Photo by Klim Sergeev on Unsplash
I don’t think I ever finished a book by reading with a flashlight under a cover, but I might have if I’d had a flashlight with batteries that lasted. When I was a kid, flashlights were more luxury than something on every shelf. Most of the time the one we did have seemed to always be lacking batteries and if they did have fresh batteries we were warned not to waste them. So a candle was often our flashlight in the dark. Can’t be reading under the covers with a candle. But I certainly read as much as I could before the lights were turned off.
Now as an adult I often sit up way too late reading just one more chapter. Some authors are expert at somehow ending one chapter with the words that just make you have to read that next chapter too. I’m always very complimented when a reader says one of my books has caused them to miss a little sleep.
“That I can read and be happy while I am reading, is a great blessing.” ―
I have a couple of bookcases and obviously need more since I also have books stacked here and there and piled on those bookshelves in a far from neat way. I shouldn’t show you how messy I am, but I just have so many books I want to keep in case I suddenly have several extra hours every day to read. And then some of the books were just so fine that I want to keep them forever. You may notice that black furry guard at the bottom. The bottom of that bookshelf is one of Frankie’s favorite places to lay. You might also notice that the top shelf where I have my books is a bit neater. 
“The odd thing about people who had many books was how they always wanted more.” ― The Bell at Sealey Head
And I do love libraries too. I just listened to an audio book, Because of Winn Dixie, I borrowed from the library through Libby. What a gift to have libraries in our towns to make books available to any who what to take advantage of that blessing. The book I’m editing that will be out next summer centers around what a library can mean to a community that has never had books available to them.
“Libraries will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no libraries.” ―
I owe a lot to libraries. Without all my trips to the library, I don’t think I would have been able to write the books I have written. I’ve absorbed words from books I’ve read. I’ve researched historical events. I’ve searched through the book stacks and found inspiration. The books I’ve read have been seeds in my imagination to sprout new ideas for my own stories.
“Cram your head with characters and stories. Abuse your library privileges. Never stop looking at the world, and never stop reading to find out what sense other people have made of it. If people give you a hard time and tell you to get your nose out of a book, tell them you’re working. Tell them it’s research. Tell them to pipe down and leave you alone.” ―
I totally agree with Jennifer Weiner’s quote. Everything I read is research in a way. All those classics I read while in high school fed words into my head and the vision of how they were used to bring stories to life. My dad many times used to tell me to get my nose out of a book, but I never did for long. While I would have never told him to pipe down and leave me alone, I simply did whatever chores I might have been neglecting and then stuck my nose in my book again.
“Books aren’t interested in who is reading them… A book will welcome any reader; any age, any background, any point of view. Books don’t care if you can’t understand every word in them, or if you want to skip bits or reread bits. Books welcome everyone who wants to explore them, and thankfully no one has ever worked out a way to stop that.”
― Tilly and the Lost Fairytales
Books are there for everyone. Books are easy to buy online, in bookstores, in the corner drugstore or grocery. I met a man at a book signing once who embraced the title of book lover. He said he had books in his kitchen cabinets because he’d rather have books than food. Books do welcome any and all readers. Books don’t care if we don’t know how to pronounce words. We can still read them. We can still get the meaning for them from reading the words around them. And then we do have dictionaries. Books don’t discriminate. Any reader is welcomed into the book’s pages.
I’m happy when a reader decides to accept the invitation of my books with their lovely covers and decides to give my stories a try. If I could talk for my books at that moment, I’d tell those readers, “Welcome. Come on in and start down my story trail.” I’d be glad they entered my story world, and I’d hope they would stay awhile. Then if the clock said bedtime and they needed to read just one more chapter, I would know I’d done my job.
“Life is just a series of obstacles preventing you from reading your book.” ―
Do you have a stuffed bookcase or a towering “to be read” pile? If so, what’s next up for you to read?
Comments 23
I have many bookcases of books. Next on my TBR pile is The Black Midnight. Thank you for sharing.
Blessings,
Author
Hope you enjoy your next read, Lucy. Always happy to have you stop by here to join the conversation.
Before I moved to my condo I had a room in my basement which had two walls full of books but here there is no room but still have a book case full. Have nearly the whole collection of Catherine Cookson books. Couldn’t part with them as they are so good I could read them again sometime. I have a few books now of yours and plan to read The Applacian Summer next as soon as I finish the large book I am reading now. As kids my brother and I would read comics with the flashlight. Love your books, have read many of them from my church library. Keep writing. Blessings. Marjorie
Author
Thank you, Marjorie, for having my book An Appalachian Summer on your reading list. I’m glad too that your church library has my books. I’m always happy to hear that my books are on a shelf in some library. Well, I guess I’m happiest when there is a spot on a library shelf for my books but the books have all been checked out. 🙂 It is sweet to save favorite books although I rarely read a book twice. I have too many different ones I want to read.
I have loved books and libraries all my life! I am currently employed as a library page and it is wonderful! While I’m shelving, I’m always coming across such interesting books and I just have to stop and read awhile! I especially love historical fiction and nonfiction. I have many books at home and am planning on getting a new bookshelf soon!
