Make Me A Memory

I am sorting out my bookshelf, this time out of necessity as we are having a new wooden floor laid down soon. I have books on the desk, on the floor, on the sofa, resting against the side of the sideboard. Dipping into a book here and there is always a fun thing to do when I have 10 minutes of spare time, but it does leave a trail of great untidiness.

My dad had an extensive library of a few thousand books. I kept a few from his collection when he passed away. Besides a few investment classics I kept some odd ones i.e. books no one else would be interested in.

Unlike my dad, I have intentionally not put my name on the first page of any of my books. Seeing my dad’s name in his own handwriting made it extremely emotionally difficult (almost impossible) to let go of any of his collection. Perhaps this was his intention all along, but what are we to do with so many volumes?

Two such books I kept are above (a book of poems Quiet Reflections and Tranquil Moments by Patience Strong, published 1979) and below (a humour book Wall Street Laid Bear by Lewis B. Frumkes, published 1970). If you remove the dust jacket from the Wall Street book, which is frayed and torn, the book itself is in good shape. For this reason I usually purchase hardback copies of books I intend to keep.

For any dog-eared book, use a corner rounder to clip off worn-out page edges. Mine is from Muji but you can easily pick one up from any stationary shop.

Before and after clipping off worn off page edges

How to restore a treasured softback/ paperback book:

1. Unfold any bent corners on the cover and pages of the book, flattening it out as best and as gently as you can
2. Using a soft cloth and a touch of water, gently wipe off the dust/ finger marks from the cover of the book
3. It is likely the corners/ pages of the book will be dog-eared, so use a corner rounder to clip off the worn edges, thus giving new life to the corners
4. Cut some plastic book wrapper to the right size and cover the book
5. Read the book
6. Have a good cry or a good laugh depending on the book you have restored
7. Replace book on bookshelf

To restore a treasured hardback book:

1. Remove the dust jacket if there is one, and if damaged consider throwing it away
2. Using a soft cloth and a touch of water, gently wipe off the dust/ finger marks from the cover of the book. The top of the book cover needs attention as dust would have settled on the thick edge
3. It is unlikely the corners/ pages of the book will be dog-eared. If they are, use a corner rounder to clip off the worn edges, thus giving new life to the corners
4. Cut some plastic book wrapper to the right size and cover the book
5. Read the book
6. Have a good cry or a good laugh depending on the book you have restored
7. Replace book on bookshelf.

Having a good cry

Having a good laugh

Wrapped and ready to be replaced on the bookshelf