Yes, I admit it. I’m a true, incurable book abuser (施虐人). I like to fold dog ears. I like to break my books open so that their backs crack.
I had a friend, who loved rubbing all the pages. I have another friend who is the exact opposite. She needs to keep her books completely new. I understand her. But once I get to know the book, I can’t help but show it some tough love. Because, believe me, although it sounds like I’m an abuser without a heart, that’s what it’s all about. Not hidden aggressions, or a lack of respect; not at all. Let me explain.
I have one book by my favourite author Diana Gabaldon that looks like rubbish. It’s completely wrinkled up from rain, and on its way to falling apart. I brought it like that to have her sign it. I hope she’s realised what an honour it is to her as a writer. It means, basically, that I’ve read the book to bits. I wouldn’t bother to mistreat books that don’t mean anything to me. Only the best books get read well, carried everywhere, worth intense reading where I’m so caught up with words that I will spill coffee over it.
For my further defense, I would like to call in a witness. I have a cook book. Like almost all my other cook books, it’s worn, and there are dirty marks of food in it. The book is called Tex-Mex-Food, Music and the Joy of Life from Texas. Just as the title suggests, this is more than a cook book.
These are the words on the very first page:
Tex-Mex hasn’t been trendy for over 30 years. Considering it’s anything but cheap in calories, it probably never will be, either. Tacos(墨西哥卷) are instead all about such an untrendy things as a love for life. It’s something you enjoy while spending time with your loved ones ...
We hope, therefore, that this cook book will soon be as dirty as a really old and used cook book should be.
Oh, how true! How wonderfully put! And it’s the same thing for books: whether you’re a book preserver or a book abuser, the approach is based on love and a joy for life. Because I believe all who are passionate about books, are passionate people.
46. According to the passage, the writer often does the following to his book except _________.
A.have it dog-eared |
B.carry it everywhere |
C.keep it tidy |
D.have dirty marks in it |
47. Why does the writer treat his favourite books badly?
A.To cover up his disrespect for its author. |
B.To conceal his aggressions to things around. |
C.To express his objection to the book preserver. |
D.To show his strong affection for the book. |
48. The book
Tex-Mex-Food, Music and the Joy of Life from Texas is mentioned by the writer to show that _________.
A.it is really common to have dirty marks in the cook book |
B.Tex-Mex is not popular mainly because it’s low in calories |
C.the writer is not alone with the view that books should be abused |
D.one must try some food like Tex-Mex to experience the love for life |
49. What’s the main idea of the passage?
A.The defense of one who treats books badly. |
B.The reasons why a certain book is preferred. |
C.The book lovers’ different habits of reading. |
D.The different ways to treat different books. |