Booked Solid: Some Readers' Cherished Collections Have Nowhere to Grow

The Washington Post ^ | March 23, 2006 | Annie Groer

[Physicist]

Law librarian Rick Ramponi's collection of 3,000 regional cookbooks --including "Talk About Good" from the Lafayette, La., Junior League and "Shalom on the Range," which celebrates southwestern Jewish cuisine -- was manageable while he lived in a large house in Kalorama.

But when he moved to a one-bedroom Dupont Circle apartment with a partner who collects large art and architecture books, Ramponi had to exile those cherished culinary texts to a pair of rented storage units several blocks away.

Since 2002, he has spent more than $5,000 to keep them there, which "may be more than they are all worth," he concedes. "But there is a sentimental attachment and I associate them with places I've been, people I know."

Accountant Jennifer Kimball, who is studying for a master's degree in English, and policy analyst Matt Cail, who has a pair of master's degrees, call themselves "huge bibliophiles." Thus their chief requirement when condo shopping two years ago was enough wall space for shelves to hold their books. Already they have run out of space in their Alexandria flat. "Next year we will start looking for a house to buy that has room for children," she says. And books.

[cgk]

The love of books is the only hobby that is also classed as a mental illness.

Oh boy. Hubby's going to love this one.

[Xenalyte]

I've tried decorating with the Dread Boston Salty, but being a terrier he's too jumpy to do much with.

[linda_22003]

I think we bought our house because of the built in bookcases in one room. We added them in another, and lots of other freestanding shelves are in the house as well.

In the next house, I'm designing a separate library, with growth space.

[Tax-chick]

being a terrier he's too jumpy to do much with.

I have the same problem with my 2-year-old. Just when I get comfortable, he has to use the bathroom.

[wideawake]

That is a great site. lanfranc is interesting because he is the connecting link between the reemergence of Roman law at Bologna in the 11th century and the reemergence of Greek philosophy in Paris in the 12th.

He was a mentor and teacher to leaders of both movements - a real Renaissance man before the Renaissance. Lawyer, philosopher, ecclesiastic and politician at once.

[Dogrobber]

I have 3500 paperback sci-fi books collected by my brother and I over the last 50 years. If I could scan them all and convert them to e-books I would, just to save space. I figure that I need 300 linear feet of shelf space to put them all out where I can see them. I have only 1/4 to 1/3 out of storage.

And still, I can't get rid of a single one.

[Serb5150]

Do you have any pictures that you could share? I'd love to have a look.

[CaptRon]

I've been thinking of experimenting with that. You could get them all on a few memory cards, hold them up and say 'Let me show you my library of sci-fi books"!

[Red Badger]

Nooooooo!!!! DON'T SCRAP THEM! DONATE THEM TO THE LIBRARY OR SCHOOLS! EVEN GOODWILL OR SALVATION ARMY RE-SELLS THEM! (that's my main sources).................

[Red Badger]

TACO PESCADO?......

[WanderingOisin]

Books, books, books. I love books, I breathe books. From the feel of leatherbounds to the smell of yellowed pages, I am obsessed with reading. I am a collector of old books- most of which aren't really worth much, but I like to peruse the libraries and used book stores and garage sales looking for books.

Old books seem to me to have more character, so I generally look for those, but I will buy any kind. I read more than I sleep, but I can't help it. It's a compulsion that I have no intention of giving up.

Sigh, books, books, books...

[Rte66]

--including "Talk About Good" from the Lafayette, La., Junior League

Yikes, that was what I was going to post, after I finish reading the thread--but you made me do it now. Could not believe it was the very first thing listed! Has been my cooking bible for at least 30+ years - and my parents for many years before that (since however long it has been in print).

And it has that wonderful recipe for "Preserved Children" - I loved that as kid. Mine is, alas, in storage - see the lead article and every post on this thread as to "why". But I have to see if I can find it online.

[MotleyGirl70]

You and your good-time buddies.

Lol!

[RightWhale]

Most of the books I dump off are at an intellectual level appreciated by most dumpster divers. It is amusing to watch them flock around a fresh deposit of old books, especially considering that none of the scroungers would even think of going to the public library. The books are all put back into circulation almost immediately. One kind of book I get rid of right away is books about philosophy. Philosophy books I keep.

[Borges]

Their entry on King Henry VIII is an amusing read!

[Rte66]

Here it is!

Preserved Children

1 lg. field
6 children
2 sm. dogs
Pinch of brook
Dash of pebbles

Mix the children and dogs well. Put them on the field, stirring constantly. Pour the brook over the pebbles; sprinkle the field with flowers. Spread over all a deep blue sky and bake in the sun. When brown, set away to cool in the bathtub.

[Foxfire4]

Not that I'm implying anything, oh Hogger of the Bookshelves. *cough*

I say nothing. Just don't touch the Florence King books. Or the Phil Foglio. Or the Terry Pratchett, or ESPECIALLY the Bujold...

[Foxfire4]

We haven't quite hit the end-table stage, yet. Though I do have a shelf full of books that are holding up the NEXT shelf in one of my more decrepit bookshelves. And the baby occasionally gets nursed on a pillow propped up by three or four good thick paperbacks...

[Drew68]

including "Talk About Good" from the Lafayette, La., Junior League

Everybody in my family has a copy of this cookbook. A gift from grandma.

[Billthedrill]

Guilty as charged, m'Lud. No extenuating circumstances. My last mover underestimated by 54 boxes - all books. They make great insulation and bullet-proofing for the house, too!