I haven't done a literary musing i a great while, so I figured it was time to do so again.
First of all, I'd like to discuss the word "bibliophile". There are bibliophiles and bibliomanes, or bibliomaniacs. What's the difference, if any?
A bibliophile, according to The Free Online Dictionary, is "1.) a lover of books", and "2.) a collector of books". These definitions include all of us who read and blog about books, naturally. Now let's look at the definition of "bibliomaniac". According to the same source, the noun form, "bibliomania" is "An exaggerated preoccupation with the acquisition and ownership of books".
My desire to own books has grown to such proportions that I really can't call myself a "bibliophile". No, indeed! I constantly hunger for these precious objects, in spite of the fact that my humongous piles of books are threatening to overrun the house. I no longer go to the public library, because it's simply too painful for me to read a book, fall in love with it, and then have to return it...
My husband, the poor soul, no longer stares disbelievingly at me when I request that he drop me off at Barnes & Noble while he goes to the gym. This is in spite of the fact that he knows I can't go to a bookstore without coming out with at least one book.
There's a long history to the acquisition and collecting of books, and it's detailed in the following work. I happen to own it, and firmly believe it should be on every raving book fiend's....er...book lover's properly bulging shelves.
Bibliophiles, Bibliomanes, and the Eternal Passion for Books
Hardcover, 638 pages
Henry Holt and Company
August 15, 1995
From the Goodreads Synopsis
The passion to possess books has never been more widespread than it is today; indeed, obsessive book collecting remains the only hobby to have a disease named after it. A Gentle Madness is an adventure among the afflicted. Richly anecdotal and fully documented, it combines the perspective of historical research with the immediacy of investigative journalism. Above all, it is a celebration of books and the people who have revered, gathered, and preserved them over the centuries.
Here are some pics of my own
humongous collection!
These are on the night table next to my bed.
There are also some books on the
headboard, which is partially visible
behind the pillow.
This is a partial view of my bedroom shelves!
These are right on top of my bedroom dresser.
True Confessions Time!!
So, how obsessed about books are you? Do your own shelves look anything like mine? Have any of your family members (non-bookworms, of course) despaired of ever getting you to stop buying books, or reading them in the middle of dinner? Have you ever missed out on a hot date because you simply couldn't put down a book you were hooked on? Do you rent public storage space to house part of your incredibly large collection?
In other words...
Do you consider yourself
a bibliophile,
or a bibliomaniac?
