Book Blogger Hop No. 104: Books as 'Necessary' Decor

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This Week's Question

When you enter an unfamiliar

house or apartment for the

first time, do you feel disappointed

if you don't see any bookshelves,

or books on the coffee table?

(Submitted  by Maria @ 

A Night's Dream of Books)

My Answer

This question came to me after a visit to an acquaintance's house for the first time one afternoon, several months ago. This person was a fellow ESOL teacher at my school, whom I unfortunately didn't see again, as she has since moved out of the area. 

When I first walked into her living room, the first thing that caught my attention was a bookcase placed against a wall near one of the windows. Of course I immediately walked over to check out the books on the shelves. I'm sure any bookworm would do the same thing, right? Lol. 

After the visit, I remembered, some years back, also visiting a neighbor of mine. At the time, my husband and I were living in another part of the city. When I walked into this neighbor's living room, and looked around, a huge wave  of disappointment hit me. There was not a book in sight. There were no bookshelves at all. There was a coffee table, but no books sat on it, either. I don't recall much of that visit, except for that initial feeling when I stepped into that living room.

I realize this is probably an irrational feeling. Lol. Naturally, I understand that not everyone on the face of the earth adores books the way we bookworms do (especially those who, like me, are also bibliophiles, which I think most of us are). People have different hobbies and interests, after all. But I still feel that initial letdown if I don't see any books when I first walk into a living room for the first time. I guess I somehow expect to see books everywhere I go! Lol. Again, this is totally irrational, but there it is. It's how I feel.

In contrast, when I walked into that teacher's living room and saw her bookcase, the immediate sense of euphoria -- yes, this is the EXACT feeling that suddenly washed over me -- was unmistakable. I immediately felt COMFORTABLE in that living room, as opposed to the neighbor's, where I actually felt as if I had stepped onto a barren land..... It was like totally alien territory, where I actually felt that something very important was missing.

Again, this is irrational. I would NEVER want to impose my likes and dislikes on others. This is not a matter of JUDGING people for not having books in their living room. It's just a feeling I get. I do NOT mention this feeling to the person I'm visiting, of course, as that would be VERY rude. I simply go along with the flow, and chat about whatever comes up.

So some people are simply not into books. So what? However, I guess it's simply not easy for me to understand how someone can just NOT be interested in books. This despite the fact that my family members are not into books. My parents used to read years ago, but now, not that much. Ironically, it was my mom who first exposed me to books, and kept buying them for me as I was growing up, as soon as she saw that I loved them. One day, she realized that she had unleashed a monster. Lol. I just couldn't stop reading, even when she wanted me to help around the house! 

The rest of my family is completely indifferent to these precious objects, and they think I'm a bit "looney tunes" because of my bookish obsession. My husband is not into books, either, and he thinks I already have plenty of them, too. Ha, ha! So I wonder if perhaps I am unconsciously looking for validation when entering the houses or apartments of new acquaintances for the first time. 

Perhaps it's just a matter of wanting to make real-life friends who share my obsession. (Thankfully, I do have online friends who are DEFINITELY into books!) When I don't see any books in someone's living room, I know I might not become friends with that person. Since books are such a HUGE part of my life, I would naturally want to discuss them with others as much as possible. So, when I see none in sight, my hopes are suddenly dashed. I know I will have to talk about other things with that person, and I might not be into what THEY are into.

So there it is. This is my little irrational, quirky character trait, this intense longing for the sight of BOOKS wherever I go. Maybe I AM a bit "looney tunes". This is the way my brain is wired, though. Lol.

Here is what you will see when you walk into MY living room! (Yes, I know I've posted these pics before, but I just could NOT resist....)

What are your thoughts on

this topic?

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