I’m Such An Ageist
January 6th, 2012 § 7 Comments
Ageism “is a set of beliefs, attitudes, norms, and values used to justify age based prejudice, discrimination, and subordination. This may be casual or systematic.” Thanks, Wikipedia.
I do that with my books. I totally discriminate them based on their looks. A dog ear here, a wrinkle there, yellowed pages, creased spine. Any sign of decrepitude and off to the ‘old books home’ otherwise known as the little corner of my library reserved for the OAPs. Sometimes I give them away. However, they will not be shoved off to the side or to some new owner until there is a newer, better edition. I’ve done these before with my Orwell books and I’ve done it recently with two more books.
The first one is William Shirer’s magnum opus The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich:
The edition on the left has been thumbed through so many times the covers are falling off. By the way, if you need to read just one book about the Nazis let it be this one. Shirer was there when the idiots rose to power, he was there when war broke out and he was there again after they surrendered. After the war he was given access to practically all of the Nazi records and the result was this magnificent book.
The other book I upgraded was Joseph Heller’s Catch-22:
Catch-22 isn’t real. For years I thought it was but no, Heller invented it for this book. There is no such term in bureaucracy called Catch-22 but it has entered the lexicon because of this book. Not many people today ‘get’ Heller’s novel. It is the blackest of black comedies and pushes the absurdity levels so high it is no longer considered absurd. I first read it more than twenty years ago when I was all teenager-y and rebellious. I remember loving it but I don’t remember what it was about other than the flight bomber Yossarian finding out that anyone who wants to get out of combat duty isn’t crazy. Fearing for one’s own safety in combat is a sign of a rational mind. A soldier who is declared crazy is excused from combat duty. Therefore Yossarian was crazy if he wanted to fly more missions and sane if he didn’t but if he was sane then he would have to fly more missions but if he flew then he’s crazy so he can ask for an exemption but if he asks then that proves he is sane which means he must fly more missions. Loop de loop, no end in sight. That’s Catch-22. It’s a wonderful absurd novel and must not be read by those who have no sense of humour or has a stick up their behind.
Anyway, the two new editions will take over the places on the shelves vacated by the older ones because I’m an ageist with my books. That’s just how I roll.
I still have two different copies Harry Potter and the Sorceror’s Stone – one with Dumbledore on the back cover, and the other with Quirrell – bought the latter to replace the former, only to realise I can’t get rid of either. Sigh.
I would usually put those books up on Bookmooch or Bookcrossing.
I would just get the one with correct title (Philosopher’s Stone)
I made sure to buy the one with the proper title..
that means you’re giving away your old catch-22?
sell it to me. please?
Better yet, I’ll just give it you for free. Use the ‘Contact Form’ on the left of the screen there and type the address I can send the book to.
Done. thanks in advance.
Buku selamat sampai. Terima kasih.