Doesn’t this look peaceful? Wouldn’t it be wonderful to sit in this room with nothing to do but to wile away the hours with a book from one of those shelves?
This library is in Lithopolis, Ohio and is well worth a visit if you’re in the area. I wrote about it once and you can read that story here.
A quiet place in a beautiful old building to just sit and think sounds so welcome right now. There are some days when it feels like I have no quiet at all.
One of these days, maybe I will leave my phone in the car and sit here for a morning to just read and think. How luxurious!
This spring has found me in a reading slump. I’m usually pretty good at snapping out of it but I just can’t seem to quiet my mind enough to focus or enjoy anything.
I respond well to a good challenge so I have been working on my own for the last couple of weeks and thought I would share it with you:
1. A book you’ve been meaning to read for a while.
2. A book you chose for the cover.
3. A children’s or middle grade book.
4. An audio book (you can find some great stuff on YouTube for free)
5. A book that won an award.
6. A book recommended by a friend.
7. Reread a classic that you read in school.
8. A genre that’s outside your norm.
What are you reading? I could use some inspiration and you might be able to help me with number six!
They say you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover but I’m not above buying a book specifically for its cover. This is especially true when the book is an antique because I have found some beautifully done antique and vintage covers that are just too pretty to leave behind.
In today’s digital world, it’s challenging to find a book that looks and feels like a piece of art. One exception is my pal Eilene’s book Fortune’s Frenzy with a captivating cover and title. Read about it here.
This copy of Wanderer of the Wasteland took me by surprise while browsing the section Half Price Books calls rare and collectible.
Written by Zanesville, Ohio native Zane Grey, this book has a gorgeous cover but the spine is what caught my attention. It is uncommon to see a spine with hyphenated words. They easily could have made the font smaller or rotated the words so it feels like sort of a mystery.
This book once had a dust jacket but, for three bucks, I could hardly complain about the missing jacket.
This first edition was printed in 1923 when Grey was about 51 years old. In case you don’t know, Zane Grey was a prolific writer in the Western and Adventure genres. He even wrote nonfiction books on fishing and baseball.
He was one of the first writers to become a millionaire and was said to be a favorite author of President Eisenhower. Here’s a story about that.
Throughout his prolific career, Zane Grey wrote over one hundred books and collections of short stories, some of which were adapted by Hollywood. He even formed his own motion picture company to maintain control over his stories. Early television enthusiasts might recall Dick Powell’s Zane Grey Theater that ran in the mid-fifties.
But I digress.
I learned a lot about Zane Grey by visiting a museum that’s dedicated to him and to the National Road here in Ohio. Oddly enough, I didn’t really write about the Zane Grey part of the museum in this account.
I haven’t read many Zane Grey books but it’s clear that his infatuation with the old west helped to shape early 20th century views of this piece of our history – both through his books and film.
Grey himself was an interesting character. An athlete, he played baseball in college while studying dentistry. He was an outdoorsman and conservationist. The son of an abusive father, he made friends with Muddy Miser, an old man who supported Grey’s love for the written word and for fishing, a popular pastime in their river town. It’s good to know there was someone in his life who supported his love for the things that would shape him into the man he would become. If you find yourself in Zanesville, check out the restaurant named for Muddy Miser.
By the way, that river town is named for Grey’s ancestor, Revolutionary War patriot Ebenezer Zane. Lots of cool stuff where Zane Grey is concerned.
In case you’re curious, this book I bought for the cover starts out strong.
Adam Larey gazed with hard and wondering eyes down the silent current of the red river upon which he meant to drift away into the desert.
The Rio Colorado was no river to trust. It chafed at its banks as if to engulf them; muddy and thick it swirled and glided along in flood, sweeping in curves back and forth from Arizona to California shore.
They just don’t write ‘em like that anymore!
So, yeah, go ahead and judge a book by its cover. You might find a great one!
Fiction writer Kristen Hannah has somehow transitioned into the writer that everyone either loves or loves to hate. Her name frequently gets bandied about in social media book groups and I’m always shocked at how combative her haters are and how overzealous her supporters can be.
Personally, I like her more recent works but that’s not a hill I’ll die on. Meanwhile, I despise Stephen King but would never dream of going to a discussion about how great he is to rain on someone’s parade.
