Are books becoming things of the past?  So much is available on line now, that books, magazines, and newspapers are not as popular as they used to be. There are some who would argue that books take up unnecessary space – that libraries are dusty morgues for obsolete paper and cardboard. Not me. I don’t want to look at a tablet. I want to hold the book, mark the pages, and occasionally spill a spot of tea on a particularly interesting paragraph. I have a whole library upstairs containing  books from my childhood, decorating, philosophy, essays, gardening, mountaineering – you name it – I have the book.  Novels I pass on to friends. Once you have read it, it’s over. The ending isn’t going to change the next time through. Essays I can read over and over. My favorites have frayed pages, and yes, tea stains. They are as comfortable as old shoes. I love browsing the shelves and pulling out a volume to read for the 5th time. There was a woman named Jo Northrop who used to write a column for Country Living magazine back in the 80’s and 90’s. She has long since passed away, but I have a volume of her essays I never tire of. And speaking of magazines – ah, I should just leave this one alone. I can never get rid of a good magazine. Even pinterest doesn’t replace the warm fuzzy I get thumbing through an old Country Living from 1982. One of these days I will clear out the shelves and only keep my very favorites. One of these days.