The hardest part of moving is purging. The hardest part of purging are the books. Deciding which to keep and which to discard is a kind of Sophie’s choice; which of my children should I let go? Do I relegate my favorite books to the donation pile or the garbage pile?

Even a glance at their spines makes the characters jump out and rouse my love anew. How to choose? Once gone, will I forget Philip and Mildred, Úrsula Buendía, Lolita, Sabina, Jane, Genevieve and all? Will the poignant thoughts and emotions they evoked also disappear and leave me bereft?