Oh for the Love of Books!

One of the reasons why I can’t wait for my vacation to the Philippines is because I miss my books! I have tried collecting stationeries, stamps, notebooks, Ghostfighter items, Tazmanian Devil items, boxes etc. but the one collection that I was able to maintain are books. I have a considerable amount of books which if piled constructively, I’d be able to live in them, literally.

I actually spend more money on books than in clothes or shoes or any other vanity paraphernalia. I didn’t have to think twice before buying a book than I have to think several times before buying a comfortable pair of shoes. Bargain bookstores are heaven for me especially those that carry hard-to-find books. 

I could remember this one time when I was in Booksale in Cubao beside Gateway Mall, I saw no other than Pen Medina (indie film actor). I was so star-struck that I just followed him inside the undersized thrift book store. Or maybe I was just surprised that a “celebrity” would scour thrift book stores when he can actually buy online or be in the more posh, high-end bookstores.

When Powerbooks also had a sale in Eastwood way back, I had the honor of being hit on by no other Clem Castro of the now-defunct Orange and Lemons while I was browsing over books particularly Hitler and Stahlin: Parallel Lives by Alan Bullock (which I also bought to commemorate the brief encounter). Then there was this book fair in Hotel Intercon in Makati before where I saw up close performances by Radioactive Sago Project and UpDharmaDown.

Books really take me to places, literally and figuratively. That’s why I wouldn’t exchange my books for a MacBook Air (unless it’s a gift) or the latest tablet producers can come up with (I am extremely content with my iPad2). I will always go back to the smell of the old and yellowed pages of books that have always been my companion whenever I feel alone.

That’s why in this vacation, I will be rewarding my beloved books with a decent home which I wish will be placed in my dream coffee house in the near future. That way, I can share the joy and companionship that my books have brought into my geeky life!

my dream shelves

A book is the only place in which you can examine a fragile thought without breaking it, or explore an explosive idea without fear it will go off in your face.  It is one of the few havens remaining where a man's mind can get both provocation and privacy.  ~Edward P. Morgan