Without books,
God is silent,
justice dormant,
natural science at a stand,
philosophy lame,
letters dumb,
and all things involved in darkness.
– Thomas V. Bartholin
The “October Resolution” has been going well. I have managed to see the dentist, up the ante where exercise is concerned, ensure that the spirit is up even if the soul is weary and even managed to iron my clothes well in advance. This is simply fantastic! I dare say that for once, it looks like I will manage to stick to the resolve and resolutions… until yesterday that is.
As mentioned, one of my resolutions was not to purchase more books until I have read the pile of books stacked on my dining table which was culled from the to-be-read-soon bookshelf.
Let me explain, my intentions were noble. it was necessary for me to set foot into a bookshop because i wanted to look for 2 books:
Book 1 – a special book as a going away present for L, the fellow bibliophile bibliomaniac.
Book 2 - Umberto Eco’s “how to travel with a salmon”
as a token of peace gift for a constantly-traveling- friend who despite my sometimes unnecessary (just somtimes unnecessary) insults on his capitalist lifestyle, continues to be a friend and wags not his finger when he sees me imbibing champers by the magnum.
I didn’t want any of the normal bookstores. So together with sidekick Tonto, we decided to check out “How & Why”, located on a second floor shop lot in SS2, PJ. the book shop is trez cool, they have interesting and picturesque books - mainly on graphics and design. Even though the books i was hunting for were obviously not on site, we spent almost an hour there. We camped at a table by a pillar and flipped through the pages of gorgeous oversized books and poured over the lovely little ones. we laughed hysterically over some of the hilarious signs depicted in a book dedicated to signs. Excellent.
Tonto had to head off for tea and so I continued the search on my own. Walked into "How & Why" branch no 2 in Bangsar Village (we were informed by staff in the 1st shop that they had recently opened a second shop there and that this branch would have more unusual books.) "How & Why" No 2 did indeed have more, all very yummy but unfortunately none quite fit the bill of what I was looking for.
Then, I went to the generic bookshops. didn’t find the books there either. or perhaps there were too many people hovering around and i felt overwhlemed. Book shopping is sacred, crowds scare them as they do me.
Last stop – silverfish. They’re bound to have something! The only problem is of course, every time I poke my head in there I come out, credit card bruised and arms laden with books. All well and fine except that it does not augur well with October resolutions.
xx
I firmly believe that books have a way of getting you to read them at a *suitable time. You don’t choose the book, the book chooses you and finds you. Sometimes, they sit inert on the shelf, quite content to be idle. Then something happens and they demand to be read *now*. the conspiracy begins: an event occurs, a thought transpires which set things in motion. then, with the help of their friends, the books lurch out, just a bit, just enough to entice and get your attention. Once the bait lands, that is it, you’re hooked. You reach out for it, read the first page and all at once, the compulsion to read takes over.
the present world fades and you’re transported elsewhere. Social obligations are shelved, birthdays of important people take a backseat (L, isnt that you!), nothing exist but the book. You’re flipping pages, eager to read the next line and yet savouring the words that has just moved from the heart to the mind.
xx
Before books get you to read them, they plot to get into your homes. Knowing their cunning plans, I flitted around the shop, daring the books not to call out my name. I skirted around shelves and allowed my eyes to only dart at titles and authors - none of the loving, lingering look of pre 1st October days and definitely no touching! As all (book) lovers know, the touch awakens, and before you know it, the hunger, the need to possess is so overwhelming that you surrender .
xx
Did not manage to find any book for Bibliomaniac L – nothing calls out to me, for him. Will have to keep looking. Shame as L is leaving today. Will just have to mail it across.
Did not manage to find Eco’s how to travel with a salmon. However, have found a sole (sorry cant resist the pun) copy of his “5 moral pieces”
which I covert but feel necessary to purchase and give away.
xx
I couldn’t do it.
They teased, flirted, and danced around me.
They used their edges as leverage and pushed themselves out from the straight line.
They flapped and winked.
And I went weak.
I couldn’t say no.
xx
There are 3 additions to the pile on my dining table:
1. Milan Kundera – Testaments betrayed
2. John Gray –Straw Dogs
3. Leo Tolstoy - The Kingdom of God and Peace Essays
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To salve my october conscience i have been dipping into my perennial favourite, a book other bibliomaniac will enjoy:
A Passion for Books, edited by Harold Rabinowitz and Rob Kaplan, 1999 ISBN 0-8129-3113-0
xx
A thought - L, you crazy biblomaniac.
have you a got a copy of this must have, must read book?
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