I’ve written about my dad before and someday, when it’s time to write my memoirs, there will be a lot more. Here’s the 4th of 5 of my favorite things about my dad.
My dad taught me that it was normal to have 1000 books and be reading all the time. I still think it’s normal.
I grew up around books. Books in the bathroom, books in the kitchen, books in the living room – floor to ceiling shelves of books.
Dad and I treat each other’s libraries as our own. We buy each other books, lend each other books, and generally don’t worry too much about returning them on time – if ever. After all, someday all of his books will be mine – unless I die first I guess. 
(If that sounds morbid or insensitive to you, you should know that it doesn’t to either of us, although our wives are not big fans of that conversation.)
There are some books I don’t like – I call these “anti-books” and I wrote about them earlier this year in a post called “Naysaying and the Naysaying Naysayers Who Naysay“.
To answer the question I get every time people see my library: no, I haven’t read every book in my library in its entirety. I have read parts of every one and I’ve read many all the way through.
I think of books as knowledge containers to which I add value by reading, noting, highlighting, underlining, and dog-earing. A book is not a conquest or a to-do item. Some books aren’t worth reading all the way through but have a few excellent chapters.
Dad and I made a pact a couple of years ago to preach each other’s funerals. It didn’t dawn on us until later that day that only one of us will be able to do it.
I do love books, and I mention them often.. like here and here.
Other posts in this series:
1 – The Value of Acting Like a Child
2 – Do-it-yourself-edness Is Next to Godliness
3 – Pick Up Your Things or Have Them Destroyed – Your Choice!
