Blog Entry: The Paradox of Baby Time, and a Book Problem
It's amazing how time changes when you have a baby. Before I was a mom, I used to listen to my mom-friends talk about how suddenly there was no time to get anything done in a day, even though when they looked back on it afterwards, they couldn't see anything productive they had done with all that time. I listened to them talk about how it was just impossible to get out of the house on time for anything anymore. I used to listen with a sympathetic expression, because I was their friend - and then I used to secretly think, Well, I'm sure that it must be manageable, though, really - I would never be that disorganized, would I?
Hahahahahahaha.
Ohhhh, was I wrong. The other day, as Patrick and I were FINALLY setting out on our errand-run, 45 minutes after we'd originally planned to leave, we looked at each other and just laughed. Because you can either laugh or weep, and only one of them is a good idea in front of the baby...
So, looking back on the last few days, I can't see a lot of things I've done, apart from looking after the baby. (Which is a pleasure as well as a job, of course.) Probably the biggest thing we did was - gasp! - we finally stiffened our upper lips and actually donated 6 bursting bags of books to the Oxfam charity shop. Book purge! The little old lady taking donations looked mildly pleased and impressed when Patrick carried in the first two overflowing bags. Then I brought in the third and fourth bags, and she began to look afraid. By the fifth and sixth bags, she was backing away from me and looking downright horrified. "We're moving house," I explained, with an apologetic smile.
Truth? These are the books we'd already set aside to purge a month ago, well before we found a new house. And now, as we start to think about packing up our house, it's time to think about yet another purge. (We still have piles and piles of books sitting on the floor as well as in our 7 bookcases.) But maybe we'll find a different charity shop for that second round - I think if the Oxfam ladies saw us coming, they might lock the door against us!
Sigh. I hate giving up my books, but sometimes, it truly Has To Be Done. And it's not like we won't still have thousands left...especially once this month's Amazon order arrives. ;) I admit that, from some perspectives, I might be seen as having A Book Problem. On the other hand, I am a writer, so it's a professional requirement...right????
Someday we're going to live in a house with walls that are actually lined with bookshelves, floor to ceiling. Then people who don't have This Book Problem will think I am a maniac...but I will feel wonderfully, deliciously At Home. :)
What about you guys? Do you keep your books after you've read them, for comfort and future re-reads, or do you read once and then dispose for the sake of a lovely, uncluttered house?