I’ve never been into collecting things. I was given a stamp album as a child and managed to stick in a few hinges and a couple of Penny Reds before throwing it into the back of a drawer. When I was a teenager my friend Dave tried to get me into Warhammer and I helped him to paint a lead Orc or two from his assembled ranks of over three thousand figures. But, after a few hours I thought, stuff this for a game of soldiers, and went out, blinking into the light. I’ve never quite understood the thrill of accumulation.

However, I’ve recently realised that, perhaps I am a hoarder after all, and a fanatical one at that. This is because our house is gradually filling up with books. They’re spreading from the shelves and now clog up cupboards, windowsills and tables. They’re even acting as extra insulation in our loft. On my desk at the moment are a copy of Peter Carey’s True History of the Kelly Gang, a pocket guide to Normandy and two Beano annuals.

So, I can see that Nintendo are onto something with their 100 Classic Book Collection for the DS. In one compact cartridge you’ll find Heathcliffe on top of Little Nell and several other Little Women. Prospero, Pinocchio and Dr. Jekyll are all grouped together here too. With works from authors like Louisa May Alcott, Shakespeare, Dickens and Oscar Wilde this is a portable library of must read books. Okay, there are going to be some of these books that you’ve already discovered but if so, you could take the old paper copies to the charity shop, create space around the house and then everyone benefits.

My fifteen year old niece came to visit us recently and spent much of the stay with her head buried in this collection, so it obviously encourages youngsters to read. The touch screen application probably adds to the appeal. I also imagine it would be great to take on holiday, as it will save you having to lug several paperbacks onto the plane. I’m longsighted and I was impressed by the fact that you can alter the size of the text to help you see the books clearly. There are other neat touches too; for example, the DS helps you to find a book that will match your mood. My wife and I are both stuck in the house together at the moment, so I’m currently reading The Taming of the Shrew and Les Miserables. She’s reading ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ and ‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame’.

As well as helping you choose a book there is also a bookmark function to ensure you never lose your place. My dad would like this, as I once watched him turn down the corner on page one of a book. The fact that you hold the DS just like a book seems to add to the experience too. Once you have read all the books in this collection you can use the Wi-Fi connection to download ten more books and rank your favourite titles. If you like music playing in the background as you read, Nintendo have also provided a selection of tunes.

What this collection has made me doubt is my reason for having a house full of books. Maybe all I’m doing is trying to show off to visitors.

If you would like more information on the Nintendo 100 Classic Book Collection click here.

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