All this took months.

The biggest surprise was re-reading books that I remember thinking were brilliant, okay to find that, on second inspection, they were merely lukewarm. And it got me thinking; what was it about those books that, at that time, touched me so? What had changed in my life that I could no longer relate to them? It surprised me at how my tastes have changed in recent years.

Before the first move, I sorted through many books– sold a few that I knew I’d never read (or even look at) again on Ebay, gave a few to charity, pawned a few off on friends and family. The packing process took *days.*

The books I found hardest to part with (and thus, still have) are all of my books from my childhood– ranging from hardbound “Peanuts” editions to the “Little Women” series, to “A Wrinkle In Time.”

Unpacking the books a year later, I managed to only take a few hours– stopping only to flip through two paperbacks– my two favorite Teen Reads, “The Cat ate My Gymsuit” and “I Was a 98-pound Duckling.” I probably read both of those books a hundred times each, and probably would have read both cover-to-cover again if I’d had the time.

Kimber An said: If it must be done, hand the task over to someone who couldn’t care less. Bribe him if you must while you conjole yourself at Barnes & Noble. Of course, then you’ll come home with another armload…

On Friday I hit the bookstore to pick up a few February releases, and I swore that I would not buy another book until after I was settled. Then again, I was only thinking of print books at the time. I guess I could still get a few ebooks.

Bernita, you had a whole truckload of books?!?!? You are truly a woman after my own heart. I’m not goign to feel so guilty about all my boxes now!

Kimber said: I find that I get different things out of books (both fiction and non-fiction) depending on what place in life I’m at. I relate to different characters. So re-reading a book from a decade ago will be a very different experience, almost a completely different book.

That is so true, and a great argument for re-reading. I have friends that are readers but not book buyers because they don’t understand the desire to re-read a book. I’m going to have to remember this argument the next time the topic comes up in discussion.

B.E. Sanderson said: I keep promising myself one of these days, I’m going to sit down and just start reading at Alcott and not stop til I get to Zimmer-Bradley.

This would take so much more willpower than I currently possess. I’d be too tempted to jump ahead!

Now, as to re-reading books. I have a ton of books lying around house. Some I’ve read so many times, I’m surprised I don’t have them memorized. Others are still waiting for their first read. I keep promising myself one of these days, I’m going to sit down and just start reading at Alcott and not stop til I get to Zimmer-Bradley.

I don’t even want to think about what will happen when we move. Ack.

I find that I get different things out of books (both fiction and non-fiction) depending on what place in life I’m at. I relate to different characters. So re-reading a book from a decade ago will be a very different experience, almost a completely different book.