Books Books Books, I'm looking for the good times

I love Books. I love reading them, browsing them, flicking through them, nodding sagely at books that I've already read, gasping excitedly at discovering a book I've been meaning to read, pulling it off the shelf and immersing myself in it even for a few brief moments.

The first place I home in on when I walk into someone's house is their bookshelf. I barely say hello, often forget to scrape off the doggy-do from my tainted shoes, such is my haste. Any girl who can't share that desire, that unquenchable thirst for knowledge and childish yearning to discover more is not for me. Sorry Pamela, you got the wrong Kid, though this one does also Rock!

I'll read history, philosophy, faction, fiction, really really bad trashy fiction that you are too embarassed to tell anyone but you secretly love. Biographies, classics, not-yet-classics, harry potters, science, Torah related books on a variety of subjects. An eclectic mix that broadens my horizons, tantalizes me, expands my experience and enriches my world.

I can't imagine a world without books, a wintery friday night without something to curl up to and escape the pounding rain, a long summer Shabbat afternoon in the garden with a cold coke and a good book. Long live google, bring on the World Electronic Library but don't take away my books.

Some of you will be nodding right now. WAKE UP! But seriously, not everyone is as lucky as me. There are those who did not really grow up with reading books as a part of their life. Nowadays many spend their time boggle-eyed on IM and reading every sports page available just in case someone else thinks the Colts won't make 16-0.

Others have been very restricted in what they can read. I've been into these people's houses. A fair number of them grew up in open homes, with a liberal tolerant philosphy as to what they could read, but due to various pressures, more social than religious, they no longer keep anything unkosher on their shelves. I understand the attitude, I just can't agree with it. It is G-d's world we are reading about here. I might post another time about how important questioning and discovering outside inspiration is to improving Emunah, but Ein Kan Makom Lehaarich.

I recently heard about the Book Thing. What an incredible idea. I think we should spread this idea across the world. Especially in Jerusalem, I remember not finding a library in Jerusalem, and I think the idea of an open book place for people to donate or take books as they please would be fantastic. Any volunteers?

Thank you L-rd for providing us with this wonderful vehicle for transmitting knowledge and for granting us Johannes Gutenberg without whom our lives would be much poorer.

p.s. anyone know the song reference in the title?

a rejewvenated TRK