Of Books, Readers and Notes Left Inside

I don’t understand what it is, but being surrounded by books is a unique feeling. Whether it’s in a fancy, air-conditioned bookstore or second-hand book stalls in a bazaar, the feeling of being there is gratifying. I don’t know what to call it, but I think all readers feel the need to buy more books even if they haven’t read all the books they already have on their shelves. It happens to me too.

My shelf is full of books, some of which I bought two months ago and haven’t started yet, but a few nights before, around 3 am, I felt like reading. As I stood in front of my shelf, even though there were books that I had selected on my own, considering their backstory and all, I still couldn’t find The One.

For me, The One is the book that you pull out and can read whenever you get this urge to read after midnight and I guess I needed some of those books, and mind you, it’s not always just one book. That book can be from many different writers and different genres and you would still feel closer to them than to all your other books.

I went to the second-hand book bazaar near Hasan square, there are about ten stalls that are there every day. They have books ranging from classics to newcomers and most in-demand. Some of them even have curriculum books which are very helpful when it comes to using books for reference.

Whenever I’m strapped for cash and can’t afford to buy the original Liberty Books, that’s the place I go. Even when I don’t have any money, I still like to walk home from there because the feeling of being surrounded by books calms me down when I’m having a bad day. The day gets even better when I flip through a few chosen titles and find little notes written inside the books.

Now I don’t support writing about books at all! I don’t do it and I don’t appreciate people who do, the books must not be damaged in any way. The stalls have very few books that have notes inside them. They are usually from the previous owner of the books who might have lent the book to someone and said something to the borrower.

I remember once reading Harper Lee’s Kill a Mockingbird and it was filled with little notes along the lines on the pages that explained the meaning of the words someone had underlined. It seemed that a teacher had explained them to his student.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6kJDmyVaJ1Db3pLWmg2dUtlME0/edit?usp=sharing

The last time I bought another book (Chicken soup for the soul of the couple) that had the sweetest note in history, he said;

“To Neil and Linda,

We’ve seen how much you like chicken soup, so we thought we’d buy one for both of us. I hope you have a big enough spoon.

God bless.

sarah x

nigel

xxxx

jackie c:”

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6kJDmyVaJ1DZnNSQ2ZPbDliazA/edit?usp=sharing

I remember another book in which a daughter had written to her father; “To my hero, for helping me from start to finish. Happy birthday dad.”

Although being surrounded by books and buying them is a relaxing experience, reading these little notes is like becoming involved in another story within a story. That feeling is beyond comprehension. You become even more attached to that particular book.

My first semester of undergrad I gave my English teacher Journey by Danielle Steel and left a note inside. I wrote it on a piece of paper and glued the top of the paper to the cover inside the book. I would like to mention here that gifting someone her own book is a very difficult decision. I’ve passed it If a reader gives you a book, it must be special to him, so you better recognize it. To readers I suggest that while I appreciate taking such a big step as giving someone your book, please avoid writing on books. Instead, stick a Post It inside the book. This way your memories will stay with the person if you want to lend that same book to someone else and the book will stay clean and undamaged.