Book Fort

Writer's Cramp: unreliable narrator

#Musings

My book fort is only big enough for me. I have more books, actually, but I choose to keep them where I can read them, and if they're not in the book fort with me, I'm afraid I'll forget them. So many came before my book fort, loans from friends and the wondrous library, but how will I be certain that they are cemented in my mind? Already titles are fading in place for 'well, I read this book about a prince and a dragon...' and that is harder to find the other readers and compare notes.

I only find other readers through my phone. They recommend books to me. Sometimes books I can only find at the library. Don't get me wrong, I do love the library, but one can simply be lost in the amount of information at the library. And I have a very worried case of giving away books and expecting them back. Very few borrowers have ever handed a book back to me, even though they know how important books are in my world.

If you want to borrow one of my books, you can read it here, in my book fort, with me watching. That's one reason I made my book fort only big enough for me - nobody's going to read with me here, and I don't let them in when I'm away.

It's a lonely life when all I have are my books. I cannot trust anyone to bring them back to me. They also lose them from the library, I know because I keep track of that. What's a library to do when a book cannot just be replaced? What would I do with my out of print books that require special handling?

I'm insured against fire, but the books are irreplaceable. I dare not leave them for fear something will happen to them. I can't let anyone in, because they might bring in dust or moisture or even food. How do those libraries even manage the dirty fingers of the children they welcome like vermin?

Batten down the hatches, the children are coming. It's my mantra every day after school releases. Living in a book fort with a storm shelter created to protect it can be difficult. All the children want inside as if I am a library or a playplace or other plague-ridden structure.

I created a new sign for my door. You're not welcome. I do not loan books. Keep your germy hands to yourself and find another place.

I had to. It's the only way to keep the books safe.