Yesterday I was dusting the bookshelves and just had the urge to throw them all out. Actually for weeks now I’ve had the overwhelming desire to just ‘burn the place down” – to get rid of everything that wasn’t strictly essential.
I pulled off the shelf an old and tattered copy of Jane Eyre – the book is a total wreck – unreadable because some of the pages are ripped – still there but torn. I looked at the copyright page – it was published in 1905. Where or how I came into possession of this book I have no idea but I do know that I’ve had it since childhood and I’ve read it many times over the years.
Nearby is another old book – ‘Little Women’ – inside scribbled in pencil is “Mildred Browning, 1956, 10 years”. I remember Mildred Browning well and I vaguely remember borrowing this book from her and, obviously, never returning it.
The next book I took off the shelf was a paperback – “Breakfast at Tiffany’s, a short novel and Three Stories” by Truman Capote. The front and back covers feature promos for the movie which was released in October 5, 1961. I probably bought the book after I saw the movie.
The movie ran at Radio City Music Hall from October 5th through November 8th, 1961. For my birthday that year, October 17, 1961, my mother took me to Radio City Music Hall to see this movie – this was my birthday present – this was what I wanted. I was 15.
I skimmed through the book, reading almost all of the novella – the pages were toast brown and just as crispy, many loose in the paperback binding. I loved that story and the movie.
All three of these books, with their fragile pages that crinkle and crunch when you turn them, are long past their safe to use date. I have copies of them, in digital form on my reading iPad. Yet these books stay on my shelf.
The content hasn’t changed. The digital editions of these books is the same as the printed. Yet – I love these ‘original’ editions – the ones from my childhood and youth. I love these inanimate objects that still animate my mind.
And so I returned them gently to the shelf and I wondered why, and then it came to me – as a song –
Subject to Change Without Notice 
Books hold many memories from the look, feel, smell and even weight of them while digital versions hold just words. I appreciate you sharing your memories and also that song!
LikeLike
Loved this post, so true. I have very few what one might call real personal possessions as in those from my childhood, but l have a small box of things [if they were ever placed into a box] and 2 books spring to mind from that period. Bimbo and Topsy – Enid Blyton 1969 – Original copy – my childhood copy received aged 6. A truly charming book about a kitten and a puppy. It just takes me back to good times everytime l read it. I have read it since 1969 perhaps 50 times, the last being 2018.The other book is Smokey Joe the Fish Eater – John O'Grady 1972 – another childhood copy at that time l was 9 – about a rescued kitten and a writer. I read this and every time l do l cry. It's not a sad book, but l remember the first time l read it and where l was and l have read that as many times as the previous books.Both books remind me of this song which l listened to countless times when l was young reading and cuddled up my bears Henry and Mickey. Puff the Magic Dragon released in 1963 my birth year by Peter, Paul and Mary another song that makes me cry every time l listen to it.Rory
LikeLike
I have a few things that should have gone a long time ago but for sentimental reasons I can't part with them. I suppose my children will throw them away after I'm gone.
LikeLike
Sam Cooke – the best! I think my connections with my books is the content – how they made me feel. Some of the books on my shelves are significant in content and now out of print and I hesitate to get rid of them even tho I know I won't crack them open again. What the hell am I saving them for?
LikeLike
How funny – this is second time today the name 'Enid Blyton' came across my in my reading – the first time was a comment on some blog or other I read. I've never heard of her but then I don't remember reading any children's books when I was a child. I didn't have any. I also had to laugh about your reference to Puff the Magic Dragon – 1963 – I was 17! And we all knew it was about mary-joo-wanna…tho Peter Yarrow denied it.
LikeLike
This is my home – books, books and then a lot more books. When I moved a few months ago and I had to unpack all these books I was told I should just toss 'em. NO! I can never throw away a book. I had to laugh though when I came to the things I read in my 20s. I would no read Danielle Steele now as I did when I was 22 yrs old. LOL But the book stays. It is a part of my past. I don't do kindles or technology reading of any type. I want to hold the books, smell it's pages and enjoy all my senses with a book. Books are dying like me I suppose.
LikeLike
I need to start cleaning out now – if my husband dies first there won't be anyone to clear out my detritus. Several years ago I gave away some jewelry but I have more really good pieces – I'll never wear them again and I do have to distribute them sooner than later.
LikeLike
I don't have much compunction about getting rid of books – just last month I tossed all the Harry Potter books – I was never going to read them again – no point in their taking up space and I had no attachment to them. I tossed a book today – it fell apart in my hands. I doubt I ever read it, it was bought for a research paper – “Poems and Prose of Gerard Manley Hopkins” – a paperback from 1966 – all crispy crunchy. I also discovered two copies of “Howl” – one is mine and one is my husband's – never read that either but it was all the rage way back when. I was ebook resistant for awhile but when we could no longer get to the library easily if I wanted to read then it was ebooks – I no longer turn up my nose at them. But I won't buy them – waste of money if you ask me. I do draw the line at audio books because i HATE people reading to me.
LikeLike
I have the same sort of sentimental attachment to many of my old books. A literal ton of recent books has departed the premises, but the old keepers. . .
LikeLike
I was confused how anyone could deny that Puff the Magic Dragon was about smoking pot. There are just too many easily interpreted “code” words worked into the lyrics. Jackie Paper? C'mon. But then you read the entire song, it sure sounds like a little kid growing up. Listened to in that way, it's a beautiful, sad song.
LikeLike
I remember when that song 'came out' and I didn't like it – a bit twee for me – had no meaning whatsoever – Plus I was never a fan of P,P&M or folk songs/singers in general.
LikeLike
Sometimes I think the books remind of us of a time and place and that's where our sentimentality stems from not the book itself or the content.
LikeLike