Thursday 25 February 2010

Of libraries, bookshelves and literature

It wa rainy today, as it usually does, but I decided to live with it and to have a quick trip to the local library. It is a small one, but there is an interesting choice for its size. I love every aspects of reading, the frequent pilgrimage to the bookstore of course, but also the trip to the library, however modest. Walking around the bookshelves and having a look around is always great fun and you can always find at total random something you will like.

I try to make the most of our local library: I borrow as often and as many as I can. Novels, of course, things I cannot find easily in bookstores, but also books I would not buy otherwise: recipe books, history books which would be too expensive otherwise, comic books, pub guides, essays, etc. Unlike the books I possess, these are guests in my house, they don't define me as much (more on this here), but their presence is welcome.

Coming back from the library, I decided that it was time to give my readership an aperçu of what I read. This blog is called Vraie Fiction, after all. I found on Wendy the Very Good Witch's blog a virtual bookshelf which you can get at Shelfari. I decided to have one for myself. I don't know what I am going to do with it except put it here, where it will at least look nice. Hopefully, it will give influence people to read what I think is worthy of reading. You can already see the virtual bookshelf on your right. I called it "Tolle, lege" ("Take up and read"), from some vision/dream of Saint Augustine. I know, I am not in the habit of quoting a holy man, as I am utterly unholy, but it sums up the general feeling I have towards literature: one should be compelled to read it. Thus my use of the Saint's words. Read those books. They are worth it.

7 comments:

tattytiara said...

As far as I'm concerned all the books in the library are mine. I really appreciate those nice people who take care of them for me, and I think it's nice that other people can enjoy them when I'm not using them.

Mozart's Girl said...

Beautiful musings on books, libraries & the art of reading, Guillaume...I love these temples too, so much. I'm sorry that our library no longer 'stamps' books out, as I loved to look at the lines of dates & wonder who...
I've awarded you a Kreativ Blogger award, stop by to pick it up. Well deserved indeed. Enjoy your weekend xox Rachel

Guillaume said...

@tattytiara-Yes, I see what you mean. I really appreciate librarians too, the ones we have here are very nice. I think I could be happy if I was working as a librarian somewhere.
@Mozart's Girl-Thank you for the kind words and for the award! I will put it here soon and try to write about seven things my readers don't know about me. Oh, and our library don't stamp the books anymore either.

jaz@octoberfarm said...

hi...wow..that is so cool. i never heard of shelfari before. thanks for the compliment about following my blog! i guess i don't really think of it as a cooking blog but since most of what i do is cooking, it comes across that way!!! once spring arrives it will turn into more of a gardening blog and crafts too. since you love books start entering my giveaways. i decided to start giving away books. my house is full of books and it is time to part with some of them! i am posting 3 garden books on todays new giveaway which will be up a bit later when i am able to drag my Blog Tech out of bed!

Guillaume said...

@Jaz-I think I oversimplified on your blog: it is not a cooking blog, but often it is about cooking.

holly wynne said...

Nice post. I am not in agreement with Augustine theologically, but his Confessions made a substantial and deep impact upon me as an undergraduate.

Guillaume said...

@holly-You know I barely read Saint Augustine.