We’re moving in July and need to reduce our 2,500 volume library by about half. This requires nightly interrogations: will I read this book again, will I read this book in the first place, is this a first edition, sentimental value, signed by the author, completes a set, etc. etc. It is painstaking and sometimes painful work, especially when you find an underlined book from college and are immediately transported to the worst days of your life. Well, mine.

Of course, if these were CD’s we’d just be gleefully downloading. And of course, if I had a Thimble, I could buy any one of these books and download it.

Sidebar: I actually found a Sony Reader in the bathroom at work this morning. I still remember the days when a senior editor at S&S would take like twenty periodicals into the bathroom. I guess today’s businessman fires up his Reader when he takes a shit.

Back to the books. I am happy to report that ALL the poetry, poets’ biographies, letters and diaries made the cut. I am happy to report that 2/3 of the fiction stays and what goes should have left long ago. It’s the non-fiction that’s really taking the hit. Though my special shelf of books on depression and suicide will remain intact.

Every time my husband takes a book from the shelf for scrutiny and discussion, he blows the dust from the top of the book much the way Johnny Carson used to blow open the envelope when he played Carnac The Magnificent. I used to love that.

Filed under: Poetry |