Collections

 It is an irresistible urge in many people to collect...things.  Whatever primordial drive it is that leads people to collect objects of any description, it seems to be a fairly common one.  There is even a TV show devoted to examining the collections (in this case, mostly show business related) of extraordinarily devoted collectors.  I, myself, have previously covered my hobby-level collecting of typewriters- nothing that would earn any attention, much less a TV show appearance.  But I also collect books.  Primarily books I read, or intend to eventually read.  After reading them, I rarely part with them, so over a long-ish lifetime, there is now a sizable library in my home.  My "to be read" (TBR) list is long, and the plan has always been to whittle down this list in my retirement years, when I hope to have more time to devote to printed matter.  But then there are other books that I collect because they are collectable.  Rare, old, author autographed, or otherwise noteworthy, these join the household library because of some quality that makes them a special volume.  Sometimes these are also read, and sometimes they are merely admired for existing.  A recent NY Times article reassured me that I am not alone in my accumulation tendencies.  Thus affirmed, I expect I will go on adding to the library, to whatever end it is that I do this.  Collectors rarely have and end goal, I think, but engage in their hunt to accumulate for its own purposes.

So along those lines, my most recent addition is a travel book from Jack Chesher entitled London: A Guide for Curious Wanderers.  I really like the whimsical and historical anecdotes in this book, and the colorful illustrations.  I've been to London a couple times, and hopefully will return some day soon.  When I do, this book will go with me.