I love this. Something I also notice is a really good book will also be associated with the moment I read it. I’ll usually leave a small note in my favorite books: the month and year I read it, and the location (even if it’s just « at home »). I think the way we feel about our readings is strongly correlated with the context in which we do our readings: who were we when we read this book? What was life like at that given moment?
I love reading library books… but I hate when a book I borrow from the library falls into this category, because I want to own the exact copy I held when something in me indescribably changed because of reading it.
There are few things I love as much as my dogeared, underlined, tearstained “keepers.”
I’m just shy of 80. I’ve read all my life. I know this feeling! I have books everywhere in the house. I even have some paperback classics that l read in my College courses. I know l need to start culling before my kids have to do it. So l am trying to give many away. But the many which fall into your category of having touched my soul will stay. And my children will know that these are part of me and cannot be sold or tossed. These books must first be read by them; there is so much to be gained by living with the characters!
Your recent book, The Frozen River, moved me as well. I love the subversive, yet oh so competent, main character, Martha. Yes, midwives are heroes and your story showed her as one. I also love how books make me feel. Harry Potter, Jane Eyre, Huck Finn, Fourth Wing, and on and on. I could walk through the memory of those feelings and reminisce all day. Thank you for pointing this out.
“The Frozen River” is one of those books that will be on my shelf and will pick it up to flip to a page to visit with Martha Ballard once again. I immediately missed her when I finished the last paragraph. Thank you for adding her to my trove of unforgettable characters.
We have very similar tastes in literature which is lovely!
Your book filled shelves are beautiful and your love for them inspiring. I am in the process of a home build where I will have a small library of my own. I can’t wait to tuck my beloved novels into their new home.
Wonderful as always. I love this collection.
I love this. Something I also notice is a really good book will also be associated with the moment I read it. I’ll usually leave a small note in my favorite books: the month and year I read it, and the location (even if it’s just « at home »). I think the way we feel about our readings is strongly correlated with the context in which we do our readings: who were we when we read this book? What was life like at that given moment?
Of, that’s great. It reminds me of Martha’s notes in The Frozen River: “At home.”
I love reading library books… but I hate when a book I borrow from the library falls into this category, because I want to own the exact copy I held when something in me indescribably changed because of reading it.
There are few things I love as much as my dogeared, underlined, tearstained “keepers.”
I’ve been known to buy my own copy on these occasions, even though I’ve already read the library book 🥹
I usually do, too! But it bothers me that it looks so untouched. Good excuse to read it again, I guess!
Indeed! :)
Our shelves are very related…
I resonate with this...
Absolutely love this. It's so true that the feeling lingers long after the exact details are forgotten.
George MacDonald! Me, too! Thanks for sharing your keepers. Love it!
I’m just shy of 80. I’ve read all my life. I know this feeling! I have books everywhere in the house. I even have some paperback classics that l read in my College courses. I know l need to start culling before my kids have to do it. So l am trying to give many away. But the many which fall into your category of having touched my soul will stay. And my children will know that these are part of me and cannot be sold or tossed. These books must first be read by them; there is so much to be gained by living with the characters!
Yes, the feelings, evoked by books, stay and become landmarks in rhythm of my life
Your recent book, The Frozen River, moved me as well. I love the subversive, yet oh so competent, main character, Martha. Yes, midwives are heroes and your story showed her as one. I also love how books make me feel. Harry Potter, Jane Eyre, Huck Finn, Fourth Wing, and on and on. I could walk through the memory of those feelings and reminisce all day. Thank you for pointing this out.
“The Frozen River” is one of those books that will be on my shelf and will pick it up to flip to a page to visit with Martha Ballard once again. I immediately missed her when I finished the last paragraph. Thank you for adding her to my trove of unforgettable characters.
We have very similar tastes in literature which is lovely!
Your book filled shelves are beautiful and your love for them inspiring. I am in the process of a home build where I will have a small library of my own. I can’t wait to tuck my beloved novels into their new home.
I've told my husband, in case of a fire, to grab the photos. I want my arms free to save the books. That’s how much they mean to me.
I've often told my husband to grab the photos in case of a fire. I want my arms free to grab my books. They mean that much to me.