to buy books.
There have been times in my life that the library was the only affordable option and others when I could fill my shelves with every tome that piqued my interest.
Obviously, the latter was lovely. But this is a good place.
Despite a tettering to-be-read pile, I bought four new books last night with the delicious new-binding smell of promise. Each is a new work by a favorite writer offfering quiet afternoons ahead catching up with an old friend.
I have sold many a gargage sale book and have no quarrel with any of the purchasers there or any other reseller. I go to second hand shops and Amazon for out of print work regularly.
But there's a ritual and tribute in paying "retail." It's a solid vote for the writer who sweat the pages and the publisher who took the chance. It's asking them to please do it again.
For new writers especially it's a small ratification of their journey. With rare exceptions, it's not easy to get to that place. My checkbook alone is hardly reason to get to the finish line, but if enough of us line up the writer can get the message which they deserve.
With everything instant (including this space) there's still an inexplicable art in the printed page. My dream home would be a gallery of words.
We don't have a big house anymore and the odometer on my car will be well over 100,000 miles when it's replaced. But I'm rich enough to buy books.
And that's wealthy.

Copyright 2007 Judi Griggs