A book on Silhouettes in a bookstore that values all aspects of books got me thinking along those lines. For one thing, the book was on one of those stands that resemble open palms, honoured in this display. I do that in my own home, my own library (which, considering there are books in every single room, is the entire house); I put books ‘on view’. And it is more than the content in a book that touches the soul of a bibliophile: the actual book ‘speaks’. In that bookstore I picked up the book on Silhouettes and found I was cradling it in my fingertips; I have watched others do likewise. Opened it with loving care. It wasn’t a new book or I might have raised it to my nose and drew in that fragrance of ‘just off the press’. But somehow old books appeal to me more. They have a patina. Sometimes comments. When I see books all tumbled together at a sale – it hurts.