Books Define Me.

So, in all the brouhaha of having to move, I have been slowly divesting myself of stuff I don’t need.

Again, the books are a bit of a challenge. I know I have a hard time getting rid of them, and I started to think about why.

My books define me. They are a mirror that tells me about myself.

I look at my bookshelves and can confidently say to myself, “Hey, I am the kind of person who knows about the history of Gothic architecture. Yes, I do know a lot about the Canadian fishing industry. I am fiercely literate and enjoy poetry and mythology as well as science fiction, fantasy, mystery and romance novels. I have a distinct fondness for British humour, both historical and modern, and I understand the development and history of fairy tales. I garden, I cook, and I can identify wild birds and seashore creatures. I know a lot about European social history.”

If I gave some of those books away, would I be losing a part of my self as well?

categories Some Stuff | May 14, 2007

4 Comments to “Books Define Me.”

  1. By Arwen, May 14, 2007 @ 11:11 pm

    Today, I had people over who did the book person thing and looked at my books. I am happy that I have my books and that they reflect me.

    I reflect them.

    I don’t know that you’d lose yourself if you lost a book – it’s in there – but you’d lose the ability to remind yourself. I’ve just externalized my mental map.

    Of course, I can’t remember my children’s names, so I’m a litle dependent.

  2. By Liz, May 14, 2007 @ 11:38 pm

    You can call me to remind you of your children’s names.

    Can I call you to ask if I saw a gumboot chiton, or the exact wording of a joke about oral sex in ‘She Stoops to Conquer’?

    You’re right. It is an externalized mental map. The jury’s still out on how much I need that map. I mean, not many people ask me about the things I know. If no one benefits, or needs the facts I know, how useful are they?

  3. By Beth, May 16, 2007 @ 10:05 pm

    If they give you pleasure, or security, or help your brain to grow, then they are useful facts.

  4. By Liz, May 17, 2007 @ 10:00 am

    Beth, they do all three. That settles it. I’m keeping them.

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