The Joys of Bookselling

One of my favorite things about bookselling is the people that you come in contact with. I was sorting through yard sale/flea market purchase looking for things to list for sale and came across this booklet:

It was privately printed in 1964 and contained three