When I started this blog, I didn't give too much thought to the title - "Diary of a Bibliophile" seemed to do a reasonable job in describing the broad intent behind the effort. I have always assumed that 'bibliophile' meant 'book-lover', going purely by the Latin roots of the two halves of the word.
Unfortunately, to my consternation, I have just discovered that according to the Wikipedia entry, a Bibliophile is a lover of books, "but especially for qualities of format". "Also", the article continues, "a bibliophile may be a book collector." Essentially, the bibliophile values form over content - first editions, unusual bindings and autographs are what a bibliophile lives and dies for.
Oops.
This is not what I meant at all. I love books for their content, and my most treasured books are cheap paperback editions. The bindings, where they exist at all, are more likely to be cardboard than leather. All autographs adorning the title-pages are those of previous owners.
However, I am going to stick with the current title, for want of a satisfactory alternative word that conveys what I mean: a word that signifies "Lover of Reading". I am amazed to find out that despite the plethora of '-mania', '-phrenia' and '-philia' suffixed words, there isn't one to describe my, um, condition. Surely I can't be unique?
Oh, and I am considering "bookworm", but it makes me feel all furry and multi-legged.
Perhaps what I wish to convey in this blog about my love of books can't be reduced to one word. Albert Goldbarth needed 172 lines, but in my opinion, he came closest in a poem called "Library".
Unfortunately, to my consternation, I have just discovered that according to the Wikipedia entry, a Bibliophile is a lover of books, "but especially for qualities of format". "Also", the article continues, "a bibliophile may be a book collector." Essentially, the bibliophile values form over content - first editions, unusual bindings and autographs are what a bibliophile lives and dies for.
Oops.
This is not what I meant at all. I love books for their content, and my most treasured books are cheap paperback editions. The bindings, where they exist at all, are more likely to be cardboard than leather. All autographs adorning the title-pages are those of previous owners.
However, I am going to stick with the current title, for want of a satisfactory alternative word that conveys what I mean: a word that signifies "Lover of Reading". I am amazed to find out that despite the plethora of '-mania', '-phrenia' and '-philia' suffixed words, there isn't one to describe my, um, condition. Surely I can't be unique?
Oh, and I am considering "bookworm", but it makes me feel all furry and multi-legged.
Perhaps what I wish to convey in this blog about my love of books can't be reduced to one word. Albert Goldbarth needed 172 lines, but in my opinion, he came closest in a poem called "Library".
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