Something Old, Something New ... As in Books

Memorial Day 2011 A Simple Act of Kindness

Something Old, Something New ... As in Books

I love big books. Always have, probably always will--although the good ones aren't as easy to find as they once were. The move for some time now has been away from the mega book to faster reads, and that's not necessarily a bad thing--sometimes. On occasion I want a story that doesn't take a significant time commitment, usually depending on what's going on in my life.

Even so, my first love in books is still the hefty saga. That's one reason I was slow to become interested in e-books. I've made the transition by now, but it wasn't easy, and I'll never be able to completely give up "real books." For one thing, I simply like the heft of a book in my hands, and especially enjoy opening for the first time a big, scrumptious historical and anticipating a story that's going to last more than a few hours.

Unfortunately, in order to have that experience as often as I'd like, these days I often find myself turning to older books I've read before. I'm a pack rat when it comes to books, so unless it's a poor excuse of a read, I seldom get rid of any. I still have books I read as a teen, even some from childhood. But those aren't the only ones I re-read. Over the years I've collected quite a few of the classics, and they're also showing the effects of frequent use. Actually, I don't much appreciate the appearance of a new book. I tend to favor the "comfortable look" of those old friends who have been with me a long time.

Sometimes it makes me sad to think of all the reading treasures our children and grandchildren will never experience. Not that there aren't good books being written today. They're definitely out there. But at times I get the feeling that for every one book that's memorable and in line to one day become a "classic," there are countless others that will be forgotten ... and should be.

I've always been grateful that my husband is also a reader. Both of us have done everything we can to keep some of our favorites visible and available to friends and family, but we know it's simply not possible to expose all the wonderful, unforgettable stories we've read throughout the years to our loved ones.

Recently we were having a "memory session" about some of our favorites, and while it would take a book (well, at least a lengthy article) to list them all, I did make a "keepers" list of some. I decided to post that list here at Grace Notes in hopes that some of you might either discover ones you haven't read before--or even rediscover those you want to read again. So for those of you who are interested, here's a sampling of a few we've read more than once or intend to read again or will, at least, "remember with affection." Some are very old, others are simply well-worn, and a few aren't really old at all. Most are "big books," others not so big, but "important" books, we think.

All the King's Men--Robert Penn Warren.

Gone with the Wind--Margaret Mitchell.

To Kill a Mockingbird--Harper Lee.

The Brothers Karamazov--Fyodor Dostoevsky.

Quo Vadis--Henryk Sienkiewicz.

Trinity/Armageddon/Mila 18--Leon Uris

Little Women--Louisa May Alcott.

The Captains and the Kings/Dear and Glorious Physician--Taylor Caldwell.

To Lie with Lions--Dorothy Dunnett.

Hawaii--James Michener.

Not as a Stranger--Morton Thompson.

Winds of War/War and Remembrance--Herman Wouk.