Books and More Books

Can anyone really say one book is their favorite?

I have favorites from all parts of my life. Discovering dream worlds when I was a young girl was unbelievably exciting. Shel Silverstein’s poetry, Judy Blume’s coming of age novels, and the Beezus and Ramona books were a doorway to my creativity. I loved the afternoons in second grade when my teacher would read to us. She would turn off the fluorescent lights and the natural light would give way to the relaxing atmosphere of imagination, 

The library was my home away from home. Getting my library card was so exciting. My mother taught me to take a canvas bag along and fill it up after I couldn’t carry what I had selected. As a young girl it didn’t take long before Nancy Drew and her ‘friend” Ned wasn’t as interesting as the romance novels in the teen section. 

Somewhere along the way, I was passionately absorbed by greek mythology. Then sign language and later research. 

My college library was heaven. It was several stories and the back was floor to ceiling windows overlooking the bluffs of Dubuque, Iowa. At night you could drive up the hill and see the stacks shining through the windows. It was one of my favorite sights to see coming back into town after a visit home. The warmth called to me.  I loved opening the door to peace and quiet. I was enchanted the entire four years climbing the steps up the center stairway to find a cozy spot. I envied my neighbor in the dorm who chose to pursue  library science. Imagine going to work in a library the rest of your life!

Sometimes, when the days seem too wild or there is too much chaos, I will imagine one the many libraries I have visited and dream of the serenity. Have you ever noticed the way the quiet sounds? Or the smell of paper as it flips through your fingers? Or the way the tall stacks give a sense of protection and peace in a crazy world?

Consider this the tip of the iceberg of my love and reflections on reading. Who wants to hear more?