sarasuperid Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 I was chatting with some fine folks here and the discussion got onto expensive books. One witch pointed out that although he owns a highly sought over potion book, it is most definately not in mint collectables condition, because he uses it. Since it is basically a recipe book, it gets splotches on it of whatever he is making. I found that really refreshing, and although I am still careful with my fancy books, I use them, and i am going to lightn up a bit. A recipe book is made to be used cooking and a potion book is made to be used brewing. Of course upon that realization, I promptly got a splotch of water on the cover that had splashed on my sweater when washing my hands and then transferred to my book whilst reading. See its not so bad, already broken in for me now. Whether the book is expensive or not, some of us were taught to treat books like china dolls. And I realized that metaphorically regardless of how you treat the actual papers, a witch has to dig in, respond to the book, use the book to further her efforts. She should be served by the book, rather than being wrapped up in keeping the book nice, hallowing its words and holding it in esteem above themselves. So how do you interact with books? Do you write in them, dog ear them and have them them out where they can get dirty? Or do you carefully preserve them and wrap them in dust jackets, keeping them far from contaminents? I love my books, and I don't think I'll be writing in them, I might even transfer the recipes out by hand so the book doesn't get splotches, but I do gotta loosen up a bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aloe Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 If I know I'm never going to sell them I'll dig in and allow them to get some 'me' on them lol.. but I also have some very expensive and highly sought after witchcraft books that I may sell someday. I like them and am learning some things from them, but they still have a 'foreign' feel to me, and I don't know that I'll keep them forever. Or perhaps my own reticence with them is what causes them to continue to feel foreign to me, and if I committed to keeping them and working them in a more tactile way they'd feel different. Hmm... On another note (but still related to the topic) there are some books that I buy cheap copies of in order to tear out pages and use them in spellcraft. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thevioletsunflower Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 I'm with Aloe. I love "interactive" books like I can really get down and dirty with but I also love books that I feel are too 'nice' to do that with. For the most part I don't write in books or take them where they can get messy but there are those few that have gotten a lot of extra attention. Funny enough this started happening when I got into Wicca. You could tell the books I loved and referenced a lot because they were very warn, dirty, and torn. On a side note I do prefer to write in pencil in books and lightly. It's less garish, doesn't distract from the text itself, and I can erase it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nineheart Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 I don't have any of the expensive books that were mentioned, but I strive to keep my books in mint condition; well kinda :sweat:. Whenever I buy a new book I thoroughly investigate it's cover, if it's even slightly peeling or there is a minuscule amount of damage I would refuse to buy it. However, I'm not that bad any more; I still look through the stack to find the best one, but if that's got a bit of damage so what? As soon as I start reading it, the book get's creased and the cover peels etc, it won't stay perfect unless I don't read it and if that's the case why buy it . I've learnt to get over with having everything perfect, but I still try to buy the books perfect; I guess it's knowing that it was once new and a clean slate before I started using it. Also, I don't take notes or write in books, at least not in this point in time. I prefer to reference the page / paragraph and write out detailed notes in a journal etc rather than scribble over the pages; although I suppose if it's a recipe book I would amend it according to what I've learnt / discovered, but a general non-fiction / academic book I wouldn't write in it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
builtTOUGH Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 I like keeping them nice... meaning all the pages are there and the words are still legible. But I'm known to underline, circle, highlight, fold pages in half so I can return to them. And a few stains won't hurt it. If I came across a few stains already in a book I'd smile and think the recipe/whatever may not be easy but is worth it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cam Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 I was chatting with some fine folks here and the discussion got onto expensive books. One witch pointed out that although he owns a highly sought over potion book, it is most definately not in mint collectables condition, because he uses it. Since it is basically a recipe book, it gets splotches on it of whatever he is making. I found that really refreshing, and although I am still careful with my fancy books, I use them, and i am going to lightn up a bit. A recipe book is made to be used cooking and a potion book is made to be used brewing. Of course upon that realization, I promptly got a splotch of water on the cover that had splashed on my sweater when washing my hands and then transferred to my book whilst reading. See its not so bad, already broken in for me now. Whether the book is expensive or not, some of us were taught to treat books like china dolls. And I realized that metaphorically regardless of how you treat the actual papers, a witch has to dig in, respond to the book, use the book to further her efforts. She should be served by the book, rather than being wrapped up in keeping the book nice, hallowing its words and holding it in esteem above themselves. So how do you interact with books? Do you write in them, dog ear them and have them them out where they can get dirty? Or do you carefully preserve them and wrap them in