When it comes to books, I am GPS. I’m greedy, I’m possessive and I’m super-generous.
Greedy as in, I have to get a copy of books I like, though I know I won’t have time to read. Well, after a few pages when they prove to be good books, I usually discover that I can make time to read. And when I do make time to read, there is this ineffable greed to know the ending (fiction) or to grab all the knowledge offered in the book (non-fiction).
And then there is this possessiveness towards books, the trait I learned from my KaCher. She once got hold of an old book that the school library was giving away to reward librarians – the book was none other than Daddy Long Legs by Jean Webster. As soon as I saw her reading it day in day out amidst chores and school hours, I knew it was a great book and I had to read it too. But we were too much of two-of-a-kind then; she would not let me borrow it even after she finished reading the book. She even hid it from me! I stayed up really late one night, ransacked our room, found it and stayed up ALL night reading it! What happened in the morning when she saw the book on my sleeping face was a World Wide War story greater than Saving Private Lion Ryan.
Super-generosity, the trait that I have towards books, has got me into a mess more than anything. As it is the bloody twin sister to my greed, I have to have books that I have to have! There’s no stopping me. Just like the greed, possessiveness and super-generosity that I have towards souvenirs I buy for other people that I end up keeping. You’re looking at the same gal here! I buy and buy and buy books – reading comes later. I have even made a schedule of what books to read when I am in my 60’s – another 20 something years.
And just in case my memory does not stay as long as my greed, my possessiveness and my super-generosity, I started a habit quite a few years back. That is, for every book I purchase I make a point to write down the when and the where I found the book. And the most important thing, how the book found me. For I believe they may have just one story written, but every book has more than just a story to tell. Someday the story a book tells might write me off, but with what I wrote, I can tell why I read it.
Questa è Enida 
woww… sangat sukerr your handwriting…seriously sukerr..
Thank you Cik Cloudy, thank you! Ni yang tiba-tiba terasa seperti hendak menulis je nih! I am working on it. I am in the process of writing a blog entry by hand. Will scan it and post it eh? (Pantang dipuji!)
I remember how you liked to decorate the envelopes of those letters you used to write me when I was in TKC. Your letters always made me soooo bangga… saying to my friends..”yes, betullllll tu tulisan my sister!”
I selalu ‘takut’ nak tulis kat buku2 tu, sebab nanti tulisan tak cantik. Hahahah.. but these days, I tulis je. (Knowing that my handwriting is NOT getting any better anyway) hehe.
Oh sis, I was so rajiiiiinnn back then kan? There was always something on the envelopes (as I could not afford to give anything in the envelopes, ahaks!) Siap kaler-kaler agi. Now I know where Kitreena got the obsession with anything that has Stabilo, Luna, or Faber-Castell written on it!
Two days ago, cleaning the pre-Gramma & Grampa’s room, I found 2-3 old diaries where I used to pour colors into. Oh, I was sooo jealous dengan diriku sendiri melihatkan betapa talentednya aku back then. Where has that Enida gone, tau aku bah! Maybe I should look for her again and I’d better do it soon.
I’m gone looking, sis! Love you in all colors!
Ngah, I love my books (and quite sad, because most of my books hancus time banjir kat Kuching dulu) and when I get a new book, I’d try my best to not break the ‘spine’.Yelah kan, buying a book in an investment.Ertikata, still keluarkan $$$.But good books have a great impact in my life.I’d either stay in that euphoria state for a long time after reading a certain chapter (like Coelho’s THE ALCHEMIST.Man, oh man!), or laugh like a maniac whenever I snuggle with Marian Keyes’ (chicklit.My latest discovery.Lambat tapi benar) or cry whenever I read and re-read Don’t Be Sad by Aaidh Abdullah Al-Qarni.Rumi and Khalil Gibran brings out the lover in me.When it comes to book-talk, I can go on for hours.Sampai pengsan.*dreamy sigh*
And my goodness, is that your handwriting?!So blardi cantek okay!!!! Mine?Cakar ayam pun still legible T_T
Lisa, I knew you were going to leave a comment as soon as you lookie lookie pretty bookie postie on me bloggie! I remember you almost always having a book in your hand even masa acara Jalan-Jalan Cari Kerbau Balau di kampungku. Of course you put the book down when you saw ayam kampung!
I can so relate to that sheer love for books you have and the ralat sifar when they get beyond reading; damaged in flood, fire, etc. In fact, buying books makes me feel richer than buying rantai kaki emas di kedai Poh Kong. (Untung ada dua kaki saja sia ni bah!)
Yes, Lisa. That’s my handwriting. Thank you! The tahap kesedapan pen pun boleh mempengaruhi tulisan actually. I used a free fountain pen that is sooo smooth. But hate how it smudges sometimes and the ink gets to my middle finger.
Good lord we must be related. Love the part about marking how the book found you…too cool.
Peace,
Thanks for reading this post, Wulfgar. Yeah, it’s amazing to see the kind of books you choose in different moods and time. I learned this ‘trick’ from my parents – though they only recorded the date and place where they bought the books in their collection. I have gone on to make little notes on what I go through to have made me take the books home. Years after… reading those little notes, I look back and see lessons learned way beyond what the book may have helped.
Peace to you too. Take care now.
Enida