Why I Hoard Books and Will Never Stop

I’m probably going to upset some people, but the truth is, the book is always better than the movie.  I apologize if that comes across high-and-mighty.  I don’t mean to be pretentious. I’m simply emotionally biased, and as such, I hoard books and will never stop.

BOOKS SAVED MY LIFE

I grew up in Section 8 Housing, in Brooklyn, New York, aka, “The Projects“.  I resided there, but I didn’t live there…

When I first read “See Jane run“, I ran with her.
The Little Engine That Could, did, and so did I.
Sam said “I am”, and I was also.
When Cinderella married the prince, I married the prince.

I could’ve played outside and many times I did, never noticing the cracks in the cobbled playground or graffiti on the walls; but sooner or later I’d have to go back inside.  There wasn’t much to entertain then, certainly no technological advances the likes of which we have today, therefore…

I HAD TO IMPROVISE

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Mine was a humble childhood, but I was clothed, fed, and loved. Music could be heard any time of day, impromptu dancing was encouraged, my mother could be found chatting in the kitchen with my aunts, while my grandmother cooked something delicious. 

Despite all this, I soon developed a pragmatic, albeit detached belief in the honest fact of my poverty. However, I remained unaffected because I bore no conception of wealth or lack thereof. And besides, I held a tantalizing secret:

The world was at my fingertips because I read books, and when I read the universe was mine!

I read every fairy tale I could get my hands on until the pages and bindings were torn.  At age 7, I was already enchanted with the romanticism of a well-worn book.

I read textbooks, on purpose (Nerdy Girls Unite!). I’d “borrow” books from neighbors on Fridays and silently return them on Sundays.

One summer I read an entire dictionary, taking careful steps to pronounce each word properly.  I was excited by the feel of the foreign words on my lips: per-son-i-fi-ca-tion, ser-vi-ci-bi-li-ty, a-mor-ous.  How Enchanting!

ANOTHER SUMMER I TRAVELED FAR AND AWAY

To Infinity and Beyond reading all the volumes of the Encyclopedia Britannica. 

A salesman came knocking at our door, but we couldn’t afford the coveted compendium.  Luckily, my best friend’s parents could.

Every few days I’d walk down to her apartment, grab a volume, read it, then pick up the next volume and start all over again.

I read all about the Taj Mahal, the 7 Wonders of the World, an airplane engine, and photosynthesis. 

I learned about orchids and their Latin root words, immediately referencing last summer’s dictionary for proper pronunciation.

Shockingly, my once-idolized best friend had no desire to read them!  She’d drone on about how she was soon to live with her favorite aunt; aching to get away from our neighborhood as fast as possible.

I, on the other hand, didn't feel any great yearning to leave my neighborhood. With every turn of the page, I escaped often, and with ease. Share on X

SELF DEVELOPMENT IS A BY-PRODUCT

I learned and improved upon myself through reading:

• How to spot backstabbers.
• Proper tools of observation. 
• New perspectives, outlooks.
• Honed Intuition.
• Courage.
• When & how to listen and keep quiet (I’ve only just “mastered” the latter).

I studied a great deal of academic and philosophical concepts all before I was 10 years old! Marvelous!

Books taught me all things were not only possible, but probable. I believed it, and it so it was true. 

THEN PUBERTY HIT, THINGS GOT INTERESTING

The summer I turned 14 I was introduced to the Romance Novel. I felt naughty, as if at any moment I’d get caught doing something I shouldn’t; quite daring for the Goody-Two-Shoes I was then.

“Dark Torment” gave me my first Book Boyfriend, Dominic Gallagher.  I’m still in love with him, and I still own the book. 

It’s over 30 years old, held together by tape, its pages yellow and delicate to the touch, as you can see above.  But every now and then, when I’m feeling nostalgic, I pour a glass of wine and Darkly Torment myself.

I BELIEVE IN BOOKS

I  believe in educating myself.  The ability to communicate and convey information via the written word is a gift I don’t care to squander. 

Reading costs relatively nothing, teaches everything, and crosses socioeconomic boundaries.  All you have to do is visit the local library.  Yes, libraries still exist!

For the digitally inclined, the Information Age offers free access to hundreds of classic books both literary and academic.

With the purchase of an e-book reader, or the installation of a book reader App on your mobile device of choice, you can be well on your way.

Oftentimes, when called on for advice, I’d simply recommend a book, “Here, read this.  I think you’ll learn all you’ll need to know.” 

The recommendations might not always be taken into consideration, but Its OK. After all, you can bring a horse to water…

If you think you’re a “horrible” reader, remember that reading is a learned skill in and of itself.  The more you do it, the better you get at it and there are plenty of additional ways to improve. 

You can join a book club, listen to audio books or attend a reading.   The trick is to start somewhere.  Think of something that truly interests you and read about that.

TODAY I HOARD BOOKS

And you can find them all throughout my house, neatly stacked in proper order. The order might only make sense to me, but they’re mine so…

Some books have a coveted spot on my precious bookshelves (Ikea, same as the tan chairs). Other books are stacked in groups waiting to be read.  Cozy nooks abound, ready for some quiet time.

At any given moment, whatever curiosity I must quench…

I casually roam
through my home
and find a tome.

Look at that, I’m a poetress! I know, I know, “Don’t get carried away, Cynthia.”

But I digress…when the weather cooperates, a front porch rocking chair is also a welcome respite.  

And don’t get me started on the 900+ books I’ve compiled on my Kindle. 90% of these stories were free, or mostly free, thanks to services such as Book Hub, Robin Reads, and Kindle Daily Deals.

Coffee, tea, wine and cheese are perfect accompaniments, as are comfy blankets and candles, just in case.

I always have something enjoyable to do: 

• If TV gets monotonous, or I’m feeling restless, I read.
• If I have to put the world at bay, I read.
• When I need to broaden my horizons and learn something new, I read, #Perpetual Student.

Although you might not ever become a book hoarder, hopefully I’ve provided enough fodder to whet your literary appetite.  If not, at the very least, you now have a better understanding of the Bookworm (ahem, BookDragon) mentality. 

All Hail The Bibliophile!

Do you hoard books too? If so, what did you think about this post?
Please feel free to share your comments below!
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Be Well!

Cynthia
385Life
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