Author
I hope you fill your new bookshelf with some treasured books that you enjoy reading, Lauren. I love libraries too and am so grateful that most Americans do have a library where they can find books and information.
I’m really glad you enjoy historical fiction, since I do too. But then I enjoy most any book that shares a good story.
My bookshelves look very much like yours minus the area for a dog. 😊 Since the pandemic my reading has been in spurts. I read a set of 4 books that my sister sent me that I highly recommend and since then I’ve been taking a break. My next in line is one of yours: The Innocent, followed by The Refuge. Then I have a friend who just had her third book published that I’ve had since January. I do need to get busy!!! Stay well! 🙏🏻
Author
You do have a line up of books to get to, Karen. I’m sure your friend is happy that you are reading her books. I know I’m happy you want to read my stories.
I thought the dog dressed up the picture. That book shelf wouldn’t be so bad if I didn’t have stacks of books in other places too. I do need to give some books away. I hope you stay well too. It doesn’t appear this virus wants to go away. Prayers that it will soon.
I have always loved books and loved to read. My 21 years as an employee at our local library was the perfect job for me! So much to learn ; dewey decimal system , location of every genre of books etc . Part of my work was to help people find items and also to be sure things were shelved correctly. I always enjoyed walking through Christian Fiction and seeing your books Ann; you were my friend on the shelf !! I became friends with many of our patrons and my co-workers were like family. I was blessed in so many ways during my time at the library and learned how to deal with many different situations and people. I know the Lord placed me exactly where I needed to be at just the right time . ” For I know the plans I have for you ” declares the Lord.
Author
What fun, Nancy. I always thought if I didn’t want to write stories that a job at a library or a bookstore would be the best next thing. So you may have seen the library go from card catalogs to everything digital or perhaps that started even before you were working at the library. I sort of miss those little drawers of cards. 🙂
I’m so glad I could be a shelf friend through my stories. I hope I have many friends in libraries. I did have a wonderful librarian who helped me tremendously when I first began writing historical fiction back when I did have to find my reference books on those little cards. But then that first book came out long before you were working in a library. Back in 1978.
I have two rooms that have wall to wall to ceiling book shelves on one wall each room. Also have a barrister book case and two stand alone bookcases, also baskets full of to read books, can you tell I love books. I just rearranged one yesterday as I place them by author. needless to say your books are front and center. Today I ordered five more from Alibris to add to my stack. I could talk about books forever, they are my best friends, oh I do have real breathing friends also.
Author
I hope those breathing friends like books too so that you can have fun talking books with you. I’m trying not to be envious of your wall to wall to ceiling bookshelves. And a barrister bookcase and… Well, you do have a great way to keep those books you want to keep, and I’m very happy my books are on some of those shelves. Thank you for that, Donna Jean.
Stuffed? Yes! And we are getting ready to move so….. boxes and boxes! I love libraries, too.
Those quotes were right on!
Currently reading A Dazzle of Diamonds by Liz Johnson and Chasing Dreams by Deborah Raney.
Just finished The Shopkeeper’s Widow by Izzy James.
And The Gentleman Spy by Erica Vetsch.
Author
Sounds like some fun reading, Paula. And good luck on your move. Boxes of books are worth the trouble, says she who has only moved once in her life. LOL.
Yes, yes I do! Next for me are three books that have recently been released. Vying for the Viscount by Kristi Ann Hunter, Love and a Little White Lie by Tammy Lynn Gray, and A Life Once Dreamed by Rachel Fordham. I also have tomatoes to can and green beans to pick!
Author
Sounds like your garden is doing well. While you’re working on that garden produce is when you need to listen to an audio book. I always thought it made the work go better when I was listening to someone read me a story. And now with phones and wireless earphones, audio books have become so much easier. Thanks for your reading list. Sounds like some good stories. Enjoy.
Enjoyed reading this post with all the quotes. I agree with all of them! And here is one more: “One never has too many books, just not enough bookcases”.
Author
That is so true, Fern, or maybe not enough wall space for enough bookcases. I’ve always admired those houses I sometimes see in movies with the big libraries. But on the other hand, walls of bookcases would surely be good insulation, don’t you think?
I finally started giving books away but still have shelves stacked full.
Author
So many books. So little time to read them all, Diana. I need to gather up a box or two of books and send them somewhere. Maybe I could do more grab bag giveaways to let my too many books become someone else’s too many book. 🙂
My husband enjoys reading too, but he’s a “neatnik”, so he is appalled by my library of books. I have several bookcases filled with books, and the overflow books are in plastic tubs labeled with the letters of the alphabet signaling the first letter of the authors’ last names. Well, most of the overflow books are in tubs; some are stacked on my headboard in a TBR first pile or several piles. Once I finish a book, I usually share it with friends before I donate it to the library used book store, take it to Half Price Books, or give it to someone.
Author
I think you sound pretty organized with your books sorted by alphabet, Suzanne. Sometimes we just need more shelves, right? And I do need to gather up some books and find a way to pass them on. Used books don’t earn money for the author except by hopefully finding them some new readers. But I would rather my books were out there in the world of readers than in the trash. So I’m happy when people pass my books on.