I was cleaning up the garage yesterday (Gwen leaves such big messes when she flits from project to project), and I had to move two boxes of my beloved books (my kingdom for more bookcases!).
Of course, I had to open the boxes and touch my treasures.
I pulled out a couple of books I'd read a few years ago, and last night I gave them a quick look-through.
I think I must have really enjoyed this book, because there is a plethora of post-it notes stuck to its pages.
But, I think the reason I read this book in the first place was because I'd been lead to it by this book,...
...which had been recommended to me by my niece who works in advertising.
I need to say here that one of the most rewarding habits I developed (when I was into developing new habits because of this book), was the habit of asking the people I love what their favorite books are, and what books they read for their field of work.
I used to read their books (and listen to their music and watch their movies) with the purpose of getting to know them better, but the benefits from all this exposure far exceed that goal.
When I read Orbiting the Giant Hairball, it helped me to look in a new way at some problems I was wrestling with in regards to creativity, my own Christianity, and the organized church.
I'm sure that would surprise the author, as it did me, but I think it's marvelous that God is not limited in the tools He uses to help us to right thinking and living.
I wrote some notes as I was reading the book, and then organized them onto a single sheet when I was finished.
I made a pocket for them and glued it to the inside of the back cover.
I have a good friend with whom I exhange books (and book titles) on the one or two occasions when we see each other every year.
I wanted to get his feedback on this book in writing, so I offered my own notes as a sort of bait.
(I guess there are reasons my friends call me a rule-y person.)
I am so glad that I had these notes to refer to when I picked up this book again yesterday.
I wish there were envelopes at the back of all my books.
And I wish they were filled with written records of the treasures I'd been given while I read them, and the treasures other friends had unearthed after me.
Since each of their lives and perspectives are so different from my own, how wonderful would it be if I they could show me the view from where they are standing?
I'm sorry...have I begun philosophizing?
I'll stop.
I've got to go make book-review envelopes now, anyway.