Russell...good article. When I was still working I might buy books knowing I likely would not read them soon and likely not till I retired. Now that I am retired I am so glad that I have books readily on my shelf to read. Yet, as an avid reader like you...you knew as I would that I could not go a year without buying a book. In fact, even though I have unread (by me) books on my shelf, at least once each year I go to B and N and buy a handful of books on the topic of the year, e.g., this year it is philosophy, last year it was also philosophy, 2 years ago it was Greek plays, 3 years ago Native American topics. etc. Complicating this is that I no only buy books, I stream them thru podcasts, from the Library, etc. or upon occasion I'll get a hard copy from the Library. In summary, not buying a book for a year would be tantamount to saying I'm not going to eat or not going to breath this year. Good topic!
Great stuff, Russell. I've had this books quandary myself. When Catherine's Mom died three years ago, the work associated with dispensing and disposing of her books was considerable. I looked at my library and decided that I did not want to put anyone through that when I'm gone. I've slowly begun to shed books to Goodwill and other outlets, and I have TRIED to cut back on my buying. As I approach retirement--and having a goal of becoming more classically well-read in that time--I wonder if my bucket of a plan has a hole in the bottom.
Thank you, Bryan. Yes, I see a lot of homes in estates. The book cleanout job can be, as you say, considerable. But I feel like I learn something about the decedent by perusing the library. Locust Grove, a historic home here, has an amazing used book sale twice per year. I send a lot of books there each year. And, I have cut down my purchases at that book sale, so now I can confidently say I am a "net contributor."
Russell...good article. When I was still working I might buy books knowing I likely would not read them soon and likely not till I retired. Now that I am retired I am so glad that I have books readily on my shelf to read. Yet, as an avid reader like you...you knew as I would that I could not go a year without buying a book. In fact, even though I have unread (by me) books on my shelf, at least once each year I go to B and N and buy a handful of books on the topic of the year, e.g., this year it is philosophy, last year it was also philosophy, 2 years ago it was Greek plays, 3 years ago Native American topics. etc. Complicating this is that I no only buy books, I stream them thru podcasts, from the Library, etc. or upon occasion I'll get a hard copy from the Library. In summary, not buying a book for a year would be tantamount to saying I'm not going to eat or not going to breath this year. Good topic!
Amen, Glenn!
Love it.
I read The Design of Everyday Things in college. So fascinating.
Thanks, Shawn! Yes, it's coming up on my list! Seems to dovetail nicely with my interest in Edward Tufte
Great stuff, Russell. I've had this books quandary myself. When Catherine's Mom died three years ago, the work associated with dispensing and disposing of her books was considerable. I looked at my library and decided that I did not want to put anyone through that when I'm gone. I've slowly begun to shed books to Goodwill and other outlets, and I have TRIED to cut back on my buying. As I approach retirement--and having a goal of becoming more classically well-read in that time--I wonder if my bucket of a plan has a hole in the bottom.
Thank you, Bryan. Yes, I see a lot of homes in estates. The book cleanout job can be, as you say, considerable. But I feel like I learn something about the decedent by perusing the library. Locust Grove, a historic home here, has an amazing used book sale twice per year. I send a lot of books there each year. And, I have cut down my purchases at that book sale, so now I can confidently say I am a "net contributor."
I love this. It is SO ME!!!!