Blooming With Books
I LOVE books! Love them! I love the way they look, filling shelves or in stacks strewn about. I love the way they smell, old and new. When I walk into a book store or library I inhale deeply and exhale smiling. I love the way it feels to hold them, turn their pages, meet the people in them, go to the places they go, and read the words that tell me their story. I love to look at beautiful illustrations and I love to have my interest, imagination and emotions stirred by them over and over again. I don't think I can fully explain the pleasure I receive from books, but I completely agree with Stephen King that they are "a uniquely portable magic."
I consider myself very fortunate that I was read to as a child and that my love of books began very early. I have very fond memories visiting the library with my dad, gathering up as many books as my little arms would carry, and going to bookstores with my mom, creating collections of my own, many of which I still have today. Books make a home. I have a huge bookcase in my living room that my dad and I built years ago. I cherish it. Everything on it represents part of my story, our family's story. We even put our handprints on it. It's marvelous. I have shelves full of books in my bloom room, on my nightstand in my bedroom, and my kids have books lining their shelves as well. They all spark memories of moments together or alone enjoying them. Some of my dearest recollections are reading with my children, which began when they were babies. I always kept a basket of board books next to the rocker in their room so we could easily grab one when we sat down together. Giving a little basket of books to an expectant mom is one of my favorite gifts to give and they always love it. I went searching for a few photos I remembered snapping of my boys with their books. Sweet moments captured. The one I couldn't find was of Colin (below) surrounded by his stuffed animals reading to them. Absolutely adorable.
"There are many ways to enlarge your child's world.
Love of books is the best of all."
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis
"My father always said, 'never trust anyone whose TV is bigger than their bookshelf.'"
Emilia Clarke
I encourage everyone, especially kids, to read and nurture a love of books that will not only open worlds and enliven curiosity, but instill greater compassion and empathy from learning about others and their experiences. Working at a junior high school, I'm witnessing firsthand the decline of literacy and the regular use of books and the joy that can be found in reading them. When I have the opportunity to read to a group of kids (which I love to do), and I see them go from bored to beguiled - Okay, maybe not exactly beguiled, but engaged and interested - it's the absolute best feeling. I can't say it enough; books are splendid, not to mention one of the most accessible ways to bloom where you're planted and grow through life, not just go through life.
"Education starts with the mastery of the most fundamental skill - the ability to read. Literacy is the foundation of every student's learning journey and future success. Of equal importance, reading can bring immense joy to life."
Laura Stewart
"Books and reading connect people, spark endless curiosity and offer comfort during hard times."
Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
I've begun a new project called Blooming With Books. I'm sharing, reading and quoting books of all kinds on social media and YouTube. I have so many books that I've gathered over the years and I can't wait to share them with you, including fun holiday books for this wonderful time of year. I hope you'll join me and together we can keep blooming...with books.
What books have influenced you the most and why?
Drop me a note. I'd love to know.
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