Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. Lent is a season of sacrifice and reflection; the 40 days leading up to Easter and the season of new life. Many people choose to use Lent as a time to work on themselves, sacrificing bad habits or patterns or behaviors in order to become a better person, or at least, a more thoughtful person.
This year I have chosen a sacrifice that has already been difficult. I have chosen not to purchase any books. This may seem small, but for a reading-addict like me, this is tough. Not just because I love books, but because I love to browse bookstores in my spare time, I belong to a bookclub, and I have a mini-vacation planned that would cross my path with a favorite independent bookstore. And there are so many great books coming out soon... I decided on this particular sacrifice due in part to my pile of books at home - let's read what we have before buying more, shall we? - and in part due to my almost thoughtless purchasing of hardbacks that are not ultimately books I want to keep.
So, my hope is that this sacrifice will gently lead me to reflect on what books mean to me, and how I can indulge in them in a more respectful way - respectful to my bookshelves, to my wallet, and to the environment.
Like a waterfall in slow motion, Part One
2 years ago
2 comments:
I know we were seperated at birth now. I, too, am an avid buyer of books. Amazon LOVES me! I'm happy that I resolved to use my library more, but I gotta tell you this. There is this great thift store in Vallejo that somehow gets the New York Times Bestsellers from somewhere in the best shape and resells them for a fraction of the cost. That is where I got a lot of my books.
So indulge in the books you have and maybe trading books with friends will be a good idea too!
Renee - I'm coming to you with next month's book club pick!! And you let me know if you're looking for any titles.
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