John Updike posed in front of bookshelves.
By Dick Loftin.
I often wonder what happens to the collections of books once the owner dies. I’ll find myself staring at my bookshelves wondering what will happen to my books after I’m gone. Do they go off to Goodwill? A used bookstore [which would be OK] or rest in a pile next to the garbage bags, waiting on the collector? I know this last possibility will not happen. My wife knows my books are an extension of me, and she would probably keep many of them and donate the rest.
After the deaths of John Updike and Christopher Hitchens, I fanaticized about being able to browse through their books. To spend time among the books of these lovers of words and writing would be an amazing experience, I’m sure. I will often look on You Tube for videos of Updike, Hitchens, and other writers in their offices or personal libraries, to catch a glimpse of their bookshelves. My eyes strain as I try to make out the titles. I was excited to notice I had a book on Christianity that was owned by Hitchens. And for a few seconds, I felt very smart. You can learn a lot about someone by looking at their bookshelves. You can learn more if they don’t read at all. Readers are better.
On December 28, 2012, the New York Times Sunday Book Review published a wonderful essay by Andrew D. Scrimgeour. In the piece, “Handled With Care,” Mr. Scrimgeour, as the Dean of Libraries at Drew University, writes about his job as an academic librarian. He has the privilege of perusing through the libraries of those who have died, picking and choosing the books to be taken and added to the university’s collection. Just imagine looking through the bookshelves of someone who loves books as much as you do.
It is a fascinating and interesting essay. You can read it Here.
——-
Source:
Photo of John Updike from finebooksmagazine.com
