Second-Hand vs Brand New

To me, a book is a book, no matter where it comes from. It tells me a story and I love the written word - but I'm very much a traditionalist and enjoy the textile feel and smell - the very scent and odour - of a real book in my hands. 

However to a lot of people, it's not a book unless the spine hasn't been cracked. And I for one don't understand why I should spend so much money on a book when a second-hand book is just as good as a brand new one - just a little more used and little older. 

So, seeing I buy a lot of my reading material at second-hand book stores and at markets, it made me wonder if where you get books makes a difference.

More often than not, I've seen garage sales filled with reading material which people have collected and found none of their family wants. And this also has me wondering what will happen to my collection as I age (and believe me, I'm getting to a point where I have to stop worrying about it). 

But really, as I wandered around the Vinnies and the Salvation Army stores at Stones Corner today here in Brisbane, I wondered quietly to myself: who donated these books, where did they come from and are some of these from a deceased estate? I found it kind of sad that these books will end up in landfill if they're not sold at these charity stores. 

So, does it make a difference if your books come from a charity store, second-hand store or book exchange or if you buy them brand new or online? Or is it all the same, so long you can read it? Until my next post, happy reading.

A Book's Meaning

I was at my parents' house yesterday, flipping through 'Time and Again' by Jack Finney, while they were watching 'Silent Witness' on television. 

They had just spent a week away house sitting a gorgeous house and two just-as gorgeous border collies; and barely watched any television. Mum read her books, did some of jig-saw puzzle and walked around an impressive garden. However, the swimming pool wasn't touched; as it's becoming a little chilly to swim now.

But only days into being back at home, they're right back into their old routine of watching hours upon hours of television in the afternoons. Okay, they read for a few hours in the morning, but I worry about how much time they spend watching television when they have so much more in life they could be doing. 

Mum keeps on telling me she'd love to write a book about her life 'one day'. But she never gets started on it. I have been writing one; and it's not the easiest thing to write. Not everyone will like it, not everyone will agree with what you've written, and not everyone will be shown in the best light... but it's about my life not theirs. If they want to read about their lives, they can write a book about their life. 

I've just read an article about how precious books have become to us now; and how they change the way we think from year to year. I've been collecting books since I was 4 years old, when they used to be an escape for me. I was born with Epilepsy and so reading helped me escape the problems, doctor's appointments and complications that came with that condition. 
Now I'm older, I read for the pure enjoyment of the experience of the escape. There's nothing to escape from. Normally, if I can't find what I want to escape into, I start writing about it - as I'm a writer as well. There's nothing like the sheer joy of creating worlds of your very own from nothing but a blank page; and then perfecting it - taking the time to perfect it - and hoping it takes off at some point and getting it published. 

Books are - in essence - tiny universes between the covers of an author's imagination. It's not often a writer will tell you exactly what's on their mind, however, if you'd like to know what a writer is truly like, look at their book collection (and a writer who doesn't have a book collection - a physical book collection - is one to be suspicious of). I have a room filled to the brim with books of all kinds. And being an artist as well, I integrate books into my paintings and artworks to show how much I can't live without books in my life. 

So, what kinds of meanings do books have for you? Do you collect them to read a huge series like 'The Wheel of Time'? Or do you have a favourite author or two who you've been following since you were in high school? Or is it something you've had to do because you're studying to be in the sciences or something more complex? Until my next post, happy reading.