Seen in a Bookstore 6

The last time I was in Burlington and of course visiting A Different Drummer Bookstore, the owner of said store, Mr. Richard Bachman, heard me nattering to my mother about the fact that all I wanted for Christmas was books, dammit, and nothing else. Without missing a beat, Mr. Bachman gave me this piece of paper that had many lines on it, as well as the name and address of said bookstore at the bottom. At the top was the delightful illustration you see before you. Apparently he hands out these lovely book wishlists every Christmas. What a great idea.

But seriously. I don't want candles. I don't want sweaters. I don't even want chocolate. What I'd really like is a book. And then another, and another, and another....heh.

So how 'bout you? Are books all you want for Christmas? (Aside from World Peace, of course).

Comments

[Kate S.]

I don't receive many books as gifts. My family and friends know that I have poor impulse control when it comes to book buying. They figure any book that I want I've probably already bought for myself. They rarely chance it, and I know I have only myself to blame... Of course, I still get the great joy of haunting the bookstores through the holiday season picking out exactly the right book for each person on my list (and perhaps picking up the odd one for me while I'm at it!).

[Cleo]

I'm so lucky-I FINALLY, after 40 some odd years, convinced everyone that really, truly, books were ALL I wanted for Christmas-and my bday which is only 3 weeks after. I keep a huge Amazon list going at all times..Last year between the two days I got 50 new books!!! I'm hoping for a repeat this year-I'm a little worried though since my husband keeps "ooo"ing over jewelry commercials-but he's been threatened with a VERY long winter with a sad wife if he succumbs to media temptation! Good luck!

[colleen]

I am always asking for books and what I hear in response is, "we know you will buy those for yourself - what do you really want?"

Well - if I'm going to buy them for myself then doesn't it mean those are what I really want??? It is so frustrating! This year because everyone knows I review books as well they keep saying that I will get books for free so why buy them - completely forgetting that I have to review what I get and also, that no one is looking for me to review half the books I've been lusting after for years (since some of them have been out more than five years the review phase is kind of over!)

Why can't Christmas be about what you want, and not about what everyone thinks you want?!

[Isabella]

The only thing I want other than books is TIME to read said books and the understanding that I will snub other people's company to enjoy the gifts they have given me. Maybe that's why I don't get nearly as many books as I'd like. My mother will get me a fancy blouse I will have no occasion to wear. Again.

[Just Mohit]

Hi, do you think you could put up a book wishlist? Would help all of us book lovers improve upon (expand?) ours!!

[Monica]

Hmmmmm. Yes, I think all I would want for Christmas would be books, any other year but this one. This year I would love to have hmm... around $20.000, so I could fly all my family and get to spend the Holidays, ONCE with all of them, instead of missing family B because I went to see family A...Oh! The joy and the sorrows of the multi-continental families.

[iliana]

No kidding! All I want is books or better yet - gift cards to bookstores!

[sneuper]

Seriously, is there any other relevant gift than a book? But why is it that so few people understand? I have been answering this question for about 30 years now (for my birthday, christmas, graduation, wedding, whatever) the same way and STILL people dare to ask me: wouldn't you like something else this year? Why do they ask that? I still don't have all the books I need to have, so there can only be one gift for me: books, books and more books.