I like to read so it shouldn’t surprise anyone I maintain a home library. The responses I get from people when they discover that fact is something I’ve had to learn how to manage. Most people don’t read much so I don’t talk about my library. Expecting other people to share one of my passions would be unreasonable but since I don’t hide it either it comes up occasionally. I work from home. My books are visible behind me on video calls only because I don’t have a better spot to place my work laptop. Again, I get unsolicited comments on my library. The library is upstairs so when my wife and I entertain guests or friends drop by I don’t have to explain my hobby.
The questions I get from people make it clear a full-height bookshelf is pretentious. So many of the lines I have to field reveal enough insecurities to put me in line for a psychology degree. Over the years, as I’ve thought up comebacks, it’s become evident many people don’t understand home libraries.
Have you read them all?
When I’m feeling irritable, I say “No! I haven’t read one. It’s all a lie!” In better spirits I’ll say “Oh, no. Those are just the ones I’ve read this month. The rest are stored in the back.” Or “No, and if I don’t finish these by the end of the month I’m finished.” Asking someone if they’ve read everything in their library is like visiting someone’s wine cellar and asking if they’re drained all the bottles. The question is asked in hopes they can show you up as an imposter.
The trouble is, the question reveals more about the questioner than they realize. Anyone who has read every book on their shelf is using the shelf as a trophy case. If you meet someone like that, walk away. You don’t want to waste time with a weirdo like that.
The point of a home library is to hold the books you’re going to read, may read again, use for reference or loan to a friend. I don’t know what percentage of my books I’ve read and taking count would be pointless. It’s constantly changing. When I finish a book, if it isn’t good I get rid of it. I don’t waste space on turkeys. This doesn’t even factor in reference books. I use online dictionaries and thesauruses for many things but I have rhyming dictionaries, Japanese language and character dictionaries and a 1946 unabridged dictionary to see how definitions change over the years. No one reads a dictionary cover-to-cover. Asking someone “Have you read them all?” is an ignorant question.
You must be smart!
I don’t detect any malice in this one. Some people think only intellectuals keep a bookshelf as tall as a person that holds only books. My replies are milder. “Smart enough to use a credit card.” Or “If I could understand them, then I’d be smart.” I usually don’t take the time to explain reading books doesn’t make one smart. Reading good books with accurate information makes people smart. You have to spend some time reading before you develop the ability to separate the good stuff from the bad.
I think the benefit of reading is not becoming more intelligent but increasing your perspective. By reading old books you can develop the perspective of a person who has been alive for hundreds of years. A lot of the current controversies and headlines look quite different when you know what people were worried about in the 1800s or before.
Why don’t you just use the library?
My only reply is “I wish I could.” Most people don’t know the libraries of today are not the libraries of yesteryear. The three libraries near me are terrible places. They don’t have what I want to read and even if they did they put so many barriers between me and the books it has become ridiculous. In my youth I explored library shelves to find new authors. Now library shelves make it clear how many authors are excluded. On the rare occasions I can speak to a librarian I immediately wish I hadn’t. A home library is more convenient than I thought it would be. For the junior high through high school years, at the start of each school year my sons bring their book list to my bookshelf. They usually find a number of their required books already waiting for them. It has saved me money.
A home library has been worth the time and money to build up. I now have an adequate stock of quick replies for the questions I receive. Don’t let anyone put you down for having a decent bookshelf. Use one of my comebacks and see if it serves.
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