The State of 1898

It’s been a while since I did a post detailing a book haul, not that it happens to any bloggable extent these days but on the bus the other day I got an overwhelming urge to support the economy and naturally a bookshop stop or two is the best way to do such a thing.  Armed with some dodgy wi-fi and an intermittent wish list I went in search of books recommended by you and a smattering of wayward choices of my own.

Books chosen and it was off to The Hard to Find Café (which really doesn’t live up to its name any more) to have a proper look at the new treasures.  Reading those short grabs of reviews on the inside of the front cover is really exciting and to have that dilemma of which book to read, makes me appreciate not only the freedom of choice to study any idea I wish to but to express my thoughts without censorship, which is something I take for granted and really forget to appreciate most days.

I may be slightly biased but I can’t think of any other passion that has the same amount of depth and emotion and gives back ten fold anything put in and has the capacity to move a person as reading does. Despite all that ,there I sat contemplating life instead of this pile of fine literature before me.  Namely whereabouts is cheap to eat now I’ve spent quite a lot and more importantly could I get away with writing in a café all day as a job?

I picked up a couple of books later on that day from another shop, including the book on the left The Island of Gold which is a first edition from 1898, it’s not worth much in monetary terms (I checked naturally) but I like the feeling of holding something real, that’s old and still in good condition and ready for me to indulge in.

This book already has a history before I create my own with said bundle of leaves and its that touch of the past which gives the experience of exploring its contents so much more palpable a feeling, bridging between two times and perspectives on literature, life and what makes a good story.  Once again in these posts, I have to reiterate our luckiness as readers to be able to undertake an adventure in deeper ways than just the picking up of a book may suggest to the outside world.