Books, Books, and More Books
Photo by Tom Hermans on Unsplash
I looked around my house this week and what do I see? Books, books, and more books. But then what else? I’m a writer and a reader.
What surprised me was the variety in each room. In the kitchen I have my devotional reading by Richard Rohr, the bible, and a new journal for 2018.
The coffee table in my living room holds a coloring book and colored pencils that I pick up and indulge in while I watch the evening news, two books on the Enneagram (I’m very focused on that study right now) and a book on writing, Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg (new update edition). I’ve read it before and am learning from it all over again.
My bedroom night stand holds my Kindle loaded with books I’ve read and some waiting to read, and two paperback cozy mysteries by Kitty French–good turn-to books just before dropping off to sleep.
And there’s my office–filled with how-to books of every kind on writing, all of which I’ve acquired over the years of my 40+ year career. Of course there are plenty of copies of the books I’ve written, as well.
All in all I’m rich in literature, rich in words, rich in readers like you. What a grand thing it is to write and read.
How about you? Are you writing for fun, for publication, for self-expression? Or for some other reason? And what do you like to read? What kind of books draw you? I’d love to hear how books and what kind of books inform your life.
“You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.”
C.S. Lewis
Karen, you and I share so much in common. I love to read. Love to write and love to paint. I’m eading, “Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus” once again, by Nabeel Qureshi, who died in November at 34 years old, sad to say. I loved his book, “No God But One” that compares Islam and Christianity point by point. You know I love writing and blogging too. Sharing through writing on my recovery brings me the most joy and hope to help others along their recovery journey also. Love the C.S. Lewis quote and totally agree. love, Heidi— oh, and I love you, too!!!
I enjoyed hearing about the books you love, Heidi. We have similar thirst for spiritual growth. Love you too.
Thank you, Heidi. It’s great to hear about the books you’re reading and that you’re enjoying blogging about recovery. All of your messages are timely and helpful. And I love you too! 🙂
Funny that I read this soon after a friend of mine took a series of 25 nystery books from my bookcase in my bedroom to mail to her sister, who is turn loans them to her neighbor, who gives them to her daughter, she gives them to HER neighbor and on and on it goes. I love Christian mysteries that I buy thru Guideposts! They need to be read in order. The myteries are so different and I can hardly put one down until I finish it. My friend subscribes to books in series and we exchange. One of my favotite books is one by Billy Graham about angels. He writes about Angels from the Biblical standpoint. Also his book “Nearing Home”! I could go on an on about my books! YOURS included!! I would be lost without them. Our bookcases in the living room and our bedrooms are running over from the old classics to humor.> I am almost finished writing my book about my life and “The Houses Where I Lived” . I moved a lot, being a minister’s daughter and in those early days we moved about every four years and I loved all the houses and describe them. I am writing for my grandchildren to know what it was like living during the Great Depression and during WW II. ( if I have mentioned this before forgive me but I am so pleased I am on the last chapter! Now that I am 90 years old I thught it best I get to the end as I never know when God will say it is time for me to move from Planet Earth to my final House, that will not be a house built by man but a final HOME, with God! Can’t get any better than that!
Keep on writing, Karen, I love you books. Blessinigs, Margaret
So good to hear your love of reading, Margaret, and how generously you share your books with others. That is wonderful.
Hi Margaret. Thanks for sharing your interest in mysteries and how generous you were in passing them along to other readers. I like to do that too. Otherwise we get overwhelmed with volumes. Keep reading. It’s such a blessing to be able to do so.
Karen, I’ll always be grateful to you for your help and encouragement in my “reinvented” life of writing. I firmly believe that you were God sent, and that writing has given me a longer life – and certainly a more enjoyable one. I’ve been asked to write a sequel to Decent Deceit, but am procrastinating since I’ve had my 89th. birthday! But I miss the process. I wasn’t sure I’d live to finish DD, so I just may give it another try.
I’m a book gatherer also – all subjects – but mostly books on art and writing, and, of course, a collection of your books.
You have done so much to help others, so keep the inspiration coming.
God Bless.
Marie
Thanks for your lovely and welcome comments, Marie. You have inspired me as a widow and as a writer. I hope you will continue writing as long as you’re able. I plan to do the same. I will turn 80 in April so I’m not far behind you. 🙂
Thank you, Marie, for your wonderful and encouraging comment. I’m so inspired by the new life you invented as a writer. You have also inspired me as a widow. You were a guide as I made my new life without my husband.
You and are “two peas in a pod” when it comes to reading and writing. My small contribution to the print world amounted to only 7 articles. Certainly not much when compared to your stellar career of writing, editing, speaking & teaching! You’ve always been an inspiration to me- along with an endless supply of love and godly wisdom. I’m really looking forward to your next book. So many of us are hoping it isn’t your last!
Thank you, Glenda. But don’t forget while I was writing you had a full time job supporting your children. But now that you’re retired how about putting some of your ideas and thoughts to paper? I’m now writing about my life (not necessarily in the order it is happening) at my children’s request.
Thank you, Glenda. Don’t forget, while I was building my writing career you were working fulltime and supporting your family. We were both doing what God called us to do. Now that you’re retired I hope you will try your hand at writing again.
A few years ago I got a bumper sticker made that says, “Bookaholics Unite.” It’s nice to see that I’m not the only one with a house overflowing with books.
I love that bumper sticker slogan. It’s right on!
Love that bumper sticker. Perfect! Thanks for sharing, Janet.
I love what Janet wrote: Bookaholics Unite! Books are friends which God uses in a variety of ways in our lives. I’m so grateful I love books and that God would give me the joy of being a writer. Great post, Karen!
Thanks, Kathy.
Thanks, Kathy. I too, am so grateful for God’s gift of writing that he allows me to use.
Thanks, Kathy. I too, thank God for the gift of writing that he’s allowed me to use.
Karen my computer room is filled with books. I like study help books. I donated Harry’s books to a charity, that, sold them to help dogs have a good home. I think he could have won the world prize for having the most books!! Did Charles collect books like Harry Flowers did? I know how it is to have bills and reading material all over the house! My kitchen bar is a handy place to lay material that needs to be read, so it has to be sorted and put in the proper place, often.
Hi Mary. Thanks for sharing your experience of having plenty of books around your house. Charles did have a fair number of books that were important to him but periodically we combed through mine and his and gave some away to avoid being overwhelmed.
Hi Mary. Yes, Charles did collect books as I have, but from time to time we would give some away and make room for new ones. There is so much to read. Books are a real gift.