the Lower Level Library

[@saintonfire77]

I received this comment tonight and I erased it but after thinking about it I thought I would respond. The comment was as follows-"kskslslslsoooao commented: "Paul Therax, Paul Ashtray, Sylvia Path, Susan Sun Tan, Dorothy Lessing... none of these writers actually exist. Please quit alcohol and read what's on them covers, instead of just piling up the books." I read ksksks's comment and was immediately offended by this person's cruelty. I decided to delete the comment and not respond. But then I realized I have nothing to be ashamed about. I have acknowledge over the years in my videos that have a problem in pronouncing certain names, words, foreign languages etc. . . I am amazed I can even pronounce some names or even that I can even read! It is a miracle that I have a love for books when I have met very few people over my life time that even read at all. I personally believe everyone should have thousands of books in their possession. Or at least a library card to check out books. I admit I am not good at pronouncing names etc. . . But I make videos to share my love for books and hope I inspire people to read and also not to let their limitations prevent them from enjoying the riches of literature or being a member of the Booktube community. 1 hour ago

[@vandanarajput1348]

So nice.... I want my library like you.... I hope it's possible... ..great gentleman .

[@superultragreatdeliciouswo6945]

dont mind hateful people like that, they really must have nothing interesting going on in their lives if they interfere with inspiring people that go out of their way to encourage others to read! keep going mister!

[@saintonfire77]

@@superultragreatdeliciouswo6945 Thank you for your kind words. peace

[@lifeofachristiannursingstu9498]

Why do people have to be so cruel towards one another. Even if you have difficulty in pronouncing certain names you always show the cover, that person could just read the name of the auther. Don't mind him.

[@saintonfire77]

@@lifeofachristiannursingstu9498 Thank you for your kind words. peace

[@JimOverbeckgenius]

I had 9000 once + 13000 American comics but I sold off vast amounts & began again. My villa in Italy is brim-full & we've just bought 2 reading-rooms to decant the surplus into. BOOKS ARE IT!

[@dalaimommadrama8929]

....mouth open in awe the entire video.

[@saintonfire77]

I wish my books were on shelves so one can see all these books in the glory. thanks for stopping by. Have a good week! peace

[@alanshadastrokeanddiedinho2897]

Started like a Dr. Seuss writing. Thanks for sharing.

[@saintonfire77]

I have not Dr. Seuss since childhood. I think we read Dr. Seuss books when our three kids were little. peace

[@treebranch2066]

Wow that is quite the collection! Amazing that you know where everything is located. My place is 900 sq feet and I have trouble finding a book I want! Must be such a great feeling surrounded by every topic of books you love. Thanks for sharing.

[@plantssofia2759]

Wow! This is the place where enough to make ourself keep busy with books. Wish I could come there with my best friend, Dev.

[@plantssofia2759]

We could read together, share ideas and discuss about what we read.

[@DeusVult7777]

Nice collection. God bless you.

[@mark18709]

Is not a book problem, is a space problem

[@saintonfire77]

yes I need more space

[@kidddee544]

@@saintonfire77 No you need less books.

[@saintonfire77]

@@kidddee544 I recently donated 19 boxes of used books to our local library used books store. The lower level presently looks not so crowded or stuffed. I also stored books in boxes recently so make more room to walk around our library. Everyone should have a personal library. People spend too much time on their cell phones or watching television. People should read books.

[@KejnTheImmortal]

@@kidddee544 No you need to mind your own business.

[@Nounboy1066]

@@kidddee544 fewer books. More grammar.

[@kingjamesbiblebeliever8387]

You have quite the collection there lol. It’s beautiful, what can I say. I’m studying to be a pastor and I’d love to have a theological library the size of your library one day. God bless you brother, keep reading.

[@saintonfire77]

Where are you studying to be a gospel minster at/seminary? I love the King James Bible. Yes the Lord has blessed us richly with a solid biblical theological library. A rare thing today in the world/American evangelicalism. blessings and keep reading God's Word.

[@kingjamesbiblebeliever8387]

@Jonny Keen at the moment I am self educated, reading many books. But in the future I will most likely be going to Ambassador Baptist College. I already have a library of 150+ books.

[@toddthelibrarian1289]

Wow Jonny! Nice tour! Hoarding opinions and knowledge is one of the greatest gifts bestowed upon us! Those of us with extensive libraries are truly blessed! It looks like paradise to me! Cheers my friend!

