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One of the big projects for today is to pack up all my books. Some of them are going into storage and a small select few are going with me to Prague. But the majority of them are being donated. It's kinda breaking my heart. I know I can find these books again, either in physical copies or simply for my kindle. But, well, I guess I'm pretty attached to my books. Reading was always an escape for me during my childhood and, in many ways, it still is.

In the past hour my copy of The People's History of the United States has transported me back to Sr. Nelson, who was the fiercest teacher I've ever had but also flipped my world upside down in the best possible way. My battered copy of Living with HIV brought back so very memories, some of the worst times of my life but also some of the most brilliant. That William Carlos Williams collection reminded me of a lost friend and the knowledge that you can learn from past mistakes and save a friendship on the brink. In the Complete Works of Shakespeare I found a love letter I'd tucked in there for safe-keeping; it was from a long-lost love but a lovely thing to come upon.

And, silly as it may sound, I'm not ready to put some of these books into the donation pile. But, I can't keep them all either. So, I'd like to propose an exchange, if you'd like a book, I'd be happy to send you one. In exchange, i ask for a letter - it can be an actual letter, a postcard, a two-liner card; just something that reminds me that my books have gone to a good home. Does that sound reasonable?

If you'd like to play, comment! I'll list some genres you can choose from and then we can discuss specifics. I'm not screening comments so I'll sort address questions out later. EVERYONE is welcome to play, as long as you don't mind giving me your address. :)

Genres: history, biographies, textbooks (american history, lit. and a some education), teaching guides/resources, poetry, children's books and a bunch random novels.

eta: one thing, if i'll be seeing you during our road trip of d00m, you'll be getting your book then. <3

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Love a book. something Poetic, maybe, or a History [have Howard Zinn, know nothing about The Church, really]. Or a biography- I'm easy.

Better World Books will take lots off your hands, if you need that- I've donated there when I've got things I can't sell on Amazon or give away to friends/the sale table at the bank [for the Human Race] etc.

A letter to your NOW address? or your NEW address?

I have so many books that I think you'll like. I'll choose one and happily send it along.

That seems a great organization! I suspect I'll be donating to the local library here because they are desperately in need of resources.

Hmm, good question. Let's say new address! It will be good to have things waiting for me or arriving soon after I get there. I'll PM you the new addy. :)

I would love to give a poetry book a new home, if that'd be all right ♥. Maybe I'll write you a poem in return - or I actually have some really nice postcards which would be perfect for this....

Oh, me, please! I would LOVE to own one of your books. ♥ And I'd be more than happy to write you many letters in return. (Or even some fic! I know how you heart epistolary fiction. :D)

Ahhh! I wish I were seeing you on your road trip. Maybe someday. *smish*

Teaching guides and resources are rather timely for me as that's exactly what I'm looking for right now (I know you do young child education - I'm researching adult education, but I figured it couldn't hurt...). I'm sorry for rearing my digital head only for this post. I've been reading your past ones (creeper much) and couldn't think of much to say, except what an incredible person you are.

I'll probably end up sending you 50-page letters for the rest of our lives, so beware.

(Are you currently in Boston? /Bostonian creeper)

That would be lovely! I have a fantastic collection by Cornelius Eddy that I can send your way. PM me your addy when you get a chance! I'll make locked post with my new addy soonish. :)

YAY! I would be thrilled to send you a book. Is there a particular genre or subject you'd like or should i just choose a Glim book? Man, my love of epistolary fic is becoming legendary, which is alright for me! Anyway, PM or email me your addy when you get a chance; i'll post my new one in soonish. :)

I do too, dearheart. One day, somewhere our paths will intersect. <3

Awesome - I'll send it now :D.

I'd love a book, but even if not, I definitely want to send you a card/letter. :) (just give me your new? address, please?)

If you have a novel or a poetry book...

Okay! I'll see what I can find. And, I'm glad you've commented on this as I'd like some of my books to find good homes. Also, I've been a terrible commenter of late as well but I've been reading as well. And, I really admire the work and journey you're taking and have been thinking about you a lot.

Yay! I love writing and receiving letters. ;)

(Still in FL, unfortunately. Leaving here on July 12 and driving up the east coast, with several stops. Will be in Boston July 25-August 1)

Yay! I'll look for something that will suit you. Please PM me your addy when you get a chance. I'll make a post with my addy soonish. :)

Got it! I'll probably get to the post office early next week. :)

Aw. I do hope we'll continue to keep in contact after this. :)

It's a horrible habit that I do with everybody regardless of whether they're the letter-writing type or not, so I'm always glad to find someone who would appreciate it!

(I leave for TX on July 30th, but I'll be in Boston until then.)

Much as I would love a book, especially one of yours, one suspects you may have to settle for a letter or similar from me without giving me a book. Sorry - I simply don't have the space for more books, Darling.

Well, you do have at least one book from me, darling. I mean, it wasn't mine first but I do tend to think it's pretty special regardless. And, I'm pretty sure that getting letters or summat isn't settling, silly. Maybe, I'll even start sending out completely random, silly cards again! <3

eta: i understand the need to clear out books and I'm letting go of several books from dear friends but please don't tell me if you've given away that book! :/

Edited 2011-06-10 17:19 (UTC)

i'm up for a children's book (if i don't already have it, though most of my books went away when i moved to/from nz) ♥

That book? Darling, you've given me two or even three books. I have them all. :-)

Hmm, i reckon I have given you a couple books at least. However, by that book I meant the Nara book, The Lonesome Puppy. I'm glad you still have those books. :)

I have a great book for you, one I'm sure you don't have! Yay!!

Ahhhh I just went through a similar process with my books! It is such a difficult decision when you're attached to books partly because of their content and partly because of whatever time/relationship in your life they represent in a way.

Well, I know we're brand new lj friends but I'd LOVE to do this exchange. Writing postcards is one of my favourite things, and receiving books another. I'd be most interested in giving a poetry book a home since that is my largest and most precious and frequently-read collection, but I'd be down with anything really. I like surprises.

So do I! :)

Hmm, I don't know if I'd consider it a horrible habit. In fact, I think letter writing is a lost art.

(oh, we should try and figure something out. Mish and i drive in from NYC on Monday, the 25th. Obvs, we have a lot to do but I'm hoping to see tonnes of people)

It really is! A good mate and I were discussing it today. Of course there's love for books and what you might have experience whilst reading it. But then there's that representational memory and, honestly, both are pretty key for me.

Anyway, I'd love to send you a book of poetry! I'm going to try to get to the post office early-ish next week but we'll see how that goes. Please PM me your addy when you get a chance. I'll make a post with my new contact info soonish.

Sometimes I find myself wondering why we even use anything in print anymore - letters, books, photos...it makes me feel like a bit of a Luddite to feel nostalgic for when nothing was really digital. But I suppose a huge part of that is just a general nostalgia.

I would definitely love to see you guys! I don't know how many people you're already seeing in the Boston area - tbh, I'm around 30 min outside of Boston - but I can't wait to work something out :)

Yes, I know exactly what you mean, both about wondering why and feeling nostalgic. But, then I reckon we tie up memories and meaning into everything so then objects such as books and letters, etc hold as much meaning as the person/experience we're remembering.

That would be great! We'll be busy as I have to do some stuff with my house, get into my storage and, yes, see plenty of people. But, I'd love to hang out. Where are you exactly? I'll be at my house in Roslindale for the most part.

I'm actually coming from up north of Boston - so it's a while away from your place. I'll shoot you a PM right now.

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