English practice 22

Preventing Biblioemergencies

Before I move next week, I will unwillingly return the books that I have checked out from the library. Sadly, I never even opened a couple of them, and the return of¹⁶ them will be painfully abrupt.

I know that I have plenty¹⁸ of other books to read. There are at least ten unread books of my own at home and ten more that I'm expecting in the mail. Still, whenever I return a book, I get that feeling of "what if": What if I run out of books?

Some friends of mine recently coined the phrase biblioemergency to describe just such a situation. A biblioemergency is when an avid reader, such as myself, discovers that she has nothing left to read, which¹⁹ I know that to some people, that's no big deal, but to me, its²⁰ a disaster.

Ever since childhood, I've made it a point to carry at least²¹ one²¹ sometimes two or more, books with me at all times. People ask me why I can't just make do with one book in my bag, or none. But, I always point out, what if I finish them²²? What would I do then?

I think this all comes from a habit developed at an early age, due to my parents'²³ use of books as pacifiers. Whenever my mother took me to a store or to an appointment, she brought along books. As soon as I got fidgety,²⁴ she'd supply me with a new book to keep me entertained, hopefully until she had finished her business. Now as an adult, I nevertheless²⁶ find it nearly impossible to wait patiently unless, of course, I have reading material.

[1] When I've run out of books in the past, finding²⁷ myself reading the backs of cereal boxes or the labels on my clothes. [2] Even though I will have to return my books to the library, I plan to packing²⁸ at least four or five in my carry-on luggage, as I do every time I travel. [3] That, my friend, is an experience I never need to repeat. [4] If that sounds like a hassle, imagine the alternative.