That’s probably bordering on unAmerican these days but, there, I said it. Discouraging others from embracing what they like isn’t my thing. I clearly don’t know how the internet works.
This has been on my mind since I finished reading Hannah’s new historic fiction book The Women earlier this month.
It’s about a young nurse who enlists in the Army to serve in Vietnam. She serves two tours before coming home a changed person with PTSD. I won’t tell you much because I don’t want to spoil the story for you but I will tell you some things that are general facts about Vietnam.
Her time in country was brutal. The hours and the devastation of endless waves of soldiers and civilians ripped limb from limb are described in this book. The horrifying and utter loss of it all was experienced by soldiers and the doctors, nurses and camp support staff there to help them.
Then, these veterans returned home to an ungrateful nation that was fighting its own war in the media and in protests across the country. They were spat upon, called unspeakable names and denied basic services. The federal government didn’t even consider these women nurses who served bravely in dangerous conditions to be veterans.
Yet, we don’t talk about these things enough or very well. We have generations of people living in this country today who know none of this and I have witnessed plenty of them lately showing their ignorance in online conversations about this book.
They don’t believe a combat nurse would be relegated to changing bedpans and taking temperatures in hospitals back home. They don’t know that women of that era couldn’t get a bank loan without a signature from her husband or dad. They don’t understand any of it or how our activities at the ballot box today can either advance women’s rights or turn back the clock decades at a time.
They don’t understand how those women were treated or how they suffered because their own government didn’t recognize their service.
I was in a Barnes and Noble recently and found just three books about Vietnam on the shelves. There was another one about President Johnson’s mucking up of the war but it really was about the man and his strategies rather than the people fighting under his leadership. Three books.
The section on feminism and women’s issues was pretty scrawny too.
It was downright sad.
Kristen Hannah has written some good books and some not-so-good books throughout her career. In this book, I found a couple of mistakes that should be attributed to her editors. The book stretches on a little too long. It’s like she got stuck in a loop and got herself lost on the way to the end. The main character isn’t the most likable.
But I’m happy to recommend this book and am glad that it exists. After all, with her enormous bestselling reputation, she has a platform to reach a breathtaking amount of people.
This story needs told and it needs heard. We still have plenty of Vietnam veterans living in this country today who deserve our sincere thanks and apologies and who might find some small comfort in knowing that history will judge them differently than their peers did.
When you read this book, check out the list of recommended reading in the back. Not a fan of fiction writing? Ken Burns did a fantastic documentary about Vietnam you might want to check out.
Yes, there are more and probably better ways to learn about Vietnam. This is one avenue and a darn good one if you want to learn the human side of war. The Women is available for purchase in hardback and audiobook right now. Your local library probably has a copy too. Give it a chance!
Last year was not a banner year for reading as my commitment ebbed and flowed rather unpredictably. Sometimes I read voraciously, carrying a book everywhere and sneaking in a few pages whenever possible. Other times anything more insightful than a Little Golden Book seemed like too much effort.
I started and tossed aside more books in 2023 than ever before and my final tally was just 54 books – well short of my annual goal of 100. Luckily, there were a few that rose to the top.
Here are my top five fiction from 2023:
Your Second Life Begins When You Realize You Have One by Raphaelle Giordano – I won’t lie. I bought this book because I liked the cover and the title was intriguing. Imagine my surprise when this #1 French bestseller from 2018 grabbed me by the hand and wouldn’t let go. It’s a novel that doubles as a sort of self help book that’s Inspiring and fun to read. It tells the story of a woman who has a seemingly wonderful life but who still isn’t happy. She meets a routinologist who offers to help her find her joy and so begins a journey that we all should be fortunate to take.
The Secret Book Of Flora Lea by Patti Callahan Henry – This was a Book of the Month pick that also drew me in quickly and held my attention. It’s about two girls who evacuate their war torn home in 1939 London and find themselves in the English countryside. The older sister distracts the younger one by making up games and stories about a magical land called Whisperwood. All was well until one day the younger sister disappeared. Years later, a book surfaces that tells the story of Whisperwood, a story that only those two girls knew. A quest follows as the mystery unfolds.
