It’s taken almost six months for me to remove the plastic wrap from my copy of Ian McEwan’s Solar. Such is my confidence in Ian’s talent that I’ll basically buy anything written by him without bothering to peek between the covers first. One of these days, he’ll publish an extended shopping list, and poor unsuspecting fans like me will rush out and buy a copy without so much as a glance at the blurbs.
I have more virgin books taking up space on my book shelves than I care to admit. For example, three of Milan Kundera’s works – they were on special offer, along with a copy of a Weight Watchers cookery book – stare at me like accusing triplets whenever I swivel around in my computer chair to look at my bookcase. I think I will have to relocate them away from eye-level.
I did try out a couple of recipes from the cookery book, but I cheated by adding extra cheese to one of the dishes, which rather defeated the purpose of cooking a low-calorie meal in the first place. I will gladly give it away to a good home.
Some of my virgin books were presents from friends and family who didn’t know that I already had a copy of their carefully-selected gift. I could never part with a book that has been chosen specially for me.
I also have a large number of books that were read so long ago that their storylines now escape me – born-again virgins, you could say.
If I’m to read all my books, both new and forgotten, before my eyes and my brain give up on me, I will have to retire now.
Back to Solar.
I have more virgin books taking up space on my book shelves than I care to admit. For example, three of Milan Kundera’s works – they were on special offer, along with a copy of a Weight Watchers cookery book – stare at me like accusing triplets whenever I swivel around in my computer chair to look at my bookcase. I think I will have to relocate them away from eye-level.
I did try out a couple of recipes from the cookery book, but I cheated by adding extra cheese to one of the dishes, which rather defeated the purpose of cooking a low-calorie meal in the first place. I will gladly give it away to a good home.
Some of my virgin books were presents from friends and family who didn’t know that I already had a copy of their carefully-selected gift. I could never part with a book that has been chosen specially for me.
I also have a large number of books that were read so long ago that their storylines now escape me – born-again virgins, you could say.
If I’m to read all my books, both new and forgotten, before my eyes and my brain give up on me, I will have to retire now.
Back to Solar.
4 comments:
I don't have many because books are so expensive, at least RM50 for a paperback. I do have magazines which are a monthly affair. So, I don't share your problem. Am I lucky then?
Are you lucky? Is your house being taken over by magazines? It's easier to throw out/give away magazines than books. At least, it is for me. I have too many books now. I have started to give them away.
Whenever I walk into a bookstore, I have this weakness to at least buy a book from whatever money I can afford. All my new books are unwrapped but many are 'virgins' in the sense that I hope to read 'it one day when I have time'. It's like a hobby e.g. stamp collecting, etc. I even have children books and fairy tales that I can't give away because of some sentimental value. Sometimes, I think back and wonder what happened to those that I had given away, like thinking about an old friend.
Two shelves of virgin books and counting.
So far I've been grateful for the book buying that has been giving me tax rebates (nearly hit the RM1,000 limit last year!) but I'm trying to cut down.
I have an annoying habit of re-reading favourites, though. I'm sure if I could stop that I'd start making a dent in the virgins...
Post a Comment