A book is a dream that you hold in your hand. – Neil Gaiman
While this quote is really speaking of readers when they pick a book to read, I can make it mine in a different way. Each time I have the blessing of holding one of my stories wrapped up in a beautiful cover with my words spread on every page inside that cover, I feel a dream has come true for me. I started dreaming of writing books many years ago when I was only a kid. Sometimes I’m amazed at how I have been able to live that dream.
Along a Storied Trail isn’t my first published book. If my count is right, it’s my thirty-fifth. You wouldn’t think I’d have to count that up, but I always do. So, thirty-five times a box of books has landed on my doorstep. Thirty-five times I’ve had the excitement of tearing into that box to pull out my story turned into a book that readers like you can pick up and read.
That’s my hope anyway – that this book will go out into the world and find readers. I like thinking about books as a kind of partnership between a writer and a reader. My stories come to life for me while I’m writing them, but those stories take on a fuller life when readers read my words and the story comes to life again in their imaginations.
Because I often think of the people in my stories letting me chase along with them down their story trails, the title of this new book, Along a Storied Trail, (releasing June 1) is one I love. This is a story about books, about storytelling, about riding trails up into the hills to share those books and stories.
“If a nation loses its storytellers, it loses its childhood.” —Peter Handke
This is a story of women on horseback taking books to people who became so excited about the prospect of having a book or magazine to read that they would celebrate the sight of the “book woman” riding up the trail toward their cabins or schools. They would beg for a book, any book, because they had a hunger for stories or books about the world beyond their mountain homes. But they also loved the scrapbooks the packhorse librarians made with their own recipes, quilt patterns or stories they were ready to share with one another.
Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book. – Author Unknown
Books matter. Stories matter. At least they always have to me. And as this graphic shows, I let Tansy, my packhorse librarian feel the same.
I’m so excited about my book releasing in a couple of weeks. To celebrate actually having the book in my hand, I’m going to give you a chance to hold the book in your hand. I’ll pick one winner of this book or if you’d rather, you can pick one of my other books. All you have to do is leave a comment and be at least 18 years old to enter. Deadline to enter will be May 22, 2021 at midnight EST.
Do you think books and stories matter?
Tell me the facts and I’ll learn. Tell me the truth and I’ll believe. But tell me a story and it will live in my heart forever. – Native American Proverb
Comments 66
Books and stories matter so much. Almost everyone enjoys listening or reading a good story. From childhood on up until now, I’m so glad I could always read another book.
Author
I’ve always been blessed to have access to stories too, Connie. Usually through a library. I own more books now and I’m in that spot of so many books I want to read and not enough time to read all of them since I do like writing stories too. When I do have free time, I do pick up a book instead of watching television. After I get my current work in progress written, I want to take a reading vacation. That’s not a vacation from reading, but vacation to do nothing but read. On a beach might be nice too. 🙂
Congratulations! Sounds wonderful. All stories matter.
Author
Sometimes people ask me what I want readers to get out of my books, Lucy. I do hope they will be glad they picked up one of my books and like you, think it mattered as it entertained them.
Congratulations on your new book! I can’t wait to read the story.
Author
Thank you, Melissa. I’m looking forward to people getting to read the story and really hoping they’ll enjoy my story people.
Stories do matter! There is nothing quite like losing yourself in a good story whether that be through pages in a book or words spoken by someone telling a story! Congrats on the new book!
Author
I love reading a good book, Autumn, but I also love oral storytelling. I hope to someday go to the National Storytelling Festival in NC (I think.) I guess if I ever hope to go I’d better find out more about where it is.
It is a pleasure to be carried away in a story for a little while.
I’m looking forward to reading this new book. Love reading about book librarians.
Author
It was fun researching about the packhorse librarians, Ola. They were such dedicated workers riding those rough trails through all sorts of weather to get books to people. I hope you’ll enjoy my story when you get a chance to read it.
Congratulations, Ann! Stories are so important as they are a unique way to convey truth.
Author
Jesus taught us that through the stories He told His followers, Caryl. We do sometimes grasp truths through story better than other ways. Plus, we have the fun of reading and taking adventures with those fictional characters.
Congratulations Ann, It is such a pretty book.To answer your question , books matter! My 5th grade teacher taught me the LOVE of reading( I already know HOW to read but she taught me to love it).I will always be grateful for that.She passed away due to cancer not so many years after that but she was a great teacher.
Author
I’m sure that teacher would be thrilled to know that she made a reading lover out of you. I’m guessing you weren’t the only student to benefit from her teaching too. Books do matter, and sometimes it matters which books we read.
The cover does have some pretty colors worked into the scene.
Stories are important because stories are about people and people matter! 💜Proverbs 25:11💜
Author
Most of us read stories because of the people in them for sure, Emily. I love it how you always find perfect Scripture references. “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” (Proverbs 25:11 KJV)
Yes, I love reading every day. Especially Christian fiction because it can help people in so many ways.
Author
Christian fiction can be so uplifting, Susanne. I think it’s good to have stories that encourage and end with hope.
