Book Look

As Hermana #2 is typically the book buyer in the family, many of the books I've read over the past years usually come from her shelf.

Now Hermana #2's book are very special - there is a special way in which they are covered (in plastic with scotch tape NOT touching the book), special way in which they are branded (date and name in front, price and where it was purchased at the back - in a purple pen nonetheless) and a special way they are arranged on her bookshelf (you take one out, or move it around, she'll know).

Naturally - when I purchase books, I want them to be special too. So Hermana #2 very nicely covers them for me, and I too mark them in my own special way.

Recently though - I borrowed a book to read from Hermana #3. Now Hermana #2 would FREAK if her books looked anything like that of Hermana #3s. No special cover save that of an extremely creased book spine, no special branding save that of corners upon corners of folded pages.

Worn and torn.. and yet.. still special.

There was something very liberating about reading a book I could simply ENJOY. It was relaxing paging through a book I could put down for two second by leaving it open face down on a table without fear of Hermana #2 yelling bloody murder from upstairs (I swear.. I think she posses her books sometimes). No metaphysical unease knowing I could toss the book into my bag and not have to worry about rubber-banding it together for fear it being mauled and torn apart by the chaos that is my bag.

So this blog entry is in no way a means to thumb my nose at Hermana #2's ways.. goodness knows she would have had a really violent reaction to reading a book like that of Hermana #3's. Different strokes for different folks right?

In a world and life where there has been a need for me to be organized to the point of OC-ness to get my sh*t done efficiently and effectively, I sometimes forget about the inner chaos that comes so naturally to me.

This being said, I actually don't know if I could still leave my books in the state of "specialness" Hermana #3 does. But it surely has reminded me not have such a rigid stick up my bum every time one of my books is used. Hmm.. or maybe I should just convince Hermana #3 to buy more books instead :)

What do your books look like?