[@saintonfire77]

We need a bigger house and more book cases. If we had all these books in book cases it would look like Paradise. peace

[@VisualFeast7557]

Always great to see so many books :) Peace :)

[@saintonfire77]

I love walking into rooms of books that I why love bookstores and libraries. peace

[@justdoit6706]

That's incredible! I hope my collection can be as big as that one day!

[@saintonfire77]

It can be a burden having to move if you have a large library. I hate the thought of moving out of this big house into a small condominium. peace

[@mohamedbou109]

Thank you for showing us this beatiful heaven , enjoy this knowledg treasure

[@hymnronkingsley3453]

I've started reading puritan books after watching your videos...thank you:)

[@saintonfire77]

My favorite Puritans are Thomas Manton, Thomas Goodwin and Richard Baxter. One can not go wrong reading the Old Puritan divines. Check out this book on the Puritans- kzbin.info/www/bejne/hnixqKyQmdJ5jKc

[@freelive6922]

impressive! I love all these books. I also have a lot, but not as many. Incredible. I discovered your videos with great pleasure.😊❤📚📖

[@saintonfire77]

Thank you for your kind words. I constantly dream of having ALL our books in book cases. But sadly that dream will never come true. If I live to be close to 80 years old I might start emptying our house of books. Maybe I will have to do that sooner because since 2017 I added books to our library. I am running out of room. What am I to do but take some books to our local library used books store to be sold to other readers. Once again thanks for the kind words. peace

[@athenassigil5820]

Wow! Looks like heaven to me! I collect books as well, not as many as you, but we're a rare breed, eh? Glad you posted this, always love seeing great book collections. Cheers!

[@Forgetit2697]

wow, I wish I had a vast collection as you do.

[@Forgetit2697]

Do you have hard cover philosophy books, if you do, would you sell them?

[@saintonfire77]

There is a flip side to having so many books and that it becomes unmanageable. I think if I could start over I would cut my library to a couple thousand not over eleven thousand and growing. Having so many books causes one over time to feel trapped. I long for empty space. I long to feel no longer the weight of so many books.

[@Forgetit2697]

I understand. It sort of feels like its closing in on you. Do you have hard cover philosophy books (Camus, Nietzsche, Schopenhauer, Kant) ? If you do have them then would you sell them?

[@saintonfire77]

I have book by all these philosophers because our oldest son studied Philosophy in grad school. I also collect the writings of Camus and Nietzsche. I have no books for sale. I collect books for a hobby and I am a book worm. Where do you live? If you live outside the United States sending a used book can be very expensive. I once wanted to send a used book I bought for a dollar to Canada and it would have cost me over twenty dollars to mail it to this individual. Even sending books in the United States is expensive. I am not a rich America. I am living on a limited income. peace

[@fayhayward5707]

Frédéric François Chopin ii

[@monildhabhai5093]

One day I would like to have this problem.

[@robinlillian9471]

Suggestion: Get more book shelves, put them in the middle of the room, and make aisles like in a library. You have room to do that. You will have more space to walk, could see the books better & the books are less likely to be damaged on shelves than on the floor. Also, you could probably fit more books in the same space that way. Even really cheap shelving you can put together would work.

[@saintonfire77]

I have thought of doing that but we need to keep an extra bed down in the lower level so we have a place to sleep when we have family visiting. What I need to do is get rid of some books. I recently donated to our library used books store 19 boxes of used books. Thanks for the suggestions.

[@sw3aty_forte]

I saw you had a copy of Les Fleurs du mal. Have you read it, and if so, what did you think of it? I have yet to get into French symbolist poetry, but Baudelaire and Rimbaud interest me greatly.

[@littleredflying-fox]

You, Sir, have an awesome collection. My collection of 7000+ books is paltry in comparison. It seems readily apparent that I need to up my game and hit the bookstores!

[@saintonfire77]

Most of our books were bought at thrift stores and used books sales. I am an old man so I have many years in collecting old used books. What kind of books do you enjoy having in your library?

[@littleredflying-fox]

@@saintonfire77 It is a pretty eclectic collection. Modern autographed first editions, Fantasy, Science Fiction, History, Art, Architecture, ect. I do collect religious books, in particular the works of the Westminster Divines such as Jeremiah Burroughs and Samuel Rutherford. Thrift stores and car boot sales can surprise you!

[@saintonfire77]

@@littleredflying-fox I have all the reprinted works of Jeremiah Burroughs. I remember reading many years ago Burroughs Exposition of Hosea being a rich blessing. When I first books I read when I got into the Reformed Faith/English Puritanism were the letters of Samuel Rutherford Banner of Truth paperback. I have a large English Puritan collection. Recently I bought the sixth volume of the Works of William Perkins being reprinted by Dr. Beeke at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids. I also collect all kinds of books/I am a student.