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt – This is one of the single best pieces of contemporary fiction I have read in some time. Using multiple viewpoints, the author weaves together a mystery involving some unlikely characters including Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus who lives in an aquarium. The story is terrific with outstanding characters but I was particularly fond of Marcellus who is witty, smart and charming.
The River We Remember by William Kent Krueger – I have written about this author before including the day I acted like a giddy school girl when I met him at the West Virginia Book Festival. This book is rare because I literally did not want to put it down but I badly wanted to hit the brakes and savor every word. Beginning with a small town Memorial Day parade in 1958, this book enlists a believable cast of characters to tell the story of a series of crimes. It’s set in Black Earth County, Minnesota where the scenery and the atmosphere of the time and place become almost like another character. Lovely, lovely, lovely storytelling. This is a must read. And while you’re at it, pick up This Tender Land, another book of his which is one of my all time favorites.
Wayward by Emilia Hart – I found this wonderful book because of the Book of the Month Club. It tells the story of three generations of women – one in 2019 who is fleeing an abuser, another in 1942 who wishes for the same rights and luxuries as her brother, and the third is an accused witch in 1619. The thread that holds them together is Weyward Cottage where they all live. This is a story of resilience and hope. It’s well told and creative. I hadn’t read anything quite like it and found myself awake well into the night more than once because I couldn’t sleep without reading “just one more chapter.”
Here are my top five nonfiction from 2023:
Winter’s Song: A Hymn To The North by TD Mischke – This book will be part of my winter repertoire for years to come. In fact, I expect to reread it as soon as the snow flies. The author somehow managed to encapsulate all the reasons why winter is an amazing season. Winter’s charm comes in the darkest, coldest, snowiest days when staying home and being cozy is the very best use of life. “I’ve come to view the darkness as a real gift because of the way it presents me with an opportunity for contemplation. It’s as though winter is giving me this chance to just be, rather than do,” is a passage from my favorite chapter in this book of many great thoughts. If you enjoy winter, this book is for you. If you hate winter, this book makes a case for the reasons why others enjoy it and maybe you should give it a chance too.
Travels With Charley In Search Of America by John Steinbeck – Steinbeck first published this book in 1961. It’s a collection of essays about his road trip across the country with his dog Charley. He special ordered a three quarter ton pick up truck capable of going anywhere. He had it fitted with a custom camper top with a double bed, chemical toilet, fridge, butane heat and storage space galore. He named it Rocinante after Don Quixote’s horse. His objective was to be incognito as he explored America and got to know the nation again. He met some characters along the way, experienced a crisis or two and learned a lot. It sounds like an epic road trip and tagging along was a lot of fun.
Democracy Awakening: Notes On The State Of America by Heather Cox Richardson – This author is a history professor at Boston College and an expert on American political and economic history. In 2019, she began writing a newsletter called Letters From An American where she writes about the news of the day, connecting the past with the present and exploring the consequences of our events and actions today. She explores how today’s political crisis began in the 1930s and then traces the roots of those events to a century before that. This is a fascinating read but one that was hard to stomach. Did you know that in 1939, the Nazi party had gained such footing in America they had a rally in Madison Square Garden? It was to celebrate George Washington’s birthday and attracted about 20,000 people for a “true Americanism” event. Oh, the things we don’t teach in history class in the name of making our country sound better than it is.
A Fever In The Heartland by Timothy Egan – Along the same lines, Egan tells the riveting story of the Ku Klux Klan’s plot to take over America. For all you Hoosiers out there, you may be disappointed to know that the core of these events took place in Indiana. That’s right. The Klan had a major foothold in small towns across the north and midwest and Indiana was the model for how to build membership. All but two of Inciana’s 92 counties had a chapter. Women had a kind of auxiliary organization and children had their own as well. They were bigger than the Freemasons and the Elks. They owned cops, judges, ministers, mayors and even the governor. Their recruiting techniques read like a modern political playbook for how to divide and conquer and cultivate an environment of intolerance and hate. Another hard read but worth the effort. Just buckle up because it’s a bumpy ride.
One Writer’s Beginnings by Eudora Welty – This memoir was a literal breath of fresh air after reading the last two. Her story is rooted in simpler times but is somehow timeless as well. She relates lessons learned through her parents and interactions in the small world of a child. The language is simple but rich and the stories are short but meaningful. It’s a small book that packs a wallop if you’re an aspiring writer or simply a curious person.
