Apologies to those of y'all whose posts I may have missed yesterday. Our power went out mid-afternoon, yet it still felt cool enough we could sit outside 'til dark. Funny how many things we use that need electricity!
This morning? In the words of my favorite weather guy, "Muggy factor's eleventy bazillion."
Lately, it's been a good time to read. A real book.
“Imagine, the letters one has sent out into the world, the letters received back in turn, are like the pieces of a magnificent puzzle. . . . Isn’t there something wonderful in that, to think that a story of one’s life is preserved in some way, that this very letter may one day mean something, even if it is a very small thing, to someone?”
Gosh. I can't remember the last time I actually purchased a hardback and paid retail. Nevertheless, there was just "something" niggling at my consciousness ..... remaining birthday money burning a hole in my pocket.
I've said it before. Maybe it's just me, but in every book I'm drawn to, I've a need to relate -- if not the protagonist, then another key player.
This? Not only can I not summon an ounce of empathy for Sybil (the Correspondent) ... I don't much like her. At all.
So why then, am I loving this book? I've not read more than 100 pages. Deliberately, I slow my eyes to savor every page -- like one might a decadent piece of chocolate.
Oh, how this meme resonates!
I haven't given a book in simply ages. I can't remember writing an inscription either.. Maybe this is the poke I need to do that again.
ReplyDeleteIt seems that reading actual books has taken a back burner for me nowadays. Its so sad because I always had my nose in a book. I guess old age does that sometimes. Good intentions just doesn't cut it.
Glad your electricity is back on and sorry about the muggy days. We will be up to 90F today but its a dry heat, thank goodness.
Sue
I've tried "e" reading, but there's just something about holding ink-and-paper in my hands that feels good.
DeleteVery timely post. I am about to gift a baby a book on the occasion of his baptism. Obviously he can't read, but I hope to be able to write something meaningful and memorable for when he is able to read many years from now.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if modern society will remember the many emails and texts they have sent and received which now no longer exist. In our youth we kept fond letters tied with ribbon in a shoebox.
God bless, Mevely.
Yes! My mother actually kept some of my letters from school; and I giggle to read what seemed so important.
DeleteWe take for granted things like power don't we? Our washing machine broke and had to get a new one. I missed doing laundry so much.
ReplyDeleteGee that book sounds fantastic.
I haven't given a book in quite a while.
Ouch(!) on that washing machine. I hate spending good money on appliances.
DeleteI haven't given a book in a long time. And no, I've never inscribed anything inside. I don't know why...???
ReplyDeleteI haven't either! ... but lately I've felt the nudge. We'll see.
DeleteI haven't gifted a book to anyone (other than myself) that I can't even remember the last time. But, yes, I did inscribe something To.. date...occasion... From. We have become too digital. Books used to be a great gift to give. Not so much now, I think. Sad. xo
ReplyDeleteThat does feel sad. As a child, I could always count on receiving books for a birthday or Christmas.
DeleteI've had chronic eyestrain all my life so seldom read a print book. Kindle is a boon because I can increase the font size. And I can read a lot on my computer screen because I stand back far enough that it doesn't strain my eyes.
ReplyDeleteTechnology like this rocks!
DeleteGood for you enjoying this book. I have never been much of a reader. I think I'm really missing out on things.
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DeleteOh wow. I love holding a real book in my hands too. I love to turn the pages and sometimes turn them back again to reread something that didn't make sense the first time, but later does when I get to a new part...And yes, I love books with inscriptions in them. It's been a while since I received one or gave one, however. I mostly get my books from the library now, so no writing in them!! Sad that things like handwritten letters, actual developed photographs and real books are becoming things of the past. Someday there will be no written or printed records that we existed. Everything will be digital, if the programs are still accessible that we saved them on. Very sad indeed. But I enjoyed your post!!! It gave us some food for thought!!
ReplyDeleteYou "get" it, too! Thank you for your sweet comment, Pam!
DeleteI can’t really remember, but I think I might have written something in a children’s book at some point. But I did correspond with an older lady I met in England. She worked in the little store inside the hotel, I bought a few children’s books in there, snacks and Newspapers and Magazines, etc. (My husband was in England for business and I got to go over from early February to late May). We wrote each other and shared photos over the years. The last letter I sent, her son called me from England and told me she had passed away at 92 in May of 2020. The same month my Mom passed. She had kept my letters and photos, she wrote about looking back over them and the photos. I also kept the ones from her. I also have ones from my friends back when people still wrote letters. I also have a few from high school and it is funny reading them now. I wish letter writing would make a comeback too. Take care, Sheila Y
ReplyDeleteI forgot to say, we were there in 1992. Sheila
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