[@saintonfire77]

@@littleredflying-fox My Jeremiah Burroughs collection-www.librarything.com/catalog/bookmountain&collection=-1&deepsearch=Jeremiah+Burroughs

[@littleredflying-fox]

@@saintonfire77 You have good taste. Joel Beeke is an aquaintance of my father's. I have an autographed copy of his massive A Puritan Theology he co-authored with Mark Jones. I'm sure you have his commentary on Revelation in the Lectio Continua series put out by RHB. This whole series is worthwhile to seek out. Best wishes on your continued study!

[@bookwormlees]

Awesome! I love this video! Incredible!

[@saintonfire77]

Thank you so much!

[@noeliavami58]

Ahí tiene un tesoro !!! En Argentina un sólo libro de esos equivale al sueldo de un mes .

[@saintonfire77]

I hope this comment is positive and not something bad.

[@gwrbwborjouwary104]

Very Good

[@miebararommel3359]

Very nice. Please we need them here in Nigeria. Too poor to buy books

[@saintonfire77]

I am also too poor to buy new books so I buy old used books from resale stores. peace

[@bionicgreg95945]

Hello Jonny, this youtube video was shared on a Facebook page, so you might be getting many new subscribers!

[@saintonfire77]

The Lower Level no longer looks like it did in this 2017 video. I have been de-hauling books for a month now. I am seeking to get down to the basics/the books I definitely want to read for the next 30 years/favorite collections/see the most recent videos where I talk about getting new book cases.

[@chihabreda6681]

Wish to have many books like you. Unfortunately im poor man to afford that

[@saintonfire77]

A poor man can get a Bible and pray. We can come to know God more on our knees than by having library of theological books. God can by His Spirit fill us with divine holy knowledge/knowledge that leads to holiness and eternal life/fellowship with the Lord God. peace

[@powerslave6944]

No!!! Not the Lower level! Arghhh!...but on a serious note I hope to achieve something similar to you’re book dungeon one day.

[@cherrfaforbes3814]

Hoarding... While others in the world cannot afford to buy any!

[@saintonfire77]

Most of the books in our library we bought from Goodwill, Salvation Army, Bibles For Mexico and Action House which provides food for the poor. I see myself saving these old used books from going to the garbage dumb and finding a home. I am not a hoarder. I am a book lover. If our house was bigger our library would look more average. I know ministers who have bigger libraries than us. Also seminary and university professors I am sure have large libraries. I sometime see myself as a Christian who teaches American history or American literature. Thanks for the comments.

[@humais006]

Soon ihave a collection like you and than I will public my library

[@johnnyweeks]

Mind blowing! What a wonderful collection you have, Jonny. I love Theology, Commentaries, and the English Puritans and I was drooling over those shelves especially. How do you keep from purchasing duplicates--do you catalog your collection or do you just rely on your memory?

[@saintonfire77]

Thank you. I do catalog my books in LibraryThing. I also have our library organized somewhat. I keep books by topic in certain areas of our down in the lower library. Do you have any favorite English Puritan writers? Thanks for the comments-peace my LibraryThing site Bookmountain- www.librarything.com/profile/bookmountain

[@johnnyweeks]

Jonny Keen Thanks for the link. My favorite Puritans so far are Richard Baxter & Thomas Watson. I really enjoy your videos and I just purchased The Collection of St. John of the Cross. I appreciate you, brother!

[@saintonfire77]

I have a four volume set of The Practical Works of Richard Baxter. I also have many volumes of the writings of Thomas Watson in our library. I suggest reading St. John of the Cross together with Richard Baxter/his treatise for example Walking With God or a Holy Life. As always reading the Bible. peace

[@crystalmartinez4796]

Wow! This is awesome

[@michaelgarcia2973]

I got rid of all my books and now only focus on The Economist magazine

[@saintonfire77]

If I get to be 80 years old I might get rid of my books. I will donate my vast Christian library to a local seminary/Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary. peace

[@CobwebsandCandlesticks]

That is one beautiful hot mess!

[@saintonfire77]

It is a mess!

[@bridget1540]

Do they get musty smelling being down in the basement/laundry area?

[@saintonfire77]

No the books do not smell musty, but some could use being aired out. When the weather is warm I open the windows and doors and let the books breath fresh air. It amazes me how free of moisture our basement is! During the summer months I do run a dehumidifier to suck on the water in the air. Thank you for asking. peace

[@ЛарисаКириленко-т8э]

that's fantastic!!!!

