When the pandemic began, I went through my bookshelves, looking for a book that would help me as a moved through my days. A GENTLEMAN IN MOSCOW, by Amor Towles fit that role perfectly. I had loved the book when I read it when it was published, but reading it during the pandemic seemed very timely. He spent most of his life in one room of a hotel which was lots like being quarantined. I was able to see the ways in which he managed to enrich his life even while he was limited in the ways in which he could venture out into the world. Thanks for reminding us of all those treasures that linger on our shelves, waiting to take us to new and unexplored adventures.
I have so many books I have yet to read! My goal is to get the remainder of the Patricia Cornwell/Kay Scarpetta series finished. That being said, once I finish those next up is Mary Trumps book about her uncle. I bought it when it first came out but had so many books started it fell by the wayside.
Tommy - Lynda Bouchard here. Fellow bibliophile & ink sniffer! In fact, I officially put that name into the mix for your books-off-the-shelf column! Ink Sniffers. (Really!)
Thanks for the nudge to find & read dust-laden, long forgotten books. Turns out, it was a delightful adventure.
I found - and highly recommend- the children's book, 'Adventure at Murray's' by David Roberts (age 12). A book for children BY a child author , which I apparently got from the 'discard' bin at the Montgomery Alabama County Library because stamped in RED is:
DISCARD. What a find!
Who is better qualified to write for children than children themselves? 'What if' takes on intriguing possibilities in a child's imagination.
This book is about being locked in a grocery store (Murrays) overnight.
Extraordinary adventures take place!
'Adventure at Murrays' is now within easy reaching on my bookshelf. Dusted off, breathing again, no longer discarded.
Completely agree with the coach's outlook on retirement/end-of-life planning. Off to find an unread golden oldie! Looking forward to getting your newsletters, Tommy!
I've been needing to do this for a long long time. Unfortunately most of them are thousand page novels by James Michener. ;) cheers Tommy. Who you got for tge Super Bowl? I'm going with Dr. Dre :)
739 page "An Instance of the Fingerpost" by Ian Pears has been on my bookshelf since it was a best seller in 1998. The bookmark inside is it's page torn from the book of the day calendar where it is noted Barnes and Noble employees ranked it as one of the best books they ever read. Which says a lot considering it is set in England in the 1660s. “Iain Pears’ intricately plotted, highly intelligent and very enjoyable novel explores the troubling and problematic side of the historical movement labelled with the smug term ‘The Enlightenment’.” Finally read it, every word. It was painful. Required a google search for references that filled my copy with sticky notes in a futile attempt to understand what was happening. Not meant as a bad review as much as evidence I don't have the reading level of those informative helpful Barnes and Noble employees. And evidence of my extraordinary perseverance: the only book I never finished is Herman Hesse's The Glass Bead Game (ugh). Subjecting the Charlotte Great Book Society to discussing it next month. Group members inform me only the abridged version is on audio, divine mercy for the nonreaders. May this doorstop of a book find an appreciative reader in the free library, but oh wow now I have freed up space for more books!
Ahhhh....the Scholastic Book Club. A long lost, well remembered friend. I did not borrow against my allowance though, but scoured the neighborhood for pop bottles to return. Today, my preferred pusher is "Half Priced Books".
There is a Japanese term for our affliction. Tsundoku are people that own a lot of unread literature, piled up around home/office. I suppose its better than a book hoarder.
I look forward to your solution and future choice bits of wisdom such as the retirement/demise final solution.
I'm working on the 52 Books Challenge this year, with the idea that I will read some of these books I already own! I finished "Of Bees and Mist" and am working on "Post Traumatic Church Syndrome". (I have to admit that I have purchased one book this year, though: "Maus".)
