How does everyone feel about books?

sisterandcousinandaunt · 09-03-2007, 01:10 PM

I ask because yesterday, after a booksale, there was a guy loading up a truck with books for a dumpster.

A general outcry (and some strategic dumpster diving) rescued them, and now we have to find homes for them. But it hurts me, personally, that anyone would toss nice readable books. Sacriligious, somehow.

Anyone else attached to the things?

***Tessar*** · 09-03-2007, 01:16 PM

Well done!

I feel exactly the same. Especially if it's sort of older books, that are still in good condition.

Now, if the book isn't already mine, and it's in REALLY bad shape, then I'm okay with it being tossed... but I rarely toss mine.

**Nurvingiel** · 09-03-2007, 01:24 PM

Well, at least put the old, wrecked one in the recycling eh? I feel the same way about books. I love them. One of my pet peeves is when people leave books face down instead of using a bookmark, or worse, dog-earing the corners.

katya · 09-03-2007, 04:09 PM

I love books, I love reading. I'm not so much a fan of materialism though. I hate having unnecessary belongings all over the place, and I also feel much happier letting go of my attachment to material things and throwing them out. There are a lot of books that are old, rare, etc. that I would hate to see thrown away but there are a lot of books that really have no reason to stay among us any more. There's plenty of books to go around, we don't need more cluttering shelves and whatnot. Hanging onto attachment is really unhealthy, I think.

That said, I've always been a bit of a romantic and I love books, like actual books, not just for the reading within. I don't think I could throw them out without flinching and I have saved many a book from dumpsterization in my day. I don't think books will ever be completely obsolete. I love the smell of them, cuddling up in bed and reading them.

***Earniel*** · 09-03-2007, 05:27 PM

"Smell is the most powerful trigger to the memory there is. A certain flower or a whiff of smoke can bring up experiences long forgotten. Books smell... musty and rich. The knowledge gained from a computer is... it has no texture, no context. It's there and then it's gone. If it's to last, then the getting of knowledge should be tangible. It should be, um, smelly."

A quote about books that always makes me smile. I like the smell of musty old books, it is indeed a special sort of smell.

If it was good enough to get published, I always feel it is worth something. But much of the value I add to a book depends on the story inside. I treasure the books I like, but I don't really mind getting rid of books that failed to capture my interest, fiction and non-fiction alike. But... it should be disposed of properly, then. Interested friends or the second-hand market is the place where my unwanted books go. Someone out there may just be looking for this particular book. Recycling is the last resort. Simply throwing them away is, well,... Not Done.

brownjenkins · 09-03-2007, 06:55 PM

I love books!

But mostly for the words within. I'm not a big fan of fancy editions, preferring a comfortable paperback that typically gets worn out, tossed, and then replaced, if good. I'm probably on my fifth or sixth copy of Lord of the Rings.

Many classics (i.e. Dickens) probably have enough editions floating around to provide everyone with a copy or two for their bookshelves. I'd feel bad if the words themselves were forever lost but, with the way things are progressing digitally, it's unlikely that any great works will be lost forever, or even the average ones. And, if good enough, they'll continue to be produced in print form as well.

sisterandcousinandaunt · 09-03-2007, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nurvingiel

Well, at least put the old, wrecked one in the recycling eh?

None of them were the least bit wrecked. It's just that our booksale gets more enormous every year, and no one made plans for the leftovers. And not just paperbacks and old text books, either. A pristine copy of Dickens, inscribed by the donor(local historical significance) Uta Hagen, Simon Weisenthal, Bruce Campbell's autobiography, tons of childrens' books, the Norton scores...dozens of paperback mysteries, etc. for light reading, three truckloads destined for the landfill.

Why wasn't someone making a plan, one wonders.

Ingwe · 09-17-2007, 11:48 AM

I have a library full of hundreds, maybe thousands of books. I can't part with any of them really. I've read most of them and some of my friends say I should sale some of them. Honestly, somehow I can't. I don't know if it's OCD or if it's just that it's difficult for me to part with anything.

