A Tale of Three Books
2005.07.23 19:54

Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary of Current English -Fourth Edition 1989
I started using this dictionary in April, 1990, so I've been using it for more than 15 years. Now sixth editiion was published. But because I've been so accustomed to using it, I've been unable to buy the newer one. As a matter of fact, I bought an English dictionary as early as I was sixteen years old. The one I bought was *Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary of Current English -Third Edition 1975*, so I bought it in 1977. It was so hard for me to use it well partly in that it was too early for a beginner like me to use it well and partly probably it was not suitable yet for learners whose native tongue is not English. So I must say in 14 years the editorial team studied well how to make a dictionary so suitable for learners to use it well. Thanks to this dictionary, I must say I learned a lot. Now the cover made of leather becomes untidy and a lot of pages are folded but still endurable in use.
Pocket Oxford Dictionary -Ninth Edition 2001
I wrote down the date of purchase in back of cover which says 10th October 2002, so I started using this dictionary about three years ago. At that time I sometimes started encounter new words that does not have entries in OALD (above mentioned). I like using this dictionary particularly in knowing word origin. Very good dictionary. The problem was because I bought the paperback, the book was already devided into ten or something parts. It is available to buy a leather cover edition which costs $50.
A Complete Pocket Atlas -Avon Books 1990
Believe or not, I am a teacher of social studies. As a teacher I need to refer to maps too many times. Especially in the wake of independence of new countries, I would often write down the name of the countries above trace sheet on the map.
Preferrably I want to hand down my books to my kid. But first I need to have my love our kid. Otherwise I must bring them to my grave, which I don't want to. Good books are worth while being used by someone. Good knowlegde has to be transmitted and prevailed. As a teacher, though not so good one, I deeply think so.