A World Without Borders

Metaphorically speaking, a world without borders is where we see ourselves when we read; literally, though, I am speaking of the closing of what was once the second-biggest book superstore in the U.S. during it's 40th year of business. A few months ago I talked about the dying use of hymnals. Unfortunately, I realize now that there is a dying use of the written word, whether in church, bed, car, hammock, or bathroom (admit it, surely you've read a book in there at least once!). With an e-reader called the Nook, Barnes and Noble is barely keeping it's head above the water in this tough economy, competing with the likes of Kindle, iPads, and others like it. But even still, I find it sad that society is doing away with paper, in favor of all this "cool" technology.

Remembering Books
I remember, as a child, being asked to do something and responding "just one more page?" What does one say today, on these e-books -- "just one more scroll down?"
I remember, as a child, reading myself to bed, and after reading several chapters, finally deciding to stop at the next page that ended with a period. What does one do today? Just finish at the end of a chapter? How boring is that!
I remember, as a child, the joy I received in getting books for Christmas, and the sadness that would follow because I read them too quickly!
I remember, now an adult, the cases full of books I own, and the years it took accumulating them. The floor-to-ceiling case given as a birthday gift to a 13 year-old girl, because her little 3-shelf case wasn't enough any longer.
I remember my books, weathered with love and aged with care, and find it curious that other little girls do not boast the same fond memories, and the happy shelves full of books!

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It seems fitting to list the books that help make my shelves complete, and have shaped me over the years. The books that have taken me to such exotic places as Minnesota, Prince Edward Island, Wisconsin, England, the fictional River Heights, the Appalachian mountains of Tennessee, and ancient Baghdad, just to name a few. . .places I can say I've been, even if only through the doors of books.
The Betsy-Tacy series by Maud Hart Lovelace
Anne of Green Gables series by Lucy Maud Montgomery
Little House on The Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder
David Copperfield by Charles Dickens
Nancy Drew by Carolyn Keene
Christy by Katherine Marshall
Seven Daughters and Seven Sons by Barbara Cohen and Bahija Lovejoy.

When sharing my distress and sadness with my wonderful, caring guy, he said "don't worry, our kids will know what books are." Needless to say, that made me smile. I'm glad he appreciates books. Maybe not to the same extent I do, but he nevertheless sees the value in owning a collection, and reading books.

Do you have fond memories of books? Have they been a friend to you when no one else wanted to play with you, or when you needed an escape from others? What are your more memorable books? What makes them special?