Do Books Have Souls?

[AbielleRose]

I personally think its the other way around, at least for me anyways. When I look at the books on my shelf, in particular my older volumes, I see something that holds a little piece of those who have read it. After I finish a book, it seems to take a little part of me with it instead of the other way around. I can't think of the right word I want to use to better describe it, but my favorite book- a copy of Elizabeth Barrett Browning's Complete works printed in 1886- is sort of like a time capsule for me. I open the cover and read an inscription written in 1886 by Mrs. A. B. Clark as she gave this book to Mrs. C. A. Merrill. I've often pondered those two women, wondering their relationship, (were they friends, were they family?) and why did Mrs. Merrill feel compelled to give this particular volume to Mrs. Clark? Did she give it to her just because, or was there a special occasion such as a birthday or Christmas involved? The book was printed in New York so they were probably Americans, but where did they live?

 

Books seem to capture their readers and carry a little piece of their souls throughout their life on this earth, or at least that is what I think. Maybe all the reader's souls captured in those pages are what make up the book's essence and gives it that feeling of being more than just paper and ink. Instead of this book being a part of my life and my possession, I get to be a little part of it's life. If we all treat our books as they ought to be treated than they can live on for generations, touching and capturing soul after soul.

Edited March 14, 2010 by CaliLily

[Chrissy]

You've turned my head with that CaliLily.

 

Maybe it's a matter of a book proffering something to it's page turner, and the text extracting something from the reader in return, an exchange that fundamentally affects both. I like the thought of that.

[AbielleRose]

It really could be, Chrissy. Maybe its the romantic in me, I don't know, but I like to think that once books leave my hands they go on to touch someone else's life as they did mine. Its part of why I usually give books as gifts to people or frequently give my favorite volumes away. I send them out into the world and hope that they are able to continue on in their journey by captivating someone else as they did me and that that person may, someday send it along on another journey to find a new soul. By the time the book's life ends, it has passed through so many different hands and lead so many different lives that its essence is not one of is own creation but rather one made by the lives its touched. Put two of the same volumes on the table, one that has just been purchaced from the store, and one that has been read many times over. Which has more character, which feels more alive?

[Ooshie]

Much though I love my books, to me they are inanimate objects, and I can't think of them as having souls in any way.

[nursenblack]

I never thought about it before. Maybe not an actual soul, but alive in someway. Books do come from live trees. I've always felt since I was young that the walls of a home absorb emotions. so why not a book?

Edited March 17, 2010 by nursenblack

[arewenearlythere]

Interesting theory CaliLily. So each book is individual vessels in which we are able to pass our feelings, emotions, relationships on and on. Much like family heirlooms...never thought of it this way.