When was the last time you gave a book to someone? And did you write a dedication? I just came across
this website, which gathers together dedications found in second-hand books. Each tells a story - you could construct whole novels out of most of them. This might provide some light relief from revision, and encourage you to give someone you love a book, too.
I have some old Turkish novels given to my parents by their friends from university, they have little dedications or notes like those ones. I have found one book, child's book, full of riddles and the explanation of some childish magical tricks given to me by my friend when I was 9 years old, he wrote: "Don't try to trick me with those, enjoy it!" It feels good when you see them after a long while.
ReplyDeleteSecond hand book stores have always been my first choice when I'm in search for a book! They're simply impressive. Especially the idea what grabs me most about them is that each book there has a story besides what's literally printed on the pages-- and that story is unknown; open to your imagination! Impressive...
ReplyDeleteSelver
As Walter Benjamin says, the acquisition of an old book is its rebirth (or should be!).
ReplyDeleteMaybe one of you should start up a similar 'dedications' blog, for dedications in Turkish. One of the many incentives I have to learn Turkish properly (ama Turkcem cok az!) is walking past the second-hand book stalls almost every day. All those intriguing books I can't read. I'm writing this on the train to Edinburgh from Oxford, where I spent an hour or so rummaging in the bookshops. The smell!