I received the joyful news that an ILL book I’d ordered so long ago that I almost forgot about it had finally arrived. It was Kate’s recommendation: The Sacrifice, by Adele Wiseman. It came from the library of Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI — the farthest distance yet that I’ve had an ILL book come from.
So when I went to the circulation desk to get it, the librarian pointed out that the volume had been marked “Handle with Care” by the lending library. Nervously, I took the book. It didn’t seem to be in terrible condition. It was a little loose where the front cover met the spine, but it wasn’t falling apart or anything. I could see that this book had been around for a while, though. The pages were yellow and soft, and there was an old-fashioned date-stamp card inside. My due date: July 26, 2006 (“ILL” handwritten next to the stamp). The last due date before mine: March 8, 1980. And prior to that: May 2, 1978.
As I checked out our other books, I thought, “Do I really need the extra stress of a book marked ‘handle with care’? Kate’s endorsement of Wiseman was so persuasive! But how do I handle it ‘with care’? Normally, I am pretty careful with books, aren’t I? I don’t ever write in them, I don’t leave them open, face-down, to mark my place, I don’t — ” Oooooh! Mark my place! I am embarrassed to confess: I fold over my corners.
And then the light bulb flashed on over my head! Stefanie’s post about bookmarks! Stefanie had the marvelous — marvelous! — idea of choosing bookmarks whose designs complement the book they’re marking. If I could just get an appropriate bookmark to use with The Sacrifice I’d really feel like I was handling it with care. Except that I don’t have any bookmarks, ‘cuz I fold over my corners. And then, light bulb number two: I remembered that the library gives out bookmarks! For free! Yeah, I’ll ask the librarian for a bookmark!
All this passed through my mind in a flash while I gathered up the Byron Barton and John Burningham books, the Baby Einstein video, the Boxcar Children volume nine million and twelve for Lena, while I called out “Daniel! Wait! Come back!” because he loves to press the automatic door opener button, while I stashed away my library card, while I gingerly picked up the Wiseman volume. It wasn’t exactly the most opportune time for me to pore over a box of bookmarks. However, it was clear from my cursory glance at The Sacrifice that nothing but the most beautiful, classic, timeless bookmark could go between its pages. I just had to trust her to pick out the right one.
Click here to see what she gave me.
15 Comments
Hilarious!
That’s very funny! Now I feel as if I should make good on my plan to reread Wiseman this summer and read along with you. It’s odd, this compulsion my litblog interaction is generating in me to be sociable about the very solitary activity of reading!
Books are meant to look used and weather beaten! I can’t do the ‘handle with care’ thing…
So funny, Jules! I’m quite sure Henry has intentionally picked that bookmark out at the library. There’s got to be a good game in there somewhere – you know, matching bookmarks with books in different ways.
Nice!!! Actually, I think that goes better with the book your husband was reading the other day.
Well, I’ll have to send you a care package of Bookmarks!
That is too funny! A Lamborgini is a classic in a way, just not the kind of classic you had in mind I’m sure :)
AAAAAAAAAAAAAck! I can’t finish reading this post. Chocolate won’t cure my cringing. I’m having a visceral reaction to you, the book molester. You F O L D the corners??? I am astounded, aghast, appalled,and not trying to be alliterative. Good thing I like you…
My Lord, what a lovely bookmark. I don’t think I have any books worthy of an art piece like that. I assume you’ll have it framed in solid gold when you’re done? I know I would!
Also: that book has been un-checked-out for almost as long as I have been alive. Yikes.
Ha ha! A perfect match. You will want to use it just because it is such an odd combination.
(In a very small voice: I fold corners too.)
I thought it was going to be the four hard-boiled egg slices with r-e-a-d written on them in ketchup. Love the Lambourghini!
You fold over corners? Not of library books?
Very nice! I like her taste!
I want a bookmark like that too! So classic, so refined, so evocative of the quiet, solitary act of reading.
Ha ha, I love all your comments! And I’m REALLY glad to learn I’m not the only one who, um, folds. Used to fold, I mean.
Kate, I wish you would read along! I know what you mean about that compulsion. It’s really something, isn’t it.
Julie, A copy of “The Sacrifice” was waiting for me on the hold shelf last night, so I can read along. My copy had no scary “handle with care” labels on it, though I note that the cover is attached with scotch tape. It’s rather distressing to think of Wiseman’s legacy disintegrating like that. I may have to acquire some sturdy copies of my own, if I can track them down, and do my bit for book preservation!