My relationship with my books

My best friend Ann loves to read. I love to read too. But we treat books very differently. When I've read a book once, it looks about the same as one of Ann's books would look if she read it five times. (Actually, her book would probably still look brand-new!)

So Ann and I agreed to each write today about our feelings about books, and how we treat them, and why. Ann's post is at her blog; be sure to check it out when you're done!

I go through phases where I don't read a lot, but I always come back to books. And when I'm reading a good one, I like to read everywhere.

• When I was in junior high, I'd walk through the hallways reading books. (I have no idea why people thought I was a nerd!!)
  
• I often have a book with me when we're going somewhere as a family. The Engineer drives; I read.
  
• I read in the tub--and have multiple formerly-waterlogged books, with their wavy pages, to show for it.
• I read while I'm doing my hair, or cooking, or folding laundry. That means that sometimes I purposefully break the spines of my paperback books so that I can prop them open more easily...with a bottle of lotion, or a kitchen utensil, or anything else I can find.

I've considered why I don't treat my books very well, and I think I've figured it out.

I don't love books. I love reading. Books are just the tool, and just as I don't have a particular attachment to a hammer or a wrench, I generally don't have a particular attachment to the paper and glue and thread that make up a book.

If a book gets wet, I'm very annoyed. But that's partially because wet books are hard to read! And the risk is worth the luxury of relaxing in the tub, reading. I don't mind broken spines, as long as the pages aren't falling out (very inconvenient.) And I think the idea of a bookmark is an excellent one, but I seem to always misplace them...which is why my books so often have the corners folded over, or are left open and facedown. (I should point out that I try to treat loaned books with more care...but I'll admit sheepishly, I've had to pay for borrowed books that I've dropped in the tub!)

Those who adore books--the tools--talk about loving the smell, and the feel of the paper, and the action of turning a page. I can understand that, but I don't really relate to it. Lately I find myself disappointed when I have a book in paper format instead of on my Kindle. My Kindle doesn't have to be propped open. It's light and portable. (And when I seal it in a quart-sized Ziploc it's suddenly waterproof, so I still get to read in the tub!)

I am deeply in love with the hobby of reading. But the book itself is not my lover; it is my servant, allowing me to spend time getting lost in the object of my passion--the story.

Click on over and read Ann's post about her relationship with her beloved books. Then let us know--how do you feel about reading, and how do you treat books?