When the pandemic began, I went through my bookshelves, looking for a book that would help me as a moved through my days. A GENTLEMAN IN MOSCOW, by Amor Towles fit that role perfectly. I had loved the book when I read it when it was published, but reading it during the pandemic seemed very timely. He spent most of his life in one room of a hotel which was lots like being quarantined. I was able to see the ways in which he managed to enrich his life even while he was limited in the ways in which he could venture out into the world. Thanks for reminding us of all those treasures that linger on our shelves, waiting to take us to new and unexplored adventures.
Linda Minor
I have so many books I have yet to read! My goal is to get the remainder of the Patricia Cornwell/Kay Scarpetta series finished. That being said, once I finish those next up is Mary Trumps book about her uncle. I bought it when it first came out but had so many books started it fell by the wayside.
Tommy - Lynda Bouchard here. Fellow bibliophile & ink sniffer! In fact, I officially put that name into the mix for your books-off-the-shelf column! Ink Sniffers. (Really!)
Thanks for the nudge to find & read dust-laden, long forgotten books. Turns out, it was a delightful adventure.
I found - and highly recommend- the children's book, 'Adventure at Murray's' by David Roberts (age 12). A book for children BY a child author , which I apparently got from the 'discard' bin at the Montgomery Alabama County Library because stamped in RED is:
DISCARD. What a find!
Who is better qualified to write for children than children themselves? 'What if' takes on intriguing possibilities in a child's imagination.
This book is about being locked in a grocery store (Murrays) overnight.
Extraordinary adventures take place!
'Adventure at Murrays' is now within easy reaching on my bookshelf. Dusted off, breathing again, no longer discarded.
Lynda Bouchard
author of 'The Witches Three Count on Me!'
Completely agree with the coach's outlook on retirement/end-of-life planning. Off to find an unread golden oldie! Looking forward to getting your newsletters, Tommy!
I've been needing to do this for a long long time. Unfortunately most of them are thousand page novels by James Michener. ;) cheers Tommy. Who you got for tge Super Bowl? I'm going with Dr. Dre :)
It's a good book!
739 page "An Instance of the Fingerpost" by Ian Pears has been on my bookshelf since it was a best seller in 1998. The bookmark inside is it's page torn from the book of the day calendar where it is noted Barnes and Noble employees ranked it as one of the best books they ever read. Which says a lot considering it is set in England in the 1660s. “Iain Pears’ intricately plotted, highly intelligent and very enjoyable novel explores the troubling and problematic side of the historical movement labelled with the smug term ‘The Enlightenment’.” Finally read it, every word. It was painful. Required a google search for references that filled my copy with sticky notes in a futile attempt to understand what was happening. Not meant as a bad review as much as evidence I don't have the reading level of those informative helpful Barnes and Noble employees. And evidence of my extraordinary perseverance: the only book I never finished is Herman Hesse's The Glass Bead Game (ugh). Subjecting the Charlotte Great Book Society to discussing it next month. Group members inform me only the abridged version is on audio, divine mercy for the nonreaders. May this doorstop of a book find an appreciative reader in the free library, but oh wow now I have freed up space for more books!
Dag Hammarskjold “Markings”
Ahhhh....the Scholastic Book Club. A long lost, well remembered friend. I did not borrow against my allowance though, but scoured the neighborhood for pop bottles to return. Today, my preferred pusher is "Half Priced Books".
There is a Japanese term for our affliction. Tsundoku are people that own a lot of unread literature, piled up around home/office. I suppose its better than a book hoarder.
I look forward to your solution and future choice bits of wisdom such as the retirement/demise final solution.
EVERY time I try to go bare bones/minimalist, the books laugh at me. Fiction, nonfiction, straight up weird….they’re everywhere.
Currently reading “The Other Black Girl” after an NPR recommendation. A little soapy, VERY good.
I'm working on the 52 Books Challenge this year, with the idea that I will read some of these books I already own! I finished "Of Bees and Mist" and am working on "Post Traumatic Church Syndrome". (I have to admit that I have purchased one book this year, though: "Maus".)