I once knew a man who moved from Chicago to Boston and when he did, he sold or otherwise disposed of all his books. "They're just books." he told me. "They can all be replaced."
Just books? While I acknowledge its practical benefits, I'm struggling to embrace the "just books" way of life. Books make a room cozier. They give guests something to browse through while I'm in the kitchen. They don't just speak about their subjects, but also about me - where I've been, what my interests are, how I organize (or don't).
Some of my books have changed the way I think. Some of them make me laugh every time I read them. Some of them I quote. Some of them I would buy again at the first used bookstore I come to. Some of them I haven't read yet and can't possibly part with before I've turned every page.
Discarding them feels like discarding bits of myself, my memories and my dreams. And how can those things be replaced?
NO NO, not THOSE!!!! just kidding, love you - Mom
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