Bibliomania
July 4th, 2008
At last a quote that justifies my book buying habit:
Even when reading is impossible, the presence of books acquired (by passionate devotion to them) produces such an ecstasy that the buying of more books than one can peradventure read is nothing less than the soul reaching towards infinity … we cherish books even if unread, their mere presence exudes comfort, their ready access, reassurance.
Alfred Edward Newton (1863 – 1940)
2 Responses to “Bibliomania”
hee hee 🙂 what a fantastic quote!! I love it!! What wisdom! – what truth! – what a fabulous reason to buy more! 🙂
Philip, you are not alone!! Wonderful (and comforting!) quote. I have had to discipline myself and have regular purgings. I try to keep the books circulating now, passing them on and not holding on to too many of them (although there are ones I just can’t part with!). Space just won’t allow for it anyway. I always have more than one book on the go – current pile at the side of my bed includes a biography of Gilbert White, a book on Mandalas, one about an Episcopal priest who became a Shaman and Eckhart Tolle’s ‘A New Earth’. I love reading! I love libraries! I love bookshops! I love books – the way they feel and smell! (There! I’ve said it!)There is something wonderful about just having them around. They look beautiful too, in their piles and on their shelves. I’m a Gemini! What’s your excuse?!
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