dust jackets, keeping them far from contaminents? I love my books, and I don't think I'll be writing in them, I might even transfer the recipes out by hand so the bookdoesn't get splotches, but I do gotta loosen up a bit. I keep my books in near as mint condition as possible. Of course a witch is going to be using his books (if he didn't, then whats the point of having them - imo), thats a given, but I think it can be done without getting stuff on them. Books are going to age regardless due to the environment - light, air etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michele Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 My books are well loved and like the proverbial velveteen rabbit, they show it. They are highlighted, dog-eared, notes in margins, splotches, cat-paw prints, wrinkles from me sleeping on/with them, stains, curled pages.... anyone who found one of my books would know instantly it was loved. If one finds a pristine book on my shelf, they'd know not to bother reading it! M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whiterose Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 My goal is to have a large library full of books with "character" so most of my books get the attention they are due based on whether I find their content interesting. My favorite books I have several copies because they get alot of abuse, so I get the paperback all messed up, creased and worn while the hardcover I try to keep pristine.. Things like recipe books that get used all the time are meant to be written in, and spotched. If I had expensive craft books, I would try to keep them nice though because I wouldn't be replacing them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jevne Posted February 1, 2012 Share Posted February 1, 2012 I have a library in my house, which shelves my 'nice' books, mostly classics, early editions, hard-to-find or rare editions, etc. I have read all of them, several times, but I keep them primarily for their literary content. I love books with interesting physical characteristics, too, such as unusual bindings, hand-drawn illustrations, and pop-ups, but I wouldn't have a book, simply for how cool it looked. I'm more interested in substance. That being said, I do not own many alleged 'Witchcraft' books. I do not find them useful in my Craft. Besides my Book, I mostly use recipe books, herbals, and other reference books. Those are extremely "loved" with highlights, underlining, notes in the margin, stains, folds, etc. Jevne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michele Posted February 1, 2012 Share Posted February 1, 2012 Now this is interesting: The guys who answered all like it neat, mint, and pristine. The gals who answered get down and dirty with their books, lol. Things that make you go "hummmmmmmm".... M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abhainn Posted February 1, 2012 Share Posted February 1, 2012 (edited) Was thinking, that if you want to keep the book clean, but still want to get some use out of it, use a cookbook holder with a plexiglass cover. That way, the book stays open, and protected from splashes, etc, but still can be used. See the picture attached. I don't have any books that are so precious to me that I can't get down and dirty with them. I highlight, dog-ear, write notes, add stickies, whatever needs to be done. And the ones that are expensive that I can't afford, I have on pdf, so I can just print out what I want. On the other hand, I have some antique books from the mid-1800s that I have in a case and have read all of once. Poetry, though, not magic. Edited February 1, 2012 by Abhainn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mountain Witch Posted February 1, 2012 Share Posted February 1, 2012 I was raised that books are precious things and although I advocate highlighting, underlining, whatever, I just can't bring myself to do it on my own. This is one of the reasons I created my database in the first place. That also eliminates the need for "hmmm, which book did I find that in?" And, like Jevne, I don't own that many craft-related books. The majority of our library is literature, many old, a lot of first editions. The majority of his library is fishing reference; my library is reference books like old herbals, botanical references, etc. (All three are in separate places.) (M, just shot your theory all to hell, didn't I? ;)) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jevne Posted February 1, 2012 Share Posted February 1, 2012 I was raised that books are precious things . . . BTW, I have written all over your books. (Just saying . . .) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacey Posted February 1, 2012 Share Posted February 1, 2012 GASP! Dirty my books? Are you outta your ever lovin mind? Now that that is out the way, I am a bit anal about my books, I do tend to keep them neat and tidy and clean - and I am a selfish bookie because I often won't lend them out (yes yes bad me!). I have a really battered exercise book that holds all of the recipes, mixes etc that I have copied out of my reading books so that is really well worn. I prefer to do it that way because then my books stay nice...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oceanasmoon Posted February 1, 2012 Share Posted February 1, 2012 I looooove my books and it shows. Highlights, dog-ears. I sleep with them, stack them, spill things on them, they are mine. Hell, even my cat chews on the corners sometimes. But I don't own any expensive books. Are you kidding? I have 3 kids.... even the old kid books have crayon marks in them. I gave up a long time ago at trying to keep things nice and neat. :witch_bounce: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michele Posted February 1, 2012 Share Posted February 1, 2012 lol - I was also raised to take care of one's things, including books, and to keep them neat. But then again I also had to make my bed every morning. I never make my bed now. It's been years since I've "made" it. I just toss the comforter over the whole thing. I don't like lovely, pristine, tucked-in beds. They don't look welcoming to me, lol... so mine is puffy and messy and full of feathers and looks (to me) like something I just want to jump into. I suppose my books look the same, lol!! M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whiterose Posted February 1, 2012 Share Posted February 1, 2012 BTW, I have written all over your books. (Just saying . . .) LOL! I haven't yet, but I have every intention of doing the same. But then again, she put note pages in them.