
She reminded me of my mom who insisted on reading the newspaper first for the same reason. She said a fresh newspaper was the cleanest item in the world. At the time, I wondered if this obsession might shave minutes off of her hour-long handwashing routine.
I considered their arguments. And that new books keep our precious bookstores afloat.
But it’s just too lonely for me to read a fresh book. I love to find a daintily folded corner especially in poetry volume. Or nearly invisible pencil marks -- a check or an underline, a rare exclamation mark. Someone is helping me see magic! Someone traveled this road before me.
I’m not alone.