If you have read our blog for very long you know that we have a few things that we LOVE to talk about: MY kids, ALL OF OUR pets and books. We have a passion for books that can sometimes be referred to as an addiction.  I feel like that is a little harsh considering the fact that we are reading mostly quality books.  I say mostly because we all make mistakes sometimes. It has recently been brought to my attention that my “problem” is taking up quite a bit of space in the basement. We are getting ready to remodel the basement so I set out to rectify this minor issue.

Purging books is difficult for me.  It’s like giving a piece of myself away each time I throw one into a box.  Each book takes me back to a certain time and space. These books often represent special moments.  For example, I remember vividly reading Rosamunde Pilcher’s book, “The Shell Seekers” when my oldest was napping as an infant.  I used to pull a kitchen chair up to the front window of my house so I could sit in the sun and read.  We didn’t have any furniture in our living room and it was the brightest, warmest spot in the house. It kept me within ear-shot if Alex woke up, but also allowed me an escape into another world.  How does one just throw these memories in a box and leave them at their local Goodwill?

In the end, I was able to practice some tough love on myself and these are the books that are being donated.

I know it looks like a lot, but we are a family of five and we have been making this pile, along with the shelves of books that I am keeping, for over 25 years.   Aside from the children’s books, which don’t count, because “hello kids need to be read to,” they are mostly mine.  Interestingly enough, there were a lot of old AP Literature books from my girls and BONUS:  I haven’t read all of them.  When you are my age it really gives the “summer reading” list a whole new meaning. In fact, I can’t wait to dive into that “keep” pile.

Meanwhile, my 16-year-old is lamenting the fact that she has to read two books over the summer. I told her I would read them with her because I’m selfless like that.

This exercise in purging did give me an idea though.  I am thinking about keeping a list or journal of some kind with all of the books I have read. I could put a note beside each book reminding me what was happening in my life while I was reading it.  It pains me to say this, but maybe my high school English teacher was onto something when she kept notecards of every book she read with a small summary.

Nah, I am sure this is totally different!

This weekend, find one of your favorite books and reflect on when you read it.  How old were you?  What was happening in your life?  I think I am going to take a trip down memory lane with good ‘ol Rosamunde Pilcher.

Sunshine & Sarcasm,
Lowi & G