A life measured in books
The first book on my reading pile for this month was Sipsworth by Simon van Booy. I began it Monday night and finished it Tuesday morning. Sipsworth is the story of Helen Cartwright, a reclusive, elderly woman who returns to the English village of her childhood, alone, following the deaths of her husband and son. And then she meets a mouse. This book was pure joy!
When I was approaching retirement, a friend suggested I should reflect on what I loved to do as a child. Reading immediately jumped to mind! I have been an avid reader since I was a young child - an escape, a journey, and I have learned tons!
So here I am thinking of books and what a constant they are in my life. I know many of you also love to read, so this week I thought I would share some random stories that showcase my love of books.
Marginalia
When we married, almost forty years ago, one of our favourite wedding presents was a Harrowsmith cookbook, a gift from my friend Dib. Dib had gone through the recipes and made notes about her most and least favourite recipes, as well as scribbling adjustments she had made to some of the recipes. Initially, the writing in the cookbook felt like sacrilege - I had never written in margins! Now, if you were to choose a random book from one of my bookcases, you might find it filled with post-it notes and comments. Only in pencil, though!
Marginalia are the scribbles, comments, and drawings made in the margins of a book. Edgar Allan Poe once wrote: ‘In getting my books, I have been always solicitous of an ample margin … for the facility it affords me of pencilling suggested thoughts, agreements and differences of opinion …’
Baby books instead of cards
Plans are underway for a baby shower for my youngest daughter, who is expecting in March. Guests are requested to bring a favourite children’s book, rather than a card. What a great way to start a first library! What’s my favourite book to gift? Mama Do You Love Me. I have fond memories of reading it to my girls and now love reading it to my grandchildren.
Gain more from reading by taking it slow
I fly through books while my husband reads every word. He wonders how I retain anything, and often I don’t. But there are book passages I read slowly, savouring the beauty of words strung together. In Sipsworth, I noted the following sentence, a description of the main character: “A woman who knows she is moving away from the best part of her life toward the version in memory that’ll come to define her.”
Robert DiYanni offers a thoughtful guide to appreciating literature through the art of slow, attentive reading in the article, How to gain more from your reading.
Leaving random books in public places
Have you ever found a random book left on a seat in an airport, or left behind at a vacation rental? I believe this practice originated with BookCrossings. Before you launch your book into the world, you can register it for free at BookCrossings and print a label to place in the book. As readers finish your book, they can access the registration and leave a note before leaving it for someone else to find. A fun way to track your book around the world!
I am not so formal in sharing my books. I leave them on the ferry and on the book cart outside the library. I am now thinking I should add some marginalia, a brief note inside the front cover, sharing my thoughts about the book - and maybe highlight some of my favourites sentences!
Read the book first, or watch the movie?
Which do you do first? I expect most of you, like me, first read the book. I love creating characters in my mind, adding details to the scenery, and experiencing the story first-hand. I am usually disappointed with the movie after reading the book. Do some of you remember the adaptation of Louise Penny’s Still Life, back in 2013, starring Nathaniel Parker? A lovely man to look at, but not my idea of Inspector Gamache! Alfred Molina, more recently in Three Pines, suited the role much better in my mind.
The anticipation of pre-orders
Anticipation is one of my favourite emotions, even more now that I am older. I wrote about the joy of anticipation early on in my blogging days. One thing I mentioned, which I still do regularly, is pre-order books or put them on hold at the library before their publication date, enjoying the excitement of knowing something good is coming my way. Mind you I am also impatient, and don’t want to wait forever once a book has been released. There are still 68 holds ahead of me at the library on the book, Heart the Lover by Lily King - so I will be purchasing the book!
Do please leave a comment about your love of books! I know many of us are avid readers who have a special relationship with books, so I am not the only one who would appreciate your comments.