[@keepuwu-ing7653]

You could sell some of these an buy a bookshelf from ikea with the money

[@saintonfire77]

Yesterday we had over to our place a fellow who is going to build us 35 book case units for the lower level.

[@jeananne2408]

Flipping heck !

[@anirudhsingh9207]

You should hire some volunteers to manage your books...i am sure people will contribute to it and you can get a really well sorted library

[@saintonfire77]

I often have daydreams of someone going through our book collection and putting them in some order. What we need is a bigger house and more book cases. Pray all is well. blessings

[@aadilyousufkashmiri5742]

May God bless you

[@saintonfire77]

May the Lord bless you.

[@chihabreda6681]

I envy you for that cos u're living in heaven

[@dennismarin2351]

Does everyone in your family read? Awesome library!

[@saintonfire77]

My wife and our children (married with families) do not read as much as I do. They meaning family do read but not like I do. I am a book worm/a book lover whereas no one in my family are. Stay safe

[@Nounboy1066]

A few books, then?

[@saintonfire77]

Book lovers can never have enough books! peace

[@EugeneONeill-pf5bj]

This may seem like a rude comment, but it is certainly not meant to be: Unless you are using this space as a free library for friends and family, I am not sure why someone would collect so many books. I think this is really unique, but hopefully the Lower Level is open to borrowers you know.

[@saintonfire77]

This video is seven years old. I have since then had bookcases built for the Lower Level. I also have gotten rid of a lot used books. The Lower Level does not look like it did seven years ago. I often take boxes of used books for in-store credit at a local used books store. Thank you for the comment. peace

[@EugeneONeill-pf5bj]

@@saintonfire77 Thank you, sir. Enjoy the videos very much.

[@lw1343]

Why do you have the books? Do you sell books?

[@saintonfire77]

I have books because I love to read and learn new things. No I do not sell books, but I do collect old used books. Most of our books are used.

[@H1N1777]

What is that giant Nirvana book at 2:48? I’m a huge Nirvana fan and I’ve never seen that!

[@saintonfire77]

"Nirvana: The Biography' by Everett True. I am also a big Nirvana fan.

[@lisaladd4981]

Thanks for the tour. That was amazing! Just curious, do you have any idea how many books you have?

[@saintonfire77]

I have been for awhile cataloging my books in LibraryThing for a couple of years. I have not cataloged all of our books-for example I have not cataloged my wife's books. But I think we have around 9000 books maybe more. I have not cataloged our children's books or some of my Christian books. I have been basically cataloging books I have bought used etc. Here is my LibraryThing site to give you an idea of the types of books I like to collect- www.librarything.com/profile/bookmountain

[@lisaladd4981]

Thanks so much for the link to your library thing account. Later today when I have more time, I will check that out. I really enjoy looking at other people's book collections :)

[@saintonfire77]

I also like looking at people's libraries in LibraryThing.

[@ЛарисаКириленко-т8э]

Do you know how many books you have??

[@dilavercananov]

İ want to now how many books have You read since your childhood?

[@saintonfire77]

I do not know how many books I have read in my life time. Thank you for the comment. What is important is to read. peace

[@djcorvette8375]

any of those for sale?

[@saintonfire77]

I do not sell my books. Last year I donated 19 boxes to our local library used books store. Most of my books no one would buy anyway. I have strange literary taste. Thanks for stopping by. peace

[@Nounboy1066]

No Shakespeare?

[@saintonfire77]

I do have a collection of Shakespeare books. But I have not read Shakespeare. www.librarything.com/catalog/bookmountain&collection=-1&deepsearch=Shakespeare

[@ParaSniper2504]

You need a warehouse! Or a separate building!

[@saintonfire77]

What I need is a big house filled with book shelves! I am running out of space. What am I going to do?

[@rslight2849]

Do you read the books or just collect them?

[@saintonfire77]

I am always reading the books we collect. But I do not read every books I bring into our library. I love swimming an ocean of books! Stay safe. You can read 21 years of my reading life here in my online diary Crookedfingers- crookedfingers.livejournal.com/

[@issamramdani825]

Wtf it's amazing

[@saintonfire77]

Books are amazing! I love books! peace

[@kuenzangdema6472]

❤❤❤

[@eitenswelt7002]

Did you cover a dartboard?!

[@saintonfire77]

No I had to take down the dartboard. Our oldest son was into competitive darts, but recently gave it up. I put his old dartboard into one of the back storage rooms. I also had to take the John Wayne Poster in the back room. Thanks for asking-peace

[@tamejhouletaures1916]

Books books books , so many books 💙💙💙

[@saintonfire77]

books are a blessing!

[@jyotiranjansahu2800]

HOW YOU ARE COLLECTED MANY BOOKS PLEASE SAY.

[@saintonfire77]

I have been collecting new and used books for 42 years. You can see some of what we have in our library in our LibraryThing site- www.librarything.com/profile/bookmountain

[@tigerinthetunnel]

Sir, have you read all these books, no offense just curious. Respect sir. You have a vast amount of reading behind you where our generation is so uninterested in reading.

[@saintonfire77]

No I am a book collector. I love having books. Most of my books are from used books sales and thrift stores. peace

[@tigerinthetunnel]

Jonny Keen sir why don't you open a home library so that other people can also get access to the vast amount of knowledge that you have stored. I mean I don't have a say and it's absolutely your decision.

[@saintonfire77]

No one reads the books I read. Most of my books are Christians/Calvinism/English Puritanism. I have been a book worm all my conscious life and have met maybe a hand full of people who are serious readers. Plus I do not loan out my books. People in general do not treat books with love/tender care. I also hate not having all my books with me as I travel through the American wasteland. peace

[@tigerinthetunnel]

Jonny Keen ok sir, but I'd love to discuss this with you because I also prefer to keep my books to myself and not lend them :D thanks for replying anyway

[@powerslave6944]

Me too, I’d never lend my books to anyone I guess I’m afraid of people messing them up.

[@joeyfrancisco5751]

Not Enoch space

[@sWoelfle]

So finally a case of "too many books"... Never thought I'd say that.. Imho this doesn't look like a healthy collection anymore, just like hoarding.

[@saintonfire77]

If I had a house twice as big as the one we currently owned and had all these books in bookcases you would say I had a nice library. I have known people over the years you have bigger libraries then me. These folks had their books on bookcases and looked neat. If had a video of just books placed in bookcases I do not think you would have called me a hoarder. peace

[@ParaSniper2504]

You're damaging your books! My CDO would kick in and I would loose it.

[@saintonfire77]

Most of the books are already damaged because they were bought used.

[@andrewbradbury8527]

Ridiculous 🤣

[@saintonfire77]

That is an old video. I have gotten books cases since then and got rid of some of my used books. Still have a lot of old used books because I am a book lover/collector. peace

[@andrewbradbury8527]

@@saintonfire77 I've never seen so many books in all my 61 years! More than a library! I enjoy watching your videos though, very interesting... best wishes from England 🤗

[@RobertBuckinghamTh.D.]

Jonny - if your were forced to get rid of all your books, but you could keep 3 - what would the 3 be? - (excluding The Bible)

[@saintonfire77]

I have mentioned in my videos that besides the Bible there are my favorite books- 'The Collected Works Of St. John Of The Cross' Translated by Kieran Kavanaugh & Otilion Rodriguez 'The Cloud Of Unknowing' by an unknown mystic of the 14th century 'Carthusian Spirituality: The Writings Of Hugh Of Balam & Guigo De Ponte' Translated And Introduced By Dennis D. Martin [The Classics Of Western Spirituality]

[@Doubledig]

I have 3000 books, which doesn't look anything like the size of your library. Invest in some more bookcases. You have space if you organise better!

[@saintonfire77]

I am planning on organizing our library soon. The problem I find is that I am always buying more used books. I can't find any used books presently in our library to get rid of. A couple of years ago I gave a thousand used books to our local library used books store but since then I am sure I added a thousand more. The only thing I can see is narrowing down our book collection to what ever can be placed in shelves/bookcases and getting rid of the extra books. But that means no more buying books. For me I do not see an end in buying/collecting used books because I love books and find enjoyment in collecting more. Can I go cold turkey? Can I live life without adding used books to our library? What am I to do? peace

[@Doubledig]

Jonny, Thanks for your reply. I love buying books too but you have to be realistic that you are out of space. Maybe restrict yourself to how often you go to the thrift store or stop ordering of Amazon. Maybe change your focus. Have you catalogued the books you already have? Maybe catalogue them on Goodreads or LibraryThing websites. Your lower level library could accomodate waist high (or maybe taller) bookcases in the middle of the room instead of piles of books on tables. Hope this helps.

[@saintonfire77]

@@Doubledig Here is my Librarything site Bookmountain www.librarything.com/profile/bookmountain

[@numlockdelete320]

Read the goddamm books rigth Now !!!!!

[@KejnTheImmortal]

Shut the hell up.