Southern Speak featuring Lilliana Rose

A Romance with Books

by Lilliana Rose

My romance with books is about to end…

Gasp!

Let me explain.

Moving homes is one of the most stressful things we can do in our lives. And once again I've moved house (I'm hoping that I don't have to do this ever again but of course I probably will). My books have survived three different moves in recent years, some of them now have bent or torn covers (I'm internally crying). I'm one of those book owners who wont even dog ear a page (who would do that?), let alone mark the book with pen or highlighter (off with your head!).

Settling into my new home, I've finally been able to start unpacking boxes upon boxes of books that had been in storage for the last 18 months. It's like getting reacquainted with long lost friends. I'm remembering the worlds that the stories took me too, and revelling in emotions evoked from the journey the books took me on.

What has changed for me during this particular move is that I should have about another 5 or more boxes of books, but I haven't because I've been purchasing ebooks. The main reason I've done this (which I'm reminded as I nearly break my back moving another box of books) is because of the lack of space. My bookcase is over flowing with wonderful words and information that I love to dwell in. But I need room to live in my home as well!

There are also other reasons. My books have collected a lot of dust over the years, and I've got a packet of tissues nearby and have dosed up on anti-histamines (unpacking books can be dangerous to your health). And with the thought of moving again I'm tempted to give my books to the Salvos and let them have a new owner. (I don't want to keep them in storage)

What is wrong with me?!

I can't believe that I would ever think this. I must be sick. Don't worry I haven't departed with my book-friends, but some of them have been marked to go to new homes, which I am saddened by, but times have changed. I already have a lot of 'stuff' to take with my when I move and I just want to lessen the material wealth that I've gathered over my lifetime. I love my books, but the reality is that I'll never read most of them again, because there isn't enough hours left in my life time, plus there are new books to get to know and to have an affair with.

At the same time I'm torn. My heart is broken from this unexpected break up, which is made worse when I look at my bookcase, and the memories flow from the stories it holds, because there are also other memories evoked in me. Presents from sisters, parents, friends. There are my books from childhood (I'm keeping these) and there are books that have helped me when studying or show a journey of whatever theme I was obsessed in researching at a particular time in my life. I'm not sure I want to part with these friends. They are still gems to be held, and I like to glance my eyes over their wonderful features, check out their spines, smell their musky scent – something that I can't be done with ebooks.

However, this is where I find an unexpected advantage of having an ebook. While I can't view them on a bookshelf as I wander past cleaning the floor, or looking for one that I haven't read (so many of these!) by simply standing and staring at the shelf because ebooks are tucked away. But what's become a necessity for me is that ebooks only take up electronic space, at which I have so much more of compared to the physical space. Plus they don't take up heaps of box space, or near break my back when moving, or give me hay fever.

With sales of ebooks slowing, and print sales holding their own in the market, I've stepped across the line, gone past the point of no return, and electronic books are my preferred option when buying a book.

I will still have romances with books, it's just to a slightly different tune; the one of cyber space.

What have you done with your loved books? Have you kept them? Will you always keep them?

Fantastic article Lilliana. My bookshelves are overflowing too.
Now you can learn more about Lilliana's book. Love the cover
Change of Heart
by Lilliana Rose

click here to buy at Rogue Phoenix Press

click here to buy at Amazon

click here to buy at Barnes and Noble

Blurb
Vickie wants spice in her life, but her husband George is more interested in his work as a doctor. As a Victorian lady she is struggling to find her place in the world. An outbreak of a mysterious illness threatens the ordered world of Vickie and George. George becomes ill, and Vickie is left to care for him, keep him safe, as well as trying to work out the cause of the mysterious illness. Vickie must take charge in her world in order to survive.

Author Bio 
Lilliana is a creative writer and poet. She enjoys pulling levers and turning cogs in steampunks worlds and dreams of travelling around the world in an airship wearing funky modern Victorian clothing. With over 40 poems published her poetry and stories are spreading wings, extending out to various magazines and journals around the world. ‘Change of Heart’ is her latest publication in the steampunk