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Original poster

Books: Do you look for them when entering somebodies house for the first time ?

289 replies

Shosha1 · 12/04/2020 12:42

I must admit I do. I love to see what people are reading. It always gives me a sense of them.
Absence of books make me feel uneasy for some reason.
Which is absolutely stupid, as you wont find one in my house.
I cant hold a heavy book now as Lupus has affected my hands, so I read on a kindle, but most of my 500 odd books are on audible.
DH has all his on audible too.
We do have childrens ones for DGC tho.

OP posts:
FredericcaPotter · 13/04/2020 12:18

And as someone who’s had to clear out the houses of dead relatives, getting rid of a dead person’s possessions is certainly one of the hardest things I have done

We all need to indulge in some considerate Swedish death cleansing now and then.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 13/04/2020 12:18

I have some books over 100 years old. Last time they were valued...£20. They are beautiful though (they are bird books with hand drawn (but printed) illustrations).

ChandlerIsTheBestFriend · 13/04/2020 12:19

For some self professed literary addicts, reading certainly hasn’t served to broaden the mind!

Indeed.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Books
DJMumzy · 13/04/2020 12:21

Bercow - thank you for that! One of the subjects I have been writing about is the relationship between text and image (in the very specific historic context of the Southern European Renaissance) and how descriptions create visual imagery. I loved your example.

It reminded me of an old Italian text, called Zardino de Orazion (1494) who taught young women to approach and understand, not just intellectually but emotionally, holy texts by attaching them to our own visual memories.

IrmaFayLear · 13/04/2020 12:23

But people do get very prickly about those who have lots of books, calling them - as on this thread - "grandiose" or posing as an intellectual etc etc. Oddly some posters feel that others' book collections are some sort of slight against their own intellectual capabilities.

bookmum08 · 13/04/2020 12:28

I said early on in the thread that I do enjoy a little nosy at what books people have got but I want to add that I don't really think anything if they haven't got books on display. I also like to have a little nosy at what dvds/cds/computer games they might have. Or if they have a display of collectables or postcards or art or anything else random that can be displayed. But again if there isn't anything 'out on display' I don't really think about it.

ChandlerIsTheBestFriend · 13/04/2020 12:29

Oddly some posters feel that others' book collections are some sort of slight against their own intellectual capabilities.

Not oddly.

MarieQueenofScots · 13/04/2020 12:29

I find the concept of “on display” interesting.

I don’t consider any of my books on display, they’re just kept on the shelves!

HarrySnotter · 13/04/2020 13:03

I don't respect fascists or white suprematists or KKK members. i do not respect rapists

Oh good grief @DJMumzy for someone who appears to consider themselves so well read and clearly of superior intelligence, you really needed a disclaimer with my statement? 🤣

No, I think they are protesting about the grandiosity of those who are judging people who choose not to display or keep books.

Yep. I'm one who has shit loads of books, I couldn't care less if anyone else does or not. I love my books, DH favours his kindle and that's just fine. I still have no idea why anyone would even think about, never mind hold no respect for, someone who chooses a different passion. It's so odd.

DJMumzy · 13/04/2020 13:06

"But people do get very prickly about those who have lots of books, calling them - as on this thread - "grandiose" or posing as an intellectual etc etc. Oddly some posters feel that others' book collections are some sort of slight against their own intellectual capabilities."

Absolutely - but then, they are probably not very happy :) Or bored at lockdown.

I am going to make pizza whilst listening to Scarlatti now.

Play nicely, kids ;)

Ginfordinner · 13/04/2020 13:26

@DJMumzy DD is doing a science degree (medical related). She hasn't had to buy any books because all her resources are online. A lot of stuff that is in print for her subject goes out of date fairly quickly.

ChandlerIsTheBestFriend · 13/04/2020 13:37

Christ, I bet DJ had to have a fag after all that. Grin

HarrySnotter · 13/04/2020 13:41

Christ, I bet DJ had to have a fag after all that.

🤣

Toomboom · 13/04/2020 13:41

You wouldn't see any books in my house and I am an avid reader. I get through 2/3 books a week. I read mostly on my Kindle, so no physical books. I have some cookery books, but these are tucked away in a cupboard.
If I do read an actual book it gets passed on. I see no point in keeping books I have read.
I have never looked for books in any ones house or felt the need to judge anyone on their lack of books

SistemaAddict · 13/04/2020 14:11

"That, my boy, is a mountain of knowledge."

I love this film.

BikeRunSki · 13/04/2020 14:21

I think with houses getting smaller/having less storage and Kindles etc book ownership is dwindling. I used to buy several books a month and go to the library every week. As DC and their things have taken over our modest sized house, my compromise is that I buy non fiction, and download fiction. The lines are a bit blurry, but that’s the principal. If I buy a novel, it tends to be second hand, and goes back to the charity shop/book sale etc. And we have masses of children’s books!!

MarieQueenofScots · 13/04/2020 14:25

That’s a fair point BikeRunSki shelf space was a must when we bought this house.

Now it’s just me and DD we’ve spread into the space created when ex-H moved out, whilst dad has built clever book shelves to fit in unusual spots!

Ginfordinner · 13/04/2020 14:25

I think you have hit the nail on the head BikeRunSki. We just don't have the room to have loads of bookshelves.

Hullygully · 13/04/2020 14:31

I had a chaotic childhood and my books were my constant and my friends. They lived safely in my cupboard and I still have most of them now, even dear old Colin Wilson. For me books make me feel secure and safe and surrounded by friends. I like to have them all around me.

I like to see them in other people's houses so we can talk about them.
And the fact that people choose to have them, when they could of course have a kindle, speaks volumes about them (boom boom)

Tw1nset · 13/04/2020 14:45

I grew up in a house with adults who did not read, we also moved a lot and so did not really have many personal possessions. The only person in our house who had books was me and they would often "disappear" in a house move. I was also teased for reading because it was weird.

I am sure it would be very easy to psychoanalyse me and see that I am trying to create something I missed by having books around the house.

i also grew up in a house that was negative about education, I was discouraged and actively resented for doing A Level and a degree. My family mocked me for being stupid and having ideas above my station. I don't think I am intellectual but I do think again becoming a teacher, having lots of books and even running book clubs (!) was my act of rebellion and me saying that I want a very different life experience for my children.

bookmum08 · 13/04/2020 14:47

MarieQueen actually yes I get what you mean. I don't think of my possessions as being on display - it's just where they live.

Ginfordinner · 13/04/2020 15:04

And the fact that people choose to have them, when they could of course have a kindle, speaks volumes about them (boom boom)

In what way? What about those of us who have both?
BTW I grew up in a book reading family. My mum was a terrible hoarder and sorting out her stuff after she died was a nightmare.

CormoranStrike · 13/04/2020 15:09

A town like Alice is one of my favourites too, most of Neville Shute’s books are well worth a go.

Hullygully · 13/04/2020 15:14

gin

It says:

  1. I love books and everyone can fuck off
  1. I am the sort of person that has lots of books even though they don't need too and everyone can fuck off
  1. You'll like me look at all my books
  1. I am a READER
  1. I do not have the telly on all day
  1. I eat fresh fruit and vegetables by choice
  1. I don't believe Alexander de ffeffleeelfeff falafel cunt face had coronavirus for one minute

I have both too - love my kindle for travelling

PatriciaHolm · 13/04/2020 15:17

When I scrolled past this thread first time, I thought it said Bodies, and was somewhat perturbed..

So - books yes. Bodies no, though i suspect I would notice.