If you could fly an airplane to the moon...

February 13, 2005 8:09 AM

Population: 1 Plus 5,000 Books."Rudy's Library is less than 350 square feet. The books are worn, disorganized and eclectic beyond description. It's impossible not to linger."
posted by naomi (10 comments total)

That was a slightly bittersweet and very beautiful story. Thanks. It's amazing what an unselfish love of books can do to, and for, people.
posted by erisfree at 9:18 AM on February 13, 2005

Damn, that guy died with even more second-hand books than me. I'm glad I've still got a couple decades to catch up with him. (Everybody needs a goal in life, right?)
posted by davy at 9:40 AM on February 13, 2005

Love this story. Thanks.
posted by CunningLinguist at 10:55 AM on February 13, 2005

This gives me some hope for humanity. Thanks for the link.
posted by cr_joe at 11:42 AM on February 13, 2005

Nice story. And I've got to figure out something to do with my thousands of books before my wife gets stuck opening a library.
posted by languagehat at 4:11 PM on February 13, 2005

My wife just sells my books.
...
Damn her.
posted by Baby_Balrog at 5:27 PM on February 13, 2005

Wow. Sweet story, thanks!
posted by wfrgms at 6:52 PM on February 13, 2005

I find it amusing that she advertises for a meeting that only she is qualified (as the only citizen) to attend.
posted by Monday at 7:01 PM on February 13, 2005

This reminds me of a good friend of mine in Berkeley. Many books (under 5000, still), 1 woman, and her cat in a 2 bedroom apartment.
posted by vevaphon at 8:05 PM on February 13, 2005

This is a terrific story, naomi, thanks very much. I have at least 5000 books, and was very moved a few years ago when my young son told me he wanted to take care of all of them after I'm gone. One of my favorite libraries in the U.S. is Ernie Pyle's house in Albuquerque, which after his death was turned into the city's first branch library. Periodicals are in the bathroom, non-fiction in the bedroom, etc.
posted by LeLiLo at 9:57 PM on February 13, 2005