Last night, I fell into conversation with an acquaintance who owns a market stall. My acquaintance sells a good many books (all second-hand), old records and similar items. Many of the people who buy from him are book lovers, however a lady recently bought a whole series of Penguin Classics (all with identical spines) to furnish the home of a person who (I suspect) is more interested in the social status gained by the ownership of an original set of Penguins than in any benefit derived from the pleasure of actually reading them. Indeed the lady doing the buying told my acquaintance that she was an interior decorator who had been specifically commissioned to purchase books for purely decorative purposes. My friend is a lover of literature and did consider not selling to the customer. However, we all must live. Consequently a sale was made and a set of Penguins, with identical spines are now (or soon will be) gracing a bookcase where they will, in all probability languish unread.
While the above incident is sad, it is not unusual. Many a country squire was more interested in hunting, shooting and fishing than in the pleasures of the mind. Although many such gentlemen where possessed of fine libraries, the bookcases often remained undisturbed, apart from the dustings of servants, and perhaps the attentions of a curious house guest or a blue stocking daughter, or other relative who might, on occasion take down and enjoy one of the leather bound tomes.
While I can’t claim that every book on my bookshelves has been read, I have always purchased them with the intention of reading, and most of the volumes in my bookcases have been well thumbed and enjoyed. What about you, my dear readers, have you ever bought a book with the sole intention of displaying (rather than reading it)?
K Morris - Poet 
I used to have an extensive library of real books, but had to dispose of them all, because they were affecting my breathing (emphysema) because of dust and ink fumes.
Now I have a full kindle library, most of which I’ve read, and working my way through the remainder as often as I can.
Thanks for your comment, Chris. Its a shame you had to give away your library of paper books. However I can completely understand why you had no alternative other than to do so given your health condition.
As a child I was diagnosed with an allergic reaction to house dust. Sometimes it triggers but, fortunately I have been able to retain my physical library.
Its great that you are working your way through your Kindle library, as so many people purchase e-books (or obtain them free) and never read them.
Best – Kevin
Reblogged this on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog and commented:
Please let Kevin know YOUR thoughts, using the comments under his original blog post 😃
Many thanks for sharing, Chris. Much appreciated.
Welcome, Kevin
On a recent visit to Stourhead, a National Trust poperty known more for its beautiful man made gardens than its house, we went round the house and in the library they were devotedly dusting the books. I asked two questions – does anyone ever read these books? _ Yes you can apply.
Did the original family read them all? – OH YES, the library was their entertainment and learning centre. Many of the books look the same because books came without covers and owners of libraries would order matching covers and spines so the books looked good.
As for the Penguins, perhaps they will be preserved and rediscovered one day.
Thank you for commenting. I have learned something new, as I was not aware that books at that time came without covers. Its good to know that the family read the books on their shelves and that one can still apply to do so today.
I meant to add that you are, I hope correct in that people will perhaps read those Penguins in the future.
Never! I have a few as-yet-unread books… but love the ongoing process of reading through them.
Thanks for your comment, Sue. Its good to know that you have read most of the books you own, and of those you haven’t yet enjoyed, you fully intend to read.
I do, Kevin. And I have an awful lot of books in my care… many of them old friends I know almost by heart .
It is sad to hear that books can be seen as nothing more than trinkets to some, instead of loved sources of knowledge, entertainment, escapism, or whatever else the reader can gain from their ownership. When we were packing up to move house, about 18 months ago, we had to dispose of about 30 bin bags full from our beloved collection, which had been added to over the 32 years we’d been married. There simply wouldn’t have been room to keep them all. It was such a difficult decision to make, deciding which ones to keep & which had to go. I do hope they ended up going to other happy homes, where they continue to provide hours of pleasure to their new owners. Our only saving grace, was that we donated them to charity. I do still have books that are waiting to be read, but they’re certainly not just for show. Maybe, just maybe, the new owners, or visitors to their home, will be curious enough to take a look! 🤞
Many thanks for your comment, Debbie. I can imagine how difficult it must have been to determine which books should be kept and which be donated to charity shops/second hand book stores. I also hope that your former treasures found good homes and that they are now being enjoyed by their new owners. All the best – Kevin
Thank you, Kevin..I hope they are too. 🙂
Reblogged this on The Perils of Improbable Potholes and commented:
Some books are bought as investments. For others, they may be ornamentation.
If the works are preserved, then the act may make older works available to future readers.
Most books depreciate like a stone in plummet from a cliff, so ordinary “fungible” books are not a good investment.
Thank you for sharing my post. You make a good point regarding how simply displaying books can help to preserve them for future generations. Best wishes – Kevin
I have gone to library sales and bought reference books, sometimes expensive ones, for pennies on the dollar to preserve them as a gift for yet some unknown, maybe unborn person.
Buying those reference books in order to preserve them for future generations was an act of generosity on your part. The same acquaintance who owns the market stall, told me how, in a charity shop in which he volunteers they received a set of Britannicas dating from the 60’s. I think these where sent for recycling as no one wanted out of date works of reference. This is a shame as old works of reference can be of historical value.
100% agreement. Those old works need to be preserved for the reason you mention. And if they contain errors, then so much the better. Often they can be had for pennies on the dollar. Amazing finds are at library sales and the discount section of used book stores. If the author is still alive, they can be a superb subject matter expert.
I have a 1977 edition of “The Fontana Dictionary of Modern Thought” on the bookcase in the room used as my study. I can’t imagine parting with it and sometimes look through the outdated entries, for example on Communism or artificial intelligence. Since the work appeared, the Soviet Union and the Eastern bloc has collapsed, while AI has developed in leaps and bounds. As someone who read history and politics at university I find such outdated entries fascinating.
AND they are a tremendous resource for writing. “Mindset” can be difficult to reconstruct from current writings on past periods. If you needed to reconstruct the thinking of the mid 1970s, that volume becomes invaluable.
You make an excellent point about reconstructing the thinking of the past. Thanks for engaging on my blog. All the best – Kevin
Never. I have books I haven’t read yet, but every book I buy – regardless of format – I intend to read at some point. Whether I will get to reading all the books is another matter entirely, but I certainly plan to try.
Thanks, Tori. That is how I work as well – all the books I own I have either read, or intend to read. Best wishes – Kevin
In answer to you final question. No, never.
Many thanks for commenting. Its good to know that you buy books to read rather than for display purposes. Best wishes – Kevin
To answer your question: Never ever! And I’m never gonna do that!
Why does this interior lady not look for those “fake books” stores use to decorate their show rooms?
Many thanks for your comment. Its good to know that all your books are bought for reading and not for display. You raise an interesting question. Maybe the person for whom the interior decorator was buying felt that there is real value in the genuine article (the book), even if he had no intention of actually reading the books on his shelves. Possibly he also wishes to avoid the embarrassment of a guest taking down a book from the shelves to read, only to discover that it is an empty shell! Best wishes – Kevin
Never! I have a library stuffed with hundreds of books on various places and periods in history that I always intend to read. Many were found in used bookstores or at library sales. Being an author, I have referred to a number of these treasures for inspiration and historical accuracy. It kills me to part with any of them!
Many thanks for your comment, Lyn. I am glad to hear that you purchase books for the love of reading, rather than decorative purposes. Like you, I intend to read all of those books I am lucky enough to possess. Best wishes – Kevin