LISNews: Librarian News

"I'm lost without a book - and lost in one- The steps I take to avoid being without a good read would shame a hardened alcoholic." by Jane Shilling, The Times, August 18, 2008

The steps I take to avoid being left bookless would shame a hardened and devious alcoholic. I always have some sort of little book stashed in my handbag, just in case. And another little book for good measure.

I once spent New Year's Eve scouring Lisbon for something to read and knew that the coming year wasn't going to turn out well when all I could find was Lorna Doone.

Occasionally, being trapped in the company of a book you dislike can bring about a miracle conversion. Ages ago I travelled from Aberdeen to King's Cross with nothing to read but The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, which I had already attempted and discarded with loathing. I tried looking out of the window, but it was winter and the light failed early. In desperation I reopened the book and began again at: “I wish either my father or my mother... had minded what they were about when they begot me...”

Read more about it at: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/jane_shilling/article4552530.ece