Be not afraid to write on them.

Like this!

At the same time, however, I rarely get rid of books. I only toss them on to the shelves. Who knows, one day I’ll change my mind.

Welcome to Upper Fort Stewart, C.R.. WORD, yourself.

If a book is worth reading, it is worth re-reading. And I likely will re-read it. The hard cover books I buy are usually authors I already like, and usually a series that I enjoy. Before starting the book I fold a Demco Polyfit dustcover protector on (Demco: 800-356-1200). Taking care of the book means it will be easier to re-read next your, or in 10-20 years, and I do have books I bought in 1981, about as good a condition as then.

Paperbacks I keep with the same care. The stinkers I have been reluctant to discard, since many will become more attractive, or easier to tolerate, later – after I have read some other books, or am in a different mood, or after various life experiences. It doesn’t always happen, but sometimes. Hope dies hard. Sue me.

I also keep track of my books because they don’t stay available. Christopher Stasheff has written a lot of good, humorous books. I particularly like the Starship Troupers stories, beginning with ‘A Company of Stars’. It just isn’t on the shelf at Hastings this week. Pauline Ashely’s ‘Unwillingly to Earth’ and Kathleen Sky’s ‘Witchdame’ are a bit uneven, but have some very good parts. And neither are in the local library. I have re-read both in the last year.

Following a suggestion by Anne McCaffrey, I don’t tend to lend books. I buy a copy for the giftee. That way I don’t worry if the book is coming back, or if it suffers in condition. Whether this happens to reward the author with royalties for another sale, or is shameless self-promotion I really don’t care, it works for me.

I have a couple of books signed by the author. I treasure the particular copy of ‘Nerilka’s Story’ that Anne McCaffrey signed, in addition to really enjoying the story. Again and again.

Since I tend to re-read a book that I enjoy, I do tend to keep the condition as good as possible, Just don’t ask about the books I read in the Navy, that I carried in my back pocket. Love that C.J. Cherryh and ‘Pride of Chanur’.

So basically: WORD.

I am finding the same is true of music. If I listen to a clip of music from a favourite artist and don’t like it but buy the CD anyway, surprise surprise, I end up not liking the whole CD. Duh.