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Emptying Bookcases & a Sense of Awe

Writer's picture: Jean Shinoda BolenJean Shinoda Bolen

Updated: Oct 9, 2022


When I got ready to move out of my office because I no longer needed it, I emptied my tall bookcases, two of which turned out to mostly contain multiple copies of foreign translations of my books. I usually got copies of each new translation over the past decades and stored them there.


I was touched and in wonder, when for the first time, I opened each one. found my name, usually figured out the title, country, and date.. There were more than eighty. Ten or more foreign editions were at home. I put a sticky note with the book title, city or country where it was published and put each one on the floor.

(Photo by Laura Stallone)

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Nancy willams
Nancy willams
Dec 30, 2024

What a beautifully reflective post! Emptying bookcases offers a profound sense of awe, reminding us of the stories, memories, and journeys encapsulated in each book. It’s a humbling experience that highlights the power of knowledge and the emotional connection we have to the words that shape our lives. Solar Battery Storage System

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Air Filters
Dec 20, 2024

Your reflection on emptying bookcases really captures the bittersweet mix of letting go and rediscovering memories. It’s amazing how books can hold such personal stories beyond their pages! Air Filters

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Guest
Dec 12, 2024

It's truly awe-inspiring how tall bookcases can hold not just books but decades of memories and milestones. Emptying them reveals the incredible journey of your work reaching diverse corners of the world. Discovering your name in over eighty foreign editions must have been deeply moving—a testament to the profound impact your books have had globally.


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