“My Library [is] Dukedom Large Enough”

A new day has dawned. In the past, when I would look at the many unread books on my bookshelf, I would remember the scene from Derrida when the interlocutor asks Derrida whether he has read all the books on his shelves. Derrida’s response is classic: I haven’t read all of them, but the ones I have read I’ve read very well. Eyeing my own plethora of unread books, I would think, “What’s good enough for Derrida is good enough for me.”

I've now decided that I can be better than Derrida!

[Cue theme mu A new day has dawned. In the past, when I would look at the many unread books on my bookshelf, I would remember the scene from Derrida when the interlocutor asks Derrida whether he has read all the books on his shelves. Derrida’s response is classic: I haven’t read all of them, but the ones I have read I’ve read very well. Eyeing my own plethora of unread books, I would think, “What’s good enough for Derrida is good enough for me.”

I've now decided that I can be better than Derrida!

[Cue theme music:] No longer will I be concerned with adding to my collection! No longer will I be enslaved to the establishment! I vow to not buy another book until all the heretofore unread ones have been digested! (Unless the new Audrey Niffenegger book comes out. Or a new Harold Bloom. Or something else that I’m highly anticipating. Or I happen to be walking by Powells, stroll in, glance at the new used arrivals, and see a book that looks interesting.) Ok, who am I kidding? I can’t swear off buying books altogether, but I WILL curb this tendency and devote myself to what I already own.

But wait! There’s more! I pledge to write a comment—possibly an in-depth review but sometimes just a pithy remark—about every book I complete.

That’s not all! You might just get lucky, because if I read a book and don’t like it (and don’t want to put it aside for further review), I will offer it up to a goodreads friend. You may be wondering, “What if more than one person wants that book?” Well, I’ve thought of everything, my friends; when necessary, these contests will be decided by a ferocious game of rock/paper/scissors.

Join me on my quest to read every book I already own! This could have worldwide philosophical, theological, and ecological implications! You either can participate vicariously through me or embark on a quest of your own. My own personal gains will be twofold: I will save money AND I will clear out some rubble (I have a sense that my copy of the portable Henry James is gone). ...more