December 2008, Issue 14

Season's Readings

There's something almost magical about snuggling under a warm blanket during the winter months and reading a good book. Great books provide comfort and company whenever you may need it. They are loyal friends and a wave of excitement always rushes over me when I meet a new one.

This month, honor the books in your life. Here are some suggestions:

1. Choose wisely. Before you go out to buy the latest bestseller, ask yourself whether you have room for it. Are your bookshelves already overstuffed with your collections from the past ten, twenty, thirty years? Befriend your local library and give your bookshelves a break.
   
   
2. Showcase your library. Organize your books in a way that makes most sense to you - whether by author, genre, or subject. You will be able to find your favorite books and access others as references quickly and easily. Make sure that the books you read or refer to most often are at your fingertips. You know how you put the phone numbers of your family and close friends on speed dial? Essentially, you will be doing the same with your most beloved paperbacks.
   
   
3. Start a book journal. Do you always forget which books you've been meaning to read? Grab a notebook and start writing down the titles and authors you can remember today. Also, feel free to jot down books that you have read in the past, and what you thought about them. Next time someone asks you to recommend a book, you'll know where to look for an answer.
   
   
4. Label and lend. Share your collection with your friends! Place extra return address labels on the inside cover of your book to ensure that any lost or misplaced book will be returned to its proper owner. Then, keep a list of books that you have borrowed and lent in your book journal so that you can keep track.
   
   
5. Give and you shall receive. For those books that you wish to donate, contact your local library for suggested organizations. The New York Public Library actually offers pickups in Manhattan (call 212-576-0040 for more information). Some other great options include Books for Freedom and International Book Project.