sensed an underlying hostility in some of the whispers. They often cease when I enter the room. Up until this point, I have kept a pretty tight leash on my collection. But I'm beginning to sense a revolution brewing. I would round up the malcontents and send them to book mooch if I could identify them reliably. But I cannot bear to punish one book for the sins of another.
And so I wonder.... How long before they strike?
Fun! Brilliant!
ReplyDeleteShow them your blow torch - that will keep the natives from getting restless.
ReplyDeleteWe read then then donate them to the library now. It has to be a pretty special book to get a permanent place in our house.
ReplyDeleteCloudia, thankee
ReplyDeleteAlex, I soon will be at that threatening stage
Patti, I never get rid of a book I've read or intend to read. I've done so in the past and found out, every time, that I later needed to refer to that book for some reason or another. Eventually I will run out of room, though
I have been blessed to be able to maintain two libraries for the past 30 years—one at my office and one at home. I wonder what happens in another decade when I’m retired... Like you, I do show favoritism to certain books in my collection.
ReplyDeleteSage, I'm the same. Books at home and at work. I couldn't get all those in my house probably.
ReplyDeleteAwesome, Charles, a la your unruly population of tomes.
ReplyDeleteWhen in tomes, do as the tomans do . . . ~ Monsieur Roman à clef.
LOL! I hate to think what kind of uprisings and midnight retributions would've happened at my house already if books were sentient and resentful. :P
ReplyDeleteAngie
Perhaps a coup is in the from of Dick and Jane primers until you acquiesce?
ReplyDeleteErik, lol
ReplyDeleteAngie, I only want to be loved by my books, but alas
G. B. probably their first step.
I se a house with creaky wooden floor and book shelves, full of books, some magazines, some orderly, some haphazard, and the pages move as lips as they whisper and float through the air, spreading their discontent *grin* I *love* this
ReplyDeleteShadow, I'm gonna have to write this story
ReplyDelete