Portable magic
how books transcend us...
“A book is a dream that you hold in your hands.”
What a treasure…
I opened up a book this week and saw where my grandmother had written her name inside the cover.
I have loved books for as long as I can remember. My parent’s home was filled with books, newspapers and magazines.
My parent’s bookshelf, which was a wedding present in 1948, has been in my possession for a few years now and besides the many framed photos of family that adorn its shelves, it contains many books that my parents owned….Many of the same books I remember being on those shelves as I was growing up.
Books have provided so much for me over the years. They are sources of information, guidance, therapy, and inspiration. Short stories and poetry are genres that I enjoy reading and have also inspired me as a writer.
Reading biographies and history books not only teach me about the past but they motivate me as I see how others before me have faced adversity and have overcome obstacles.
September is National Literacy Month and the American Library Association also has declared this month as Library Card Sign-up Month. So it is officially a time to encourage people of all ages to use and support your local libraries whether they are school, university, or public.
And every type of library has one thing in common - books.
As Clifford Stoll so eloquently expressed in his book, Silicon Snake Oil, books are timeless. For example, take a moment to close your eyes and picture a time capsule. Place in it the following: anything from today’s world that involves technology. When Stoll wrote his book back in 1996 that included a floppy disk, a CD, and a computer.
And then, finally, place a printed copy of your favorite book within that capsule.
Now imagine one hundred years from now someone opening that time capsule. What would they be able to view? How would they use the items?
The only item that is instantly available to view is the book. Archives around the world are filled with books and paper documents dating back hundreds of years and fortunately for us, we can see and enjoy those items and everything expressed within them.
Just as I can walk over to my parent’s bookshelf and pick up a book my grandmother read, you can view and enjoy books anywhere they are displayed and offered.
The only thing more precious than the books themselves are the people we share them with…Some of my favorite memories involve books being read aloud. I still remember when my mother read stories to me before bedtime.
And many years later, I hope I transferred that same love of reading picture books through my career as a school librarian and, of course, as a mother reading to my son.
As author Roxanne Gay once said, "Salvation is certainly among the reasons I read. Reading and writing have always pulled me out of the darkest experiences in my life. Stories have given me a place in which to lose myself. They have allowed me to remember. They have allowed me to forget. They have allowed me to imagine different endings and better possible worlds."
So the world is at your fingertips….and all you have to do is open up a book and begin reading…
What a treasure….
What do you think?
My support comes from my subscribers and I really appreciate it. If you enjoy what the Kindness Boomerang newsletter provides, please feel free to share this link on your social media. Subscriptions can be either free or paid. It’s a simple process of sharing your email address. Thanks for your support!
For information about why I started this newsletter, please go to the about section.
Tranquil Moments…
I asked my niece, Jennifer Malphy, if she could share some of her nature photos with my newsletter audience. Each week I will feature a new photo. Here is this week’s:
This week’s Smile video…
As part of our continuing series “On the Road,” Steve Hartman meets Kathy Rackley who had a chance encounter with Malcolm Mitchell at a Barnes & Noble. She had no idea he was a star football player for the University of Georgia Bulldogs when she told him about her book club. And she had no idea what would happen next.
#believe #smilevideos #spreadkindnessandlove
Thoughts to ponder…
If you're looking for reading advice from famous authors, here are some insights from well-known writers:
1. **Stephen King**: "Read, read, read. If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write." King emphasizes the importance of reading widely and consistently, suggesting that immersing yourself in a variety of genres and styles sharpens your own writing skills.
2. **George R.R. Martin**: "A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one." Martin highlights the idea that reading expands your horizons, allowing you to experience different perspectives, times, and worlds.
3. **Virginia Woolf**: "Read a thousand books and your words will flow like a river." Woolf suggests that the more you read, the more naturally and richly you will be able to express yourself.
4. **Harper Lee**: "Until I feared I would lose it, I never loved to read. One does not love breathing." For Lee, reading is a natural and essential part of life, something to be treasured and nurtured.
5. **Ray Bradbury**: "You don’t have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them." Bradbury underscores the cultural significance of reading, reminding us that books are crucial for the preservation and transmission of culture.
6. **J.K. Rowling**: "If you don’t like to read, you haven’t found the right book." Rowling encourages readers to keep searching for books that captivate them, as there’s something out there for everyone.
These authors stress the importance of reading not just for personal enjoyment, but for the broader development of your mind, creativity, and understanding of the world.
From All Things Books Facebook page
This week’s TED Talk
What happens when a dream you've held since childhood doesn't come true? As Lisa Bu adjusted to a new life in the United States, she turned to books to expand her mind and create a new path for herself. She shares her unique approach to reading in this lovely, personal talk about the magic of books.
What I am reading…
This week I revisited an autobiography I read a few years ago entitled Life is so good by George Dawson and Richard Glaubman. This book grabs you on the first page and it is hard to put it down.
The Amazon description is as follows: “One man’s extraordinary journey through the twentieth century and how he learned to read at age 98
“Things will be all right. People need to hear that. Life is good, just as it is. There isn’t anything I would change about my life.”—George Dawson
In this remarkable book, George Dawson, a slave’s grandson who learned to read at age 98 and lived to the age of 103, reflects on his life and shares valuable lessons in living, as well as a fresh, firsthand view of America during the entire sweep of the twentieth century. Richard Glaubman captures Dawson’s irresistible voice and view of the world, offering insights into humanity, history, hardships, and happiness. From segregation and civil rights, to the wars and the presidents, to defining moments in history, George Dawson’s description and assessment of the last century inspires readers with the message that has sustained him through it all: “Life is so good. I do believe it’s getting better."
Podcast picks…
My absolute favorite podcast for book reviews - If you haven’t listened to The Book Case by Kate and Charlie Gibson, please start. It is so much fun and very informative!
Are you stuck in a reading rut? The Book Case makes the case for books outside of your usual genre. Wander the aisles of your local bookstore with Kate and Charlie Gibson and meet fascinating characters who will open your appetite to new categories while deepening your hunger for books. This weekly series will journey cover to cover through the literary world, featuring interviews with best-selling authors, tastemakers, and independent bookstore owners.
Mind/Body connections…
A powerful little pick-me-up throughout the day as well as a great start to your morning! Positive thoughts make for a positive life!
Comedy Lift…
I love to share funny cartoons or memes with friends and family. Who doesn’t need to smile? Here’s this week’s Comedy Lift…
Music Moments
Music inspires me in many ways. There are certain songs I can sing word for word. This song is one of them…Plus, it reminds me that the world is filled with people who are kind and loving,...Here’s the song Angels Among Us by Alabama ...Enjoy!
Quote of the week
Until next week. Please remember…Begin and end each day with a grateful heart…and always, always be kind….