Do You Putter Around Your Library?

Some people like to putter out in the garage, others the house, and still others outside. When I have a day off, sometimes I like to putter around my library. At times, I am not in the mood to read one book or focus on one particular subject. I look at my approximately 3000 volume library and wander through its shelves. I find a book I haven't yet read. Yes, I have books in my library I have not read. If you have read all the books in your library, it's not big enough. Anyway, I pull that not yet read book on Celtic history off the shelf and poke through it. I read portions that are interesting, spending a few minutes in the distant past.

After some moments, I return that book to its place and continue to browse. I see a book I read a few years ago on Christology. I take that book and flip through its pages curious to see the notes I made when I read it the first time. I jot down some of those comments in a small notebook thinking to myself that they make good seeds for a future blog post.

I then move on and find a volume that was a required text for Western Civ. class in college. It's ragged because it's been used over the years to get a refresher here and there on a particular period of history. When one is writing on a specific subject, a helpful reminder of the basics, the 35,000 foot fly-over, is always a good thing. Another well-worn book on my shelf, Aladair McIntyre's book, After Virtue, catches my eye. It's been used much because it has been so influential on my thinking over the years. I take that familiar friend, and this time I sit down in one of my reading chairs for a few minutes of reminiscing and pondering its insights again.

Soon after, I see off in the distance my books on what I call "classic literature," I grab my volume of the writings of Edgar Allan Poe (Yes, I love Poe. Don't judge me.) and revel again in one of his short stories. It's definite change of pace from philosophy, but not entirely unrelated.

Yes, I enjoy puttering around my library. With all the reading I must do for sermon preparation, and Bible studies, and writing (all of which I enjoy), I don't get to putter around my library too often; but when I do, it is a great joy. It's my way of goofing off without really doing so.

Puttering is pure pleasure.