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Monday 9 March 2015

BOOKS

I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library.” 
 
Jorge Luis Borges
                     
 The words of Jorge Luis Borges, quoted above, are very true. A house full of books is no less than a Paradise. We can even judge how much the books are valued by the manner they are maintained in a house. Many people purchase books, but they are not arranged properly. They are scattered here, there and everywhere. This is not a way to handle these pearls of wisdom...Here are a few tips for the storage and maintenance of books.
             The title of each book should be visible. This can           be done by keeping the title facing outwards. We must care for our books, as if they are living beings and breathing.  As in the case of human beings, great care should be taken to preserve the books.

1.  If we buy books we must ensure that they are stored carefully.
2.  We must have a book case to keep them securely and neatly. 3 .  The books must be arranged properly, with the cover visible from out side.                     .
4 .You must ensure that books are stored in a room, frequently used by the occupants of the house. Damp places are extremely unfit to store your precious books. In damp cupboards they are liable to be attacked by mildew, white ants and termites.
5. Humidity is the worst enemy of the books. If you do not take out books frequently,you will notice that humid conditions have caused  great havoc to your  precious books.
                     


These two bookcases are full of books in our house.


In our house everyone is crazy for books  and take great care 
of the books.A very look at the quality and the number of books in the house indicates the decency of the family.
 It is very irritating when people borrow books and ''forget'' to return them.
 If you remind them, they very casually remark,’’ Oh your book! That is with my uncle.  I will send it back to you after he finishes it’'. It goes without saying  that the book never comes back.
In the last few days, I have been reading Chetan Bhagat's'' Two States'' I love his form of writing.It is very simple, yet very intense.

The books are full of wisdom pertaining to all spheres of  life.In their womb is the infomation which has no end to it. If we instil the habit of reading in our children from infancy, we will be doing a great service in creating an interest in studying in them.
 I am reminded of the words of Francis Bacon.''Read not to cotradict and confute, not to  believe and take for  granted, not to find talk and discourse, but to weigh and consider''.
Do you like to read?Which books have you read recently?

''Reading maketh a full man; conference a ready man; and writing an exact man.''   Francis Bacon



Written for B A R weekly thread for 18th March to24th March,2015




























21 comments:

  1. I can see how you treasure books dear Usha for not only your words above, but also the 'package' my book you bestowed upon me was wrapped in a plastic bag that was a perfect fit for it: snug! ;) I read both your book and Carol Graham's book. I am currently reading one of Carlos Castaneda's books for an energy healing course, though I think otherwise I would read one of my many sitting at home waiting to be read! ;) I too have many, though not as many as you I don't think. However, I used to...had tons of books and gave A LOT away! They are precious to me too as they are like my friends! ;) <3

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    1. Thanks Elly for the inspirring comments

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  2. Books are my life Ushaji...I just adore books and you know I'm so possessive about it!

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  3. Books are the best treasure indeed. I too agree that sharing books is indeed most difficult. I had given my copy of Chetan Bhagat to a friend and it is yet to be returned.

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  4. Books are the best treasure indeed. I too agree that sharing books is indeed most difficult. I had given my copy of Chetan Bhagat to a friend and it is yet to be returned.

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    1. Thank you Inderpreet. It is really difficult to recover books which we lend to others.

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  5. Wow, Mam! Reminds me of how my Mom treasures her books in such huge shelves. I own half of that now :P She is just not ready to lend me the other half....!!

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    1. Books are a treasure which none wants to part with.

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  6. That's such an impressive collection, Ma'am! I always feel that homes filled with books have a soul :) And yes, it is irritating to the core when people borrow books and 'forget' to return them. I have stopped giving my books now.

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    1. Thank you Aathira. It is good that you don't lend books.

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  7. Simply love the vast collection of books you have, Ma'am! I am very possessive of my books too and because of earlier bad experiences of people borrowing books and never returning them or returning back in a bad condition, I have stopped lending my books completely!

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  8. Shilpa, there are two cupboards full of books. i have also stopped lending themout.

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  9. I love books. I have two bookshelves in the house. Now, I am a member of a library to avoid buying any more books.

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    1. Thank you Rachna.In my house the number of books keep on increasing.I tell my children that the day is not far when one full room will be required for the books alone.

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  10. What an apt post, for me to note now. It was only a couple of days ago I had an argument a noisyargument with a cousin of mine. She had taken a wonderful book from my collection ( something I bought at a fair ) and no more in publication. she took it without asking me and I found her having the book when I saw it by chance thrown on the dining table in her home one day. Though I reminded her twice later to bring back the book once she finished reading she was very casual in reply. The other day when she came home I asked her about it and she replied that the book was missing and she could not trace it in her house.I was annoyed and told her that she rather not lay a finger again on my books. She fumed at me and shouted why I was so nasty about a book afterall? And if I wanted she would pay the cost. That was too much for me and I
    was so infuriated that I virtually ripped her . she stormed out of the house .
    Just tells how indifferent and casual people are about books. I detest those breed.

    BTW the library in your house ( I presume) is even radiating on the computer

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    1. Thank you Anil. I also feel very annoyed if some one borrows abook and 'forgets' to return. In your case the book was lost. I can imagine your reaction.

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  11. I used to buy a lot of books but now I read them on my ipad. These days the only paper based books I buy are architecture books for my son. He still likes the feel of a book in his hands. Love your bookcases.

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    1. Thank you Suzy. I am now trying to read books on line.

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  12. That's a beautiful collection of books you have ma'am. Nicely written.

    Like you said, i once gave a friend a bunch of covered books( nearly 10), I never saw the books again. i have many such experience. But i still lend them, only these days, i give it to them and ask them to return within a week. My uncle has a book shelf similar to yours and what adorns at the top is "Not for lending, please".

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    1. Asha I really feel very upset when the book is not returned.

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