2.21.2009

But the book, it will never close...

I mentioned that my kids have read Harry Potter so many times, they have parts of it memorized. I don't know if these photos count as proof (of the much reading, not of the memorizing), but I offer them as evidence anyhow:

Sad book

Really sad book

This state of affairs comes from publishers using a binding method called "perfect binding", which, as you can see, is less perfect than its name would lead one to believe. Well, to be fair, books that fall apart cannot be blamed completely on the publishers and their binding choices. After all, "a book breaks down when stress exceeds strength", as they say. And that's just one way that books are like people.

Other ways that books are like people:

1. They all have a story to tell.
2. Sometimes the story is boring.
3. Their covers don't always indicate what you'll find inside.
4. They can be captivating, or informative, or boring.
5. Sometimes they smell like stale cigarette smoke, which is very unpleasant.
6. The good ones improve with deeper acquaintance.
7. Some are easier to read than others.

Ways books are not like people:

1. Books with lots of pictures are more interesting than people with lots of pictures.
2. A leather-bound book is cool. A leather-bound person, not so much.
3. When you don't want to hear what they say, books are easier to shut up.
4. If someone wants to introduce you to a person, it's weird to say "I'll wait for the movie."

6 comments:

Shannon said...

i concur. another way books are not like people: books have a definite end. some people you are never sure about because they keep popping up even when you thought you were done with them...
and books don't use up all the hot water.

Janeite42 said...

"some people...keep popping up even when you thought you were done with them". so does the celestine prophecy.

Jared and Megan said...

How did that happen!? I'm pretty sure I only read that particular copy once. I've read my copy at least 7 or 8 times...

Brian & Veronica said...

LOL. you're certainly not a boring book.

Shannon said...

come to think of it, one of the tintin books is like that too. harry potter and tintin again...

Shannon said...

i mean falling apart.
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