Since I've been gone

I've been gone an awfully long time. I know. Many busy days and a nasty flu are to blame.
Today I want to talk about books and how they speak to who we are.
It recently came to my attention that I am un comfortable sharing my books with people I don't know well.
It's not what one might assume. I am not stingy with my books. It's not that I don't want to share my possessions with someone else.
The reason may surprise you.
I don't want to share my soul with a stranger.
You may scoff at that. You may think that what you read doesn't say anything about you but deep down you know it does. I can tell a lot about someone by looking at their home library. What you choose to read tells me who you are in such an intimate way that it can potentially be uncomfortable. Especially when it comes to me sharing with you.
Recently I have been in a position to participate in a book swap with some people I don't know well. I haven't brought any of my reading material in yet. I look at my over flowing book shelves and wonder which books are appropriate to share at this point. If I bring in that parenting book will someone guess that I've had significant challenges with my teenage son? If I bring in that book will they know that I've struggled with providing appropriate leadership? If I bring in this other book will they think it odd that someone in my position loves to enter the supernatural world after dealing with too much reality all day long.
I suppose in the end it isn't about the books it's about me and my unwillingness to show my cards. Any of them. I have become such a private person over the years and I hadn't even realized it until it came time to share my books with someone else.
So now I'm left to say "I'm sorry I just don't feel we've reached that stage in our relationship where I can share my books with you."
Have you ever felt this way?