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Welcome at the blog of Dini Commandeur. I've written quite a lot of columns for various magazines. I also write short stories every now and then. These columns and stories are available for everybody at this blog. I'll release new columns and stories periodically.

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« Comfort from Above | Home | An afternoon in the t… »

Books, books, books

Sunday 04 September 2011 Almost two years ago I wrote a piece on this site about Den Helder, our visit to the Juttersmarkt (Beach Combers Market) and the book fair there, where we bought some magnificent books. It had made my day! Purchasing books is a type of addiction and my inventory of books has increased quite a bit since then despite my resolution not to buy any more. But you try and pass a bookstore without going inside or shuffle along a market with lots of bookstands without buying anything. Now, during summer when the flea markets have started again, the best issues can be found once more – some brand new and still in plastic wrap. If you’re smart, you don’t search for anything in particular, because you do need substantial resolve to withstand the lure of some of these books. The flesh is weak when it comes to books, so most of the time I happily return home with a new acquisition. If not for myself then for someone else. Yes, I do have a serious book-purchase-addiction, but I am a picky buyer: I don’t just buy anything. Every book is scrutinized and thoroughly leafed through. Examining books is educational, too. Some time ago, for example, I saw a book about HSP (Highly Sensitive Person) dealing with high sensitivity in certain people. I looked through the book, didn’t buy it, but afterwards I searched the Internet about HSP. For those not familiar with the condition: In people with HSP the connection between the nervous system and the brain is different than that in most other people. The processing of information is more sensitive and expansive, which is why highly sensitive people often do not tolerate loud sounds and bright lights very well, but they also do not tolerate injustice and stressful situations. They can easily become upset and, therefore, HSP’s usually do not do well in large crowds either. Almost no one likes large groups of people, of course, but I was somewhere recently where there was a big crowd and yet it was quiet. It was a book fair where, according to the organizers, one million books were displayed on long tables. Along those tables many people stood or shuffled along and everyone was focused on the books; leafing through, reading, looking. Here and there people softly consulted one another. There was no noise, no fuss, and that with so many people present! It was surprisingly quiet. Even more amazing was the number of books on display and their extraordinary titles. I was fascinated. Unfortunately, we could not stay long due to a prior commitment, but I really didn’t want to leave because there was still so much left to see. I wanted to stay amongst those books, forever and ever… I don’t need to go on vacation to far away places, white sandy beaches, mountains and forests, just leave me with my books, books, books…. So we returned the next day to once again shuffle along the tables, look around in amazement, and pick up books to examine. It was busier now since the weekend had begun. There were children running back and forth, as children always do when given the chance, but it wasn’t annoying. When I looked up now and then I saw the same scene as the day before: Many books and lots of people. Sometimes with a far-away look in their eyes, as if they were elsewhere, transported by the fantasy in a book. A good writer ensures that people find themselves in distant places while they are, in fact, at home. Or, as Albert Einstein once said: “Logic brings you from A to B, but imagination brings you everywhere.” For quite some time I remained at that book fair without plans to return home anytime soon. Like most people, I pulled a little cart. Business was booming, I could tell from the contents of some other carts, and I was seized by the overwhelming need to buy as well. My cart wasn’t empty anymore either and over and over again I passed the tables to make sure I hadn’t missed anything. It’s a good thing that these type of fairs are held infrequently in our town. When we finally left (we were forced to since the clean-up had already started) we luckily were able to charge the debit card so we arrived home with a lower bank balance but a wealth in beautiful books. Books… who can do without them? Without books no knowledge. Without books no romance or adventure. My next purchase may be a book on HSP, as I do want to know more about hyper sensitivity, even though I already do know that highly sensitive people do not tolerate loud music, bright light, crowds, and stress, and that HSP’s have a rich emotional life, are easily touched by art and moved by beautiful music. They often have a rich imagination, too. Likely, many artists are hyper sensitive. Without HSP there may have been less pieces of art in this world, less breathtaking music, and a lot less beautiful books.

Translation Maria O’Neill
 

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