I moved halfway across the country (big country, Canada) about ten years ago with one suitcase and my guitar. In order to do this I had to give away five shelves (bookcases, not individual) of books, including my entire Stephen King collection. And a lot of Shakespeare. (My first year of university as an English major I bought no books for school. I had them all.) I moved here feeling very unencumbered. And pretty poor. There are, however, at least eight free bookshelves in my neighbourhood. You can see where that’s going can’t you? I once again have more books than furniture, or food. I have two bookshelves of books that I haven’t read yet. I will deliberately cross the street when I see a free bookstand. Does this work? No. I have to look. They are my own personal brand of crack.
