What Do You Do with Too Many Books? Dr. Ed Iannuccilli
Monday, September 21, 2020
A few years ago, because our shelves were bulging, we decided to purge some books. Yes, I know, it is a painful, sometimes agonizing, decision. I was not quite as reluctant as Diane, but nevertheless, we undertook the task. Though we had read all the books we planned to purge, many more than once, we kept them over the years because they had become like old friends, and some we planned to read again. But, it had to be done. We were out of space, and there was no way I would box the books and put them just anyplace. They deserved better.
The “to go” books were not so numerous that our task was impossible, but to do it, we had to sit by the shelves, where we picked off one book at a time. It was difficult because it was so enjoyable to rediscover what those shelves embraced.
With touching each book came the need to open, and to open meant strumming the pages, and with each strum came a stop and the time-delaying curse, re-reading. So often we found stuff between the pages; a turned-down page here, a signature there, a gift book personalized, gems tucked away such as notes, tickets, photographs, receipts, old bookmarks, a tattered spine and a smell. Ah, the smells; musty, vanilla, dank, newspaper, toasty, glue, decaying paper and ink. More than things to read, the books became friends in the joys and memories they rekindled.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTI had a brilliant physician friend who read a paperback book a day, everywhere, when he had a moment; on the elevator, in the cafeteria, in the lounge, waiting for the next case. One day I watched him do something surprising, interesting and painful. As he read a section, he tore if off and threw it away. “How do you do that?”
“If I didn’t they would take over my home.” How very tough to do I imagined.
Books are so important because more than imparting knowledge, they not only represent moments of our lives, but also serve great purpose by improving brain function, enhancing imagination, refining vocabulary, relieving stress, affording comfort, entertaining, and bringing joy. They strengthen writing abilities. Nowadays, I can attest to the fact that they help with sleep, anytime. Books give us pleasure, taking us to foreign places, down the street or in the nearby woods.
They are storehouses for certain moments of our lives.
Well, we purged, and what do you think happened? Yes, correct. The shelves became a vacuum and we filled them, sometimes with a book we had tossed and found again in a used book store.
It’s a useful exercise to clear one’s bookshelves periodically (I think), but don’t let anyone talk you into getting rid of your books if you don’t want to. Keep those treasures. They will always have a place.
They are mementos to preserve until the very last.
Can you do it? Can you purge your books?
Dr. Ed Iannuccilli is the author of three popular memoirs, “Growing up Italian; Grandfather’s Fig Tree and Other Stories”, “What Ever Happened to Sunday Dinner” and “My Story Continues: From Neighborhood to Junior High.” Learn more here.
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