[Descant]

Originally Posted by DickR

That's "I could have been an English major if it were not for spelling and grammar."

https://www.grammar-monster.com/glos...ctive_mood.htm

[One nerdy thread-drift post begets another]

You beat me to it. The statement requires a subjunctive as it is contrary to fact. In old NH colloquial the statement would be " ...if twarn't..." (muffled NH 'r'). LOL
In pre-internet days my sister had her own business in DC establishing/maintaining industrial libraries for companies who had dedicated libraries on site. Not so much anymore. If these are textbooks with highlighting and notes in the margins, glue the pages together, cut out the center and sell them as places to hide valuables.