One of the more disheartening occurrences in life is being at the library, eager to check out a book, only to find out it has already been loaned out to somebody else. Inevitably, the mind begins to wonder. Who else was interested enough in this title to take it home for a couple of weeks? Was it a man or a woman? Young or old? I know the library doesn’t give out these personal details, and with good reason. So I’ll never find out who this mystery person was. And yet, there is still an urge to reach out to them and say, “Hey, what did you think of the book? How did it make you feel? What was your favorite part? Did you just pick it up on a whim? It’s so nice to know there’s someone out there reading Rimbaud [or whomever].” So in my attempt to communicate with these strangers with great tastes, I’ve started the practice of leaving a note inside books I return. Nothing major, just a small post-it note with a couple random thoughts & musings scribbled down. So while I may not be able to speak with those who have checked the book out in the past, maybe I can still leave an impression on those who have yet to read it in the future.
(btw, this is one picture I did not take.)
Great post thanks. I really enjoyed it very much. You have a great blog here.
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Awesome idea!!
I have had similar thoughts in the past. I walked into a thrift store (SAVERS), which has a large selection of second-hand books. I was hoping to find some J.D. Salinger books but I thought “I might just find some ratty old copy of Catcher in the Rye. I was really hoping to find Nine Stories which includes “Bananafish” and “Esme”. I began browsing the shelves and I stumbled upon not one but three different copies of Catcher. I was very excited so I began scanning through for more “J.D. J.D J.D. come on find another”. Next I came across a copy of Franny and Zooey then Carpenters and Seymour. I was so thrilled to come upon these classic books. With my hands full of Salinger books I still found myself searching. After several minutes “Could it be?” My tired eyes scanned each letter in the title “N-I-N-E S-T-O-R-I-E-S”. I found my gem. I was a happy man. I began to think “Why did someone get rid of these books?” Don’t get me wrong, they were mine mine all mine but my mind was racing around wondering who had the books and why they were given to a thrift shop. I plan to keep these books for a very long time.
P.S. Awesome Photo choice.