I probably have accumulated tons of books over the years since I began to love reading and also when I develop the desire to articulate my mind through writing. As I consider my books as my best friend and my all-time companion, I have tried my best to look after them and protect them from their enemies—worms and water (in my personal experience). Another enemy, according to Brett, to which I definitely agree with --is people who borrow books from you and never return them.
It was unfortunate however, that I was not able to protect my books when I left Manila to migrate to Australia. When I returned for them, I found them already damaged by flood, if not by worms. I wish I could take with me the books that have been of great help to me as a student and a person like Genetics by Strickberger, Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges, The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale, Holiness by JC Ryle, my few books on writing and journalism, and my two art books on landscapes and seacapes, as well as my Scandinavian cooking books-- but all these were badly damaged. As much as I wanted my book called Joni by Joni Eareckson, I knew this was quite an impossibility because I had lent it to someone and never got it back.
Anyway, my coming back for my books was not a total disappointment, because, as worn out as it was, I went back to Sydney, with the pocketbook that helped me a lot when I was studying Radiation Genetics and Radiation Biology. This book is called Atomic Radiation and Life by Peter Alexander.
As I left my house in Park Homes during that homecoming, I consoled myself with the thought that I could always buy copies of these books I once had. Anyway, I have already accumulated books since I arrived in Sydney. For documentation, the very first book I bought was Ryrie’s Study Bible, the New American Standard Bible version. I wanted to buy it very much then when I was a theology student, but couldn't--because I could not really squeezed it in my budget.
Today,23 October, I should really be having delivered the three bookcases I ordered from a local furniture shop. Since Brett and I walked into this furniture shop two weeks ago, I had been wishing that days would be shorter so I‘d get these bookcases (two measuring 3x5 and one measuring 3x6). I wanted them very much so I could organise all the books that had been lying for ages on the floor of the extension of my house. Everytime I passed them by, I always told myself I should not be treating these books like this. Even if these books, except for my cooking, gardening books and The Purpose- Driven Life by Rick Warren, could be classified as already archivable, I still enjoy browsing or skimming through their pages every now and then. I thought jsut as I regard my old friends as priceless, I should regard these books just the same. As old as these books are, they had contributed to my growth as a person. That's why I bought these bookcases to give these books their proper place.
However, I was not thinking the bookcases would come earlier than I expected them. I thank God I had become wiser, ie by having just put the minimum deposit. I remember what my big brother Nimrod told me when I was stressing out chasing a piece of furniture I paid in full because it never got delivered on time. He said to me then, don't pay anything in full until it is delivered. Everybody knows that! (except me?)
I needed these extra bookcases because my archivable books have no more room in what my sister refer to as Lilian's Library (which is actually my study). The custom -built bookshelves that run from the floor to the ceiling were full-packed. These housed most of my favourite books in theology, arts, literature and medicine. I also have in this room copies of the Marquis Who’s Who in the World, Who's Who in Science and Engineering where I am one of the biographees, my thick Ph D thesis and my newly bought, thick Macquarie Dictionary (Australia’s National Dictionary). I used to have in this room also my thick Webster Dictionary which I bought as soon as I could because I was not able to bring back the one I got in my house in Manila. I have already brought Webster down to my extension so I'll have one good realiable dictionary here.
It could have been better if I could just have all my books in one place in my house because at the moment I got books everywhere. I have all my devotionals, Sabbath school lessons booklets somewhere else, ie in a spot which I thought should be a place where I could do my meditations.
The present arrangement of my books suits me perfectly at the moment. When I could not fall asleep or could not go to sleep after waking in the middle of the night or at dawn, I could easily walk into my study which is just next to the room where I sleep.
During day time I spend most of my readings and writing in the extension as there is so much sun in this room.
Technically, I know could get rid of all my books because all the information I might ever need are at my fingertips by just surfing the internet. However, I prefer to keep my books. I like the feel of them. I love the colours, the cover designs and of course their contents.
The three little books I particularly love in a special way are my own two books Strings of Words and Solitude which has perfect binding and green cover, Love Across the Sky which is cloth bound and has purple cover. The third one is called Italian Dreams which is also cloth bound and has a dark orange cover. At times I take them out of the shelves and group them together as shown in the picture and just take delight looking at them. Sometimes I wish I was the one who wrote Italian Dreams because I like its cover, it presentation and the pictures inside them. One dream I have in fact is to be able to publish something like this little book.
I’m continually organising my books so that they could be at my service when I need them and also, if I may put it, give them the due respect I owe them. Why? because my books have made me wiser, more knowledgeable and happier. Through my cooking books, I am now able to confidently cook chicken curry. Through them, I am also able to give my mother foods that are not harmful for her medical conditions. If I need to be entertained, my books are just there always waiting to serve me and make me feel good.
Hmmm! It is good to be a bibliophile. My books is my best friend and all-time companion. With them, I never feel alone.