Are you a reader? I suspect you are if you’re still reading this. What books can you recommend? The shelves of books waiting for me to read them are nearing an out of control status but I’m convinced there’s always room for one more!
When I was a very small tot, my mother developed a habit that would help shape me into who I am today. When we went to the grocery store every Thursday, our first stop was the spinning rack of Little Golden Books.
The Little Golden Book was a hit from the time it premiered in the forties. Inexpensive to produce, these hardbound books were durable in the hands of small children who played a little rough with their things. At the price of .25 per book, each colorfully illustrated volume told the story of adorable critters like the Pokey Little Puppy and Three Little Kittens.
By the time I came along in the late seventies, the average cost of these books was .59. While my folks didn’t have a lot of money, my mother never failed to budget for a book every week.
So, she would put me in a cart at the Kroger store in Wellston and wheel me straight to the spinning rack of golden spined books. Here we would choose something new from the selection of books about Sesame Street characters, Disney stories and all sorts of delightful little animals with exciting tales to share.
I couldn’t read yet but I do remember being excited about all the bright, pretty pictures. And I would study the book, flipping through the pages while she shopped. I was too engrossed in my new treasure to even notice the aisles of snacks and cereals we passed by.
She finished her shopping without fielding requests for things off budget and then we went home where she put away groceries and we sat down to read the new story.
I always treated my books carefully and with respect, often imposing on anyone that would read to me. I think a few of my older cousins were taken aback when I would plop down an entire stack – as many as my small arms could hold – with the expectation we could read them all.
At one time, I had dozens of those books that eventually got sold at a yard sale. I can’t believe we sold them. They were such an important part of my childhood that it seems crazy I let them go.
Sometimes I pick up vintage copies at antique malls and used bookstores. Here’s a rack of vintage Little Goldens at the Heart of Ohio Antique Mall.
I have several from my childhood and a bunch that predate me. The mid century artwork is superb and there are a couple of artists that rise above the others as favorites. Corinne Malvern is one of those favorites. There’s something soft and fanciful but realistic about her work.
Yup. I’m still looking at the pictures.
Occasionally you’ll still see a spinning rack of Little Goldens but, more often than not, they’re just on a shelf next to fifty other kids books and that makes me sad. Today the average retail price is $4.99 – still more affordable than most children’s books today.
I nearly always stop to see if there’s something I want for my collection or something that might fuel my sense of nostalgia.
As I look around stores today, parents aren’t buying their kids books. If they want to hold their attention in a store, the kids are given a phone to watch cartoons and play games. A modern day version of my mother’s distraction techniques, I guess. Just maybe not as enriching or as productive as teaching them to love reading.
My favorites often involved little woodland creatures, cats or travel. Shocking, I know. Evidently. my tastes were pretty much defined as a three year old in a grocery store shopping cart. These stories encouraged tolerance for others like when a lot of little creatures tried to live together and discovered they all had different food and shelter needs in The Very Best Home For Me.
Here’s a peek inside.
A few books introduced the idea of traveling to far off lands in such an exciting way I wanted to pack my little red Going To Grandma’s suitcase and strike off on a train or plane journey.
I learned a lot from those books and discovered a lifelong desire to collect and read books. As an only child, books were always a great gift. Part time machine and part magic carpet, they could transport me to anyplace I wished to go and continue to do so today.
There’s still nothing more satisfying than curling up in bed with a good book unless it’s being out scouring bookshelves for something new to try.
Now, the woman who taught me to love and collect books likes to frown when she asks how many more books I intend to buy. Ha, ha! My poor mother is convinced the floor of my house will someday collapse under the weight of my collection. Honestly, I worry more that I will someday stack my to be read pile too high and be crushed under the weight when it falls.
But what a way to go, right?
If you have kids, buy them books that they can read and reread and call their very own. And if you can’t afford to do that, take them to the library where they’ll find an entire new universe at their fingertips for absolutely no cost. And for yourself, find a book that sounds interesting, put down your phone and venture into the land of great storytelling. If you can read, you’ll never be bored or lonely. It’s the greatest gift you can give another person and yourself.
