the other night, I impulsively bought a copy of william gibson's burning chrome on thriftbooks because I want to read it but my local library doesn't have a copy. usually I'm fine just downloading a PDF of these types of things, but I do find it a lot easier to digest things when reading on paper. I need something to occupy my giant ass cargo pockets other than just my lighter so I keep accumulating paperbacks. and it's fun to read in the woods when I go for walks.
right after buying it, I started thinking about where to put it on my bookshelf because I am utterly full on space. ended up taking some time to sort through, as I haven't actually gone through my shelf since I was maybe 12 years old? long enough that there's still middle-grade fantasy in there, buried behind books on the cold war, philosophy, 20th century sci-fi, and whatever else I find when I go to a used bookstore with my mom. there's obviously nothing wrong with an adult having that, there's a lot of worth in there, but I'd rather some kid who frequents thrift stores is able to get exposed to them instead of just collecting dust. and my cheap particle board shelf is completely buckling under the weight. should probably go through my DVDs and music and whatever else while I'm at it, but that's a bit much. when I get my own place I'll have proper shelving for all of this instead of just stacks upon stacks crammed into a single unit.
recent acquisitions from the used bookstores include a hardbound illustrated copy of jules verne's a journey to the center of the earth, featuring these beautiful woodcuts by lars hokanson. I got it at the same time as a navy electronics textbook from 1953. I don't comprehend all that much of that one, but this copy had lots of notes and doodles in the margins that I felt really drawn towards. this is the exact reason I have so much crap on my shelf lol.
that's one of those woodcuts I mentioned.
while sorting through stuff I ended up finding a fake rubber ear...? it was tucked between layers right next to my record collection. experts are calling this a real blue velvet moment. I ended up putting it back roughly where I found it to inevitably scare me again when I forget it exists in 6 months.
- currently listening: Chemlab - Latex
- currently watching: planning on rewatching 2001: A Space Odyssey with a pal tonight. hugely exciting!
- currently reading: The Tragedie of Macbeth. basic as hell but by far my favorite shakespeare (king lear is pretty close though)