I walked in the door last weekend from Half Price Books, clutching a paperback copy of Roy Adkins’ Nelson’s Trafalgar: The Battle That Changed the World. Shannon’s response was loving and surprised. “Another book? You haven’t started the last one you bought!”
She was referring to Nathaniel Philbrick’s Mayflower: A Story of Courage, Community, and War. But regardless of the titles, the point was one she has made time and again. If I had a dollar for every time we’ve had that conversation, then, well, sweet! More money for books!
It got me thinking, though, while I was pouring through the stacks of books at the amazing bookstore at Together for the Gospel. Why do I buy books? I couldn’t possible read everything on my shelves from cover to cover, so it’s admittedly quite a natural question that Shannon asks - why? Well, several reasons…
1. To Read Them.
This is the most obvious reason. Books beg to be read, that’s why they’re written. Some I do (believe it or not) actually read cover to cover. Currently working on (as I often do) several at once:
- The Puritan classic The Secret Key to Heaven: The Vital Importance of Private Prayer. Why? I want to commune with God better in my private prayer life.
- Also, about to (hopefully) finish up Church History in Plain Language.
- Also reading, on occasion, William Shirer’s very long but classic history, The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich.
Next up? Possibly one of the two history books mentioned at the top of this article, or I’ll restart Post Captain, which I started and stalled out on a while back. Of course, I may just start on one of the books I got at T4G.
2. For Reference
Some are obvious reference titles, like encyclopedias or Bible commentaries (though they can make for good reading, too!). But with the exception of fiction, generally, any good book worth owning and reading is also worth referring to. (Big pet peeve: Why do most Christian books not have subject indexes? Drives me nuts.)
3. To Browse at Home
Few will probably understand this, but I like to have a large library that I can browse at home. When I want to read something new, I don’t want to necessarily go to the bookstore, as strange as that sounds for someone who loves to buy books. No, I’d rather browse my own shelves, and remember when I bought that one, and think, “OK, now is the time for you.”
4. To Loan Them Out
Many times I will be talking with friends, family, coworkers… And they will say “do you know of any good books on X?” And it is my blessing to be able to say, “Yes, I’ve got just the book for you. I’ve not read it all the way through, but I’ve browsed it over, and can’t wait to read it myself. In the meantime, though, it’s well-reviewed by people I respect, so you are welcome to borrow it.” The library then becomes a form of hospitality, and it is my privilege to be able to share that.
So… any recommendations for my library? I’ll see you at the bookstore!
2 Timothy 4:1313 When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments. (ESV)
