Garrison Keillor
This one seemed apt given the time of year... a time of giving and receiving - and one can only hope that amongst any gifts received are books!
Re-reading is one of the most wonderful things about books. They really can be the gift that keeps giving. Sometimes I re-read books when I am feeling low or sad or weary or ill; I have a stash of books that I return to in these times. I know what the plot is, I know what happens and I find great solace in knowing they will be gentle companions as I deal with what I deal with.
On the other hand re-reading can also bring new thoughts and awarenesses into stark relief. The book you remembered reading is suddenly cast afresh and anew as you bring to it your own older eyes or wiser mind.
I wrote this note in a book this morning: "I am reading this differently this time". And I was taking notes of all sorts of different things that apply to my art life now; which didn't interest me or I didn't understand how they might interact with my art world back then. Now it feels like there are fresh insights; yet they were always there waiting to be discovered and understood.
There are some books I keep with me because I enjoy them and they feel liked friends; there are some I know I have not really been ready for and maybe I will be at some point; and there are others that I know offer me things and probably will offer me new things when I return to them.
Books are treasures.
There are a couple of book-looking gifts in this little lot... smile.
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