4 ms·
My library correlates to my self. Most of the books therein either molded me, or were chosen because of how I was molded; it's a reflection of who I am. Already
by ctdonath 9y ago
My library correlates to my self. Most of the books therein either molded me, or were chosen because of how I was molded; it's a reflection of who I am. Already aware of how short my life can/may be (and even if long-lived), it can outlast me as a guide to my children as to who, deeply, their father is/was. Missing books means a piece of me is missing, that they will miss.
- 52-6F-62 9y agoI’ve always felt a little the same way. Having started out in literature studies I’ve accumulated a bit of a collection. Some of what I own correlate to me at different times in my life. Others are references to subjects that do not at all line up with my morals, thinking, or lifestyle— I keep them for the point of knowledge about something a little more foreign to me— including even some pseudoscience and occult / pop-occult works. I have to sheepishly admit that I sometimes entertain the thought that I might be one of a selection of people who in the future might be last remaining protectorates of such libraries should the world ever turn on our public physical archives. It’s lofty, probably naive, and pretty silly but I still feel better having them line my wall than I would feel without them. Moving is a bit of a bitch, though.
- 13of40 9y ago“You could tell a lot about a man by the books he keeps - his tastes, his interest, his habits.” ― Walter Benjamin, Illuminations: Essays and Reflections (TBH, I have Illumnations on my bookshelf, but it's one of the most opaque books I've ever tried to read, and I expect the contents of the suitcase were more of the same...)