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8people Posted February 1, 2012 Share Posted February 1, 2012 I do not write in books. I do not fold pages. I keep them clean, safe and intact. I genuinely get upset when someone shows disregard to a book, hell i get upset if I drop a book and it bends the pages irreversably! Something my partner finds hilarious <_< I get enjoyment out of my books, they get used, read, reread, and kept in a nice condition. Regardless of the monetary value or subject matter. Treating them with disregard does not to me speak of a more well-loved book. To me seeing a book bent, dog eared and scrawled in speaks to me more of damage than care. Just how I was raised. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Grimr Posted February 1, 2012 Share Posted February 1, 2012 I love my books dearly, but I love the work that they inspire even more - and this shows. Splotches, exploding potions, tears, blood, sweat - it's all there, and I love the books even more for it. I have a friend that likes to joke that we "feed" our books... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mountain Witch Posted February 1, 2012 Share Posted February 1, 2012 BTW, I have written all over your books. (Just saying . . .) Uh-huh. See pages 4-5 in Herbs ...:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloogal Posted February 1, 2012 Share Posted February 1, 2012 It depends on my love of them quite often. Those I refer to regularly have tended to get dog eared over the years-spines cracked, and generally battered (despite my care). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grymdycche Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 With me, I guess it depends.. but most books, by far, I treat like sacred items on a pedestal. I love me books.It's not that hard to read a book well without beating the hell out of it, and post-it notes generally work fine for bookmarking and making annotations without damaging the pages in any way. Lesser, workbook type of books though.. there are a handful I've dog-eared and highlighted, but I'm much more likely to do that to magazines (but generally tech, not magic, related). On rare occasions, if the book is not too expensive but very useful or insightful to me, I might buy a second copy, leaving the first pristine, and marking up the second. Win!Yet other times, I'll find a PDF version of the book and simply print out those pages that I find "workbook"esque or particularly handy. But, so long as someone is getting real use out of their book, I don't hold it against someone if it gets beat up -at least at least they're getting the most out of it. (As long as it's not MY copy.! :biting: But then, I don't really lend out my books to anyone! )I only get uppity if they neglect their book in general. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kupala Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 So how do you interact with books? Do you write in them, dog ear them and have them them out where they can get dirty? Or do you carefully preserve them and wrap them in dust jackets, keeping them far from contaminents? I love my books, and I don't think I'll be writing in them, I might even transfer the recipes out by hand so the book doesn't get splotches, but I do gotta loosen up a bit.If I'm not going to sell the book, I dog-ear it and carry it everywhere. I mark it, sometimes with pencil but usually with pen. There are a couple of books I should probably just get spiral bound, like the herbal reference books. Novels get the worst treatment, a lot of them are now missing their covers from being read so much (and I buy a ton of used books anyway, come to that). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oneironaut Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 Books (and I am refering to Books of the Arte) are gifts. Each page of letters and numbers coordinating in an agreed upon meaning of your present tribe / culture so-as to convey thoughts, dreams, experiences...even the words of the Divine. OK, a little over dramatic. Seriously though, to the uneducated of the past books & scrolls very much radiated an aura of magic. Scribbles on paper or parchment that were created and interpreted by the learned, the scholars, the priests. Even unto the last few centuries when Books of Magic began appearing such as Barret's "The Magus", Agrippa's "Three Books", assorted translations of "The Keys of Solomon". In many cases these were worth their weight in gold, and much would be paid to even get a glimpse at the mysteries contained therein. Those who beheld them treated these books as treasures, and so do I. On another vein, some of my books may never see print again, which makes them rare. I'd like to be able to pass them on to my children if they follow a similar path, so I maintain them well until that day. Lastly, as I am in the process of illuminating my own Grimoire, I have found that there can be a connection betwixt Scribe and Book. A small part of myself is being shared, ever so slightly imprinting upon Its pages. There are examples elsewhere as well, such as some of the works (ex: the Monadic Transmissions) of Andrew Chumbley; each book empowered and blessed upon creation. I cannot bring myself to disrespect the creator by mistreating the creation. If I need to remember certain quotes or pages, I have a notebook and bookmarks aplenty. Yes, I am a bibliophile. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akashiel Posted March 2, 2012 Share Posted March 2, 2012 Books, particularly books about magick, are propably the most organized, most protected and best kept items in my apartment. I get angry with people, even my best friends, for even touching those books without my permission. Any spells or potions or whatever I need are pretty much kept in my personal grimoire, so there is no possibility of damage to the books by the way of spilled candlewax or something similar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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