My books are finally on proper bookshelves. After languishing for months in cardboard boxes, they are now displayed, arranged, and organized on shelves. I have more shelf space than books for the first time in the history of ever, which is a great reason, or excuse, to go buy more books.
Lest you get the wrong picture, I do not have one of those social media bookshelves. You know the ones. The books are color coded and arranged artfully with fairy lights and cutsey decor. One the shelves I have seen, the books tend to be pretty covers on newish books. Or very pretty covers on old books.
My bookshelf, though I am very proud of it, does not look so picture perfect. For one thing, most of the books are old lookin’. Old library books, old books, books with cracked spines and faded pages. Yes, there are a number of gleaming new books, but those tend to be the exception, not the rule. And even if they are brand new, they tend to be the cheap version, which quickly gets a creased spine after you read it. Oops.
I don’t particularly mind. I buy books to read them, not to display them. The books are worn and scruffy looking because I took them on a plane, on a road trip, or it just lived in my purse for so long it got a permanent crease. They look old because, let’s face it, on a teachers budget the best place to buy books is used book sales.
I am not going to go on a soapbox and proclaim used books have ‘character’, they are more ‘genuine’, or whatever. But I will say this. If a little visitor with grubby hands picks out a book to read, I am not going to get upset about it. Crumbs and coffee stains are no big deal. Cracked spines and dog ears? Life goes on. To me, the point of books is to read them. If this means read books get worn down and shabby, then so be it. The most valuable part of a book isn’t the cover, it is the thoughts and ideas inside of a book which change and shape us into better, more thoughtful people.
Of course, I would love the pretty books with the pretty covers and sprayed edges. I am only human after all. The point is, I am content with signs of life on my books, it means they are being enjoyed.
I hope your day is wonderful,
Shaina Merrick
The Beauty of a Story 