#6 Buying Books

If there is one thing that every Princeton seminarian loves, it’s buying books. If you’re ever in a bookstore around Princeton, without a doubt you’ll be able to spot Princeton seminarians rather easily.  Simply meander your way towards the theology or religion section, and look for studious looking young adults in their twenties or early thirties wearing mostly black and orange clothing.  Although they’re easy to spot in retail bookstores, Princeton seminarians tend to be a thrifty bunch, so used bookshops might offer a better opportunity to observe them in their preferred habitat.  A good rule of thumb is, the cheaper the books, the greater the number of Princeton seminarians.  Perhaps this is why they come in droves to used book sales, and in particular to the Seminary’s annual Stewardship sale in Whiteley Gymnasium.  Many Princeton seminarians even camp out the night before its opening, to insure that they’ll have first crack at the sale.

If you do decide to come on the first day of this yearly sale, it’s worth wearing a few extra layers of clothing, not because it’s cold in the gym, but due to the “check Jesus at the door” policy in which Princeton seminarians like to participate.  You’re guaranteed to get a little roughed up from the frantic shoving for table position.  Also, be prepared for a surprise body check if you’re holding a first edition of anything written by Barth.  If you prefer to look for books in a more civilized climate, try the second day of the sale.  Keep in mind, there are still many great books to be found, you just have to know where to look.  You see, Princeton seminarians like to hide books in the less perused sections, in hopes that they can pick them up cheap on the five dollar box day.  Consequently, some of the best places to look for those literary gems is in the devotional life and prayer section.

Given the book buying tendencies of Princeton seminarians, it’s rather ironic to find out that most of them don’t actually read the books they purchase, they just like displaying them on their bookshelves.  While most people decorate their apartments with artwork, pictures, and memorabilia from international travel, Princeton seminarians like to line their walls with shelves of moldy books they’ll probably never read.  If you’re every visiting a Princeton seminarian, one of the most desired complements you can pay them upon entering their apartment or dorm room is, “Wow… you sure have a lot of books!”  Alternatively, if you want to belittle their meager collection, simply ask where they keep the rest of their books.  After a few failed attempts to hide their embarrassment, they’ll probably say something like, “Uhhh… most of them are in storage.”