I went to Borders the other day with a 25 percent off coupon clutched in my hand. (Borders Rewards sent me the coupon for my birthday. Aren't they sweet?)
I knew just what I wanted to get -- "The Zookeeper's Wife." It's about a Polish zookeeper and his wife who hid several hundred Jews from the Nazis during World War II. It got very good reviews.
But since it wasn't right there in front of me when I walked through the door, I wandered around the store, picking up dozens of other books. One of them was "Cicero: The Life and Times of Rome's Greatest Politician." This looked interesting. Well, not the politician part, because I've had politics about up to here by now, but I've always loved to read anything and everything about ancient Rome.
I didn't put it down. I carried it along with me until I found "The Zookeeper's Wife."
Now, I had a book in each hand and the pondering began. This one? Or this one? Zookeeper or Cicero? Two books, one coupon. Which one would it be?
I eventually came to the conclusion I always come to. Life is short. Be good to yourself. You don't drink, or smoke, or gamble. You work hard for the money. Buy both!
This is my vice. This is my addiction. This is why my wardrobe is so small and out of date. Why my decorating budget is dismal. When I have money, I buy books.
Not long ago, I finally figured out why I am so passionate about books. When I was growing up, we lived way out in the country and other kids were few and far between. Books became my companions, my fast friends. They took me places and taught me things. Made me laugh and cry. For me, there is still nothing quite as relaxing as sitting down with a good book (well, maybe sitting down in a hot bath with a good book).
I'll second all that! I have a book problem too. Maybe we need to start a book-buyers anonymous club. Although I've kept it from damaging my budget too much by frequenting used book sales and The Paperback Exchange in Lemoyne.