Love your books!
Author
Thank you so much, Susan. That makes me happy.
Way to go Ann! Writing 35 books is quite an accomplishment! I’m so glad God equipped you & created you to write stories! Yes, stories matter especially when they are based on biblical values & truths! They really encourage my heart! Blessings, Betsy
Author
I’m glad you enjoy inspirational fiction, Betsy. There are so many good writers writing Christian stories these days. I think 35 books is pretty good for a country girl like me, but I have to admit that many writers I know have many, many more. Some have written a hundred books. So I’m lagging behind their counts. But I’m still happy with my 35. I’ve been blessed to have sweet readers like you.
Congratulations on this most recent book! I’m eager to read it since I’ve loved all your other books that I’ve read. A character with a name as inviting as Tansy’s is arousing my curiosity and calling my name!
Author
Glad to see another fan of the name Tansy, Suzanne. I can’t remember now where I came across the name, but it might have been while I was researching about the mountain area. That sounds good anyway. Names are funny. When I’m trying to come up with new characters, the name helps me figure out what kind of person I’m going to be writing about. I had a harder struggle with Perdita Sweet’s name. The Sweet was always there, but I changed her first name a couple of times. Aunt Perdy sounded finally right.
Congratulations on this new release. I love the name Tansy. Yes, Stories linger in our hearts. I love that.
Author
Tansy did seem the perfect name for my mountain girl, Margaret. I’ve had good comments about her name. My editor really liked it. So that was good. I, too, love a story that lives on in my heart after I finish reading a book.
Congratulations on your 35th release!!! Thank you! During this past year reading books has given me an opportunity to travel to places unknown that I couldn’t otherwise because of the pandemic. Thank you, again, for your perseverance to keep those stories coming. 😊
Author
I think people have been reading during this last year, Karen. Not sure if that trend will continue now that we are sort of emerging from the shutdowns, etc. I’m certainly glad for that and hope we defeat the pandemic worldwide soon.
You’ve hit on my favorite advice word for those who ask what a writer needs and that’s perseverance. It takes plenty of that to go from typing out Chapter 1 to finally finding those important two words “the end.” I’m almost there with my current work in progress. For me it usually takes about 100,000 words to get there. Yes, perseverance.
Congratulations on another one! I’m excited to read it. I definitely know stories matter, and I feel fortunate that I get to share the joy of reading and the benefits it brings for my work.
Author
Thank you, Kayla. You have a beautiful review site. Naturally enough, I love books and reading. Often when I’m at a book event or just talking with people somewhere and they tell me they never read or that they used to read and don’t anymore, I’m always a little sad for them. I would miss so much without books to read. Thank you for sharing the joy of reading and its benefits.
I loved These Healing Hill’s, Can’t wait to read this one.
Author
I’ve had fun writing my stories set in the Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky, Sylvia. I like the mountain characters with their connection to the land and their unique expressions. Along a Storied Trail is my third book set in that area. I also had An Appalachian Summer with the Frontier Nursing history to go along with These Healing Hills. Not a sequel but same setting and history. And now I’m riding along with packhorse librarians. So many stories to find in Kentucky.
You are one of my favorite authors and I have read all of your books (i think, I’ve lost track of the number too!) I am always so glad to hear of a new release. I love your stories and they touch my heart. There’s nothing like an Ann Gabhart book filled with characters of interest, reference to spiritual things, and a love of history and culture. I also love your writing style and your story development and characters. Thanks for the good reads and I am almost sad when I reach the end, knowing that’s all for now.
Author
Wow, Amy, your comment is so very nice and encouraging. I am so glad you’ve enjoyed my stories and I appreciate your kind words about my books.
I know what you mean about being sad when you reach the end of a book you have so enjoyed reading. Sometimes it’s hard to let go of characters you’ve been living with for a while. Back when I wrote my Hollyhill stories about Jocie and her family and friends, those characters kept talking to me long after I’d written the end on Summer of Joy.
I do hope you will enjoy riding up those mountain trails with Tansy in Along a Storied Trail.
Oh, my! How glad I am your book is coming out soon! I can hardly wait to read it! Your stories are not only amazing, but they help my faith grow. I love how your love for the Lord shows through! Thank you for sharing with all of us!
Author
Thank you so much, Judi, for that encouraging comment about my stories. I do enjoy getting to include my characters’ faith journeys in with their stories. My hope is to make it a natural part of the story as is true in our lives.
I can’t wait to read your new book, Along a Storied Trail! Horses and books, what could be more wonderful?
Author
I’m so glad you’re looking forward to my new story, Mary. Horses and books did make a good combination for the packhorse librarians.
Isn’t it strange that the mountain women long for books and stroies outside of their mountain homes and we long to read books about the mountain and hill people?
Author
We all like to read about other things, Linda Diane, but I think we like to read about things we’re familiar with too. The mountain readers loved the homemade books the librarians made with local recipes and quilt patterns along with some homegrown stories too.
All my books have a Kentucky setting, so I definitely like to put some of the familiar in my stories.