I don’t remember a time when I wasn’t surrounded by books. My first bedroom included a white-and-gold bedroom set with a desk and hutch along with a free-standing, matching book shelf. I kept it full of books, and one of my favorite elementary school memories is walking down rows of long tables set up in the gymnasium when the Scholastic Book Fair arrived.
Earlier, we had been given small catalogs of books for our grade-level, which we took home to our parents. Together, we checked the boxes on the ones that we wanted to order, and our parents slipped a check into the built-in envelope. Then, the day came when all the books were assembled and set out in piles to be picked up.
As I walked down the aisle looking for my pile (usually among the tallest!), I was so excited to feel the new, smooth covers and smell the paper fresh from the printer. Fortunately for me, my parents didn’t hesitate to provide books throughout my childhood. From trips to the library and bookstores, to Christmases and birthdays, my love for reading was honed and fully supported.
I’m currently less than a mile from a relatively new bookstore here called The Archive. While I love that I can visit regularly when walking Poppy, it’s also a bit troublesome. Each time I go, I find another book to add to my collection. My TBR (to be read) pile is now probably the tallest it’s ever been, and I just purchased a new bookshelf to better accommodate them.
My goal is to read a book a week, with work and travel allowing me some flexibility. I also started a new reading journal, which will allow me to track and remember the ones I really enjoy. The Archive posted Zodiac Signs for Reading Resolutions this week, which couldn’t be closer to the truth. As a Gemini, I currently have three books going, and once I finish these I will follow their advice and go with “depth not distraction.” As eager as I am to jump into the many new titles on my shelf, I know I should slow down and savor the stories and writing. Quality over quantity; more isn’t always better!