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I was once asked a heroically theoretical question that went somewhere along the lines of "If you could chose between never browsing again or never reading a book more than once which would you chose?". That question was the first step in my falling heart and soul for the inquisitor and the fact that we didn't spend eternity together is a source of mild romantic pangs to this day. But that's irrelevant.
I quickly realised that even if it meant I could never return to a favourite book again I couldn't give up browsing.
It's one of the things I do best, and one of the things I love to do, something that I'm truly at my happiest doing. I can't begin to describe the feeling of going into a strange bookshop and seeing the virgin shelves just waiting to be despoiled.
I love focussed browsing where there's a specific title wanted and sought and the sense of satisfaction in finding a title is rarely matched in my day to day life. I've never needed a physical list to keep track of the books I seek and have a mental tally of books people have said they are looking for, and I often have better luck than friends and family.
I also love random browsage, where you just sweep the shelves looking for something, anything, to catch your eye. One of the books I've most enjoyed reading this year is 'The Queen of Whale Cay'. I've forced it upon friends who, like me, didn't know it existed and hadn't heard of the eponymous Queen, and been delighted that they've loved it to. I'm convinced the fact that it sneaked into my conciousness in such a random way as being turned over in a library sale makes me appreciate it more.
So tell me...is it just me that feels this way? |
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