too many books, so little time

my love for history really started when i began reading historical fiction books.  the little house on the prairie series was probably the catalyst, but i know there were many other books i enjoyed as well.  not everyone is a fan of series books, but that is a big part of what hooked me into historical fiction, as well as built in such a strong love to read.  today, it is still one of my favorite genres.  i was up until 2:30 last night finishing a book by ann rinaldi…i just had to find out what happened!  she is one of my favorite h.f. authors, and she writes for young adults.  she does amazing historical research for her novels, and she does not dumb down the content nor vocabulary in her books.  (that has been a big complaint of mine with many new young adult books that are being written now).  she has a large number of great books.  the house of winslow series by gilbert morris is a thirty novel long set following the winslow family from the persecution of protestants in europe through world war 2.  they are fast reads as they are a bit easy, but i’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading them while growing up. 

there really are many genres of books i enjoy: classics,  fiction, non-fiction, mystery, fantasy, children’s lit, biographies — just to name a few :)   i have thoroughly enjoyed the harry potter books, and i plan on rereading the whole series.   of course, those of you who know me well, know that i absolutely love the anne of green gables series.   shall i keep going…?

my list of books to read is quite long, and i add to it regularly.  i have some incredible historical non-fiction books sitting on the shelf…i just need more time!  and i just had another book recommended to me last night — gary schmidt’s latest.   i love to tell my middle school kids about my “stack” of books that is waist high waiting for my attention.  it is not a literal stack, of course.  i also regularly share with them one of my philosophies in life: “too many books, so little time”.  they look at me like i am crazy!     

old books

i’ve long had a fascination with old books.  i think it began years ago when a friend of my grandmother’s gave me an old edition of heidi.  i  collect books by favorite authors like montgomery, alcott,  and austin, as well as many other childhood favorites.  it’s fun when i discover old classics like hans brinker and the silver skates.  ty thought i was crazy when i recently purchased a first edition, fourth printing of gone with the wind!  the thing is,  the price was too good to pass up, and i did show some restraint at that antique mall in shipshewana… there were probably another six books i really wanted to buy :)  (in addition to the half dozen i came home with!).  books have become my new souvenirs from trips!

i have quite a collection of books that i have been given over the years — paperback and hardcover.  i have a few from the 1800s; i have no idea if they have any value, however.   dutch books from my grandfathers are others that i have been given.  i would love to someday research my collection.  

for the most part, i buy books ’cause i like them, not for their monetary value.  many of them are sentimental choices.  i find the hunt for books at flea markets, garage sales, antique stores, and bookstores great fun.  the best is to search through old and used bookstores.  ty and i found some great stores in florence, oregon on our recent west coast trip.  someday i’d like to return to ann arbor, michigan and peruse their many, many great bookstores.  in fact, ann arbor is where i found my dream purchase — a first edition of anne of green gables.  but, the price was just a bit out of my price range (ok, so it really was out of my price range by a lot!).  so, onward goes my quest…

hello world!

i thought it was time to join the blogging world!