09-03-2007, 01:10 PM	#1
sisterandcousinandaunt Elf Lord Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 4,535	How does everyone feel about books? I ask because yesterday, after a booksale, there was a guy loading up a truck with books for a dumpster. A general outcry (and some strategic dumpster diving) rescued them, and now we have to find homes for them. But it hurts me, personally, that anyone would toss nice readable books. Sacriligious, somehow. Anyone else attached to the things? __________________ That would be the swirling vortex to another world. Cool. I want one. TMNT No, I'm not emo. I just have a really poor sense of direction. (Thanks to katya for this quote) This is the best news story EVER! http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26087293/ “Often my haste is a mistake, but I live with the consequences without complaint.”...John McCain "I shall go back. And I shall find that therapist. And I shall whack her upside her head with my blanket full of rocks." ...Louisa May

09-03-2007, 05:27 PM	#5
*Earniel* The Chocoholic Sea Elf Administrator Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: N?n in Eilph (Belgium) Posts: 14,363	"Smell is the most powerful trigger to the memory there is. A certain flower or a whiff of smoke can bring up experiences long forgotten. Books smell... musty and rich. The knowledge gained from a computer is... it has no texture, no context. It's there and then it's gone. If it's to last, then the getting of knowledge should be tangible. It should be, um, smelly." A quote about books that always makes me smile. I like the smell of musty old books, it is indeed a special sort of smell. If it was good enough to get published, I always feel it is worth something. But much of the value I add to a book depends on the story inside. I treasure the books I like, but I don't really mind getting rid of books that failed to capture my interest, fiction and non-fiction alike. But... it should be disposed of properly, then. Interested friends or the second-hand market is the place where my unwanted books go. Someone out there may just be looking for this particular book. Recycling is the last resort. Simply throwing them away is, well,... Not Done. __________________ We are not things.

09-03-2007, 06:55 PM	#6
brownjenkins Advocatus Diaboli Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Reality Posts: 3,767	I love books! But mostly for the words within. I'm not a big fan of fancy editions, preferring a comfortable paperback that typically gets worn out, tossed, and then replaced, if good. I'm probably on my fifth or sixth copy of Lord of the Rings. Many classics (i.e. Dickens) probably have enough editions floating around to provide everyone with a copy or two for their bookshelves. I'd feel bad if the words themselves were forever lost but, with the way things are progressing digitally, it's unlikely that any great works will be lost forever, or even the average ones. And, if good enough, they'll continue to be produced in print form as well. __________________ Your reality, sir, is lies and balderdash and I'm delighted to say that I have no grasp of it whatsoever.

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09-03-2007, 01:16 PM	#2
*Tessar* Master and Wielder of the Cardboard Harp of Gondor Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: IM IN UR POSTZ, EDITIN' UR WURDZ Posts: 6,433	Well done! I feel exactly the same. Especially if it's sort of older books, that are still in good condition. Now, if the book isn't already mine, and it's in REALLY bad shape, then I'm okay with it being tossed... but I rarely toss mine.

09-03-2007, 04:09 PM	#4
katya Elven Maiden Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 3,309	I love books, I love reading. I'm not so much a fan of materialism though. I hate having unnecessary belongings all over the place, and I also feel much happier letting go of my attachment to material things and throwing them out. There are a lot of books that are old, rare, etc. that I would hate to see thrown away but there are a lot of books that really have no reason to stay among us any more. There's plenty of books to go around, we don't need more cluttering shelves and whatnot. Hanging onto attachment is really unhealthy, I think. That said, I've always been a bit of a romantic and I love books, like actual books, not just for the reading within. I don't think I could throw them out without flinching and I have saved many a book from dumpsterization in my day. I don't think books will ever be completely obsolete. I love the smell of them, cuddling up in bed and reading them.

09-17-2007, 11:48 AM	#8
Ingwe Elven Warrior Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Somewhere not of this world Posts: 402	I have a library full of hundreds, maybe thousands of books. I can't part with any of them really. I've read most of them and some of my friends say I should sale some of them. Honestly, somehow I can't. I don't know if it's OCD or if it's just that it's difficult for me to part with anything.