Every now and then I update my book’s “directory,” a file that contains all the titles and dates of my notes arranged by yearbooks, as well as all the addenda and their dates. In addition, each note carries a number, which starts from one in each yearbook, of which there now are 25. These are Arabic numerals, whereas all the yearbooks carry Roman numerals. This is all the directory contains. I use it quite often when I look for a particular piece, which I wish to read or add to. Having updated it this evening, I decided to see the word count of the file. As I have never done this before, the count surprised me: 27,375 words. It should not have surprised me, though. Not including this piece, so far I have accumulated 3,344 notes and 955 addenda, a total of 4,299 distinct pieces of writing with as many accompanying dates and numbers. The Residua has grown into such a freak that the sparest account of its bits and pieces now adds up to a sizeable document. Following Borges’ lead, I will soon be able to publish an entire book containing nothing but my hulking directory.

Addendum I (September 16, 2015)

Only sixteen years later, my directory is amazing to behold. There are no less then 40 yearbooks to it. All told, but not including this addendum, there are 16,594 notes or pieces and 2,868 addenda, or a total of 19,462 distinct pieces of writing. And the directory itself counts 137,150 words. Goodness gracious! Which is why Borges comes to my mind ever more often. My hulking directory would make a book to behold! And it would probably be one of my favorite books of mine. Alas, all I need is that proverbial publisher on the white horse…

Addendum II (September 4, 2016)

Out of the blue, Borges’ lead popped up in my mind a short while ago. I found this piece quickly enough, and I almost laughed at the numbers in the original piece and the first addendum. Right now, there are 17,237 pieces and 3,457 addenda, not including this one, which add up to 20,694 distinct pieces of writing. And the directory counts 144,645 words. Sooner or later, I will come up with yet another book, which I will dedicate to Borges with relish. My mind is made up already, but I am not yet sure about the timing. It would be wise to wait a few more years, though, as well as to ensure that the directory will be updated for the last time just after my death. As for the publisher, now I am my own publisher. And the World Wide Web is my oyster. Directory, a book to reckon with!

Addendum III (December 31, 2025)

Lo and behold, Residua: Directory is out at last (“Finally!” December 31, 2025). And it is dedicated to Borges in tune with the previous addendum. To my joy, Dario Dandolo wrote a short review of this book of mine long before it appeared in print, as it were (“It Smacks of Fiction,” November 28, 2020). Notably, Dandolo focused on Borges, the author of the fist directory. Given its mindboggling bulk, the new book smacks of fiction, indeed. Returning to my Residua, it now boasts of nearly 19,000 pieces of writing and 5,000 addenda extending them, while the directory counts no less than 165,000 words. With some luck, these numbers will not change very much by the time I bring my writing project to its end. And I hope this will come to pass well before my death, for I wish to round it off while I am in the best of shapes still. Fingers crossed, as ever. In addition, I hope that this is the last book of mine. There are fifteen of them so far, and that is a number that is very to my liking at this stage of my life. Enough is enough.