My, I enjoyed reading this. It feels like I walked through your hallway and stood in front of that bookshelf too.
I haven’t read most of the titles you mentioned, but I have read one of Zola’s works. The title is escaping me right now, which is funny because a lecturer in my department was practically obsessed with his works. She talks about Zola with so much passion that I feel like I’ve read half the Rougon-Macquart cycle by osmosis.
And honestly, I completely get what you mean about books feeling undervalued these days. It breaks my heart a bit too but finding books online makes it a lil easier. Regardless, there’s something irreplaceable about the weight of a book in your hand, or the look of an old hardback that’s been through a couple of lives already. Kindle can’t compete with that.
As for the books I’d never part with, definitely the ones tied to memories more than anything else.
They've actually done a study on it and tactile, real books 📚 help you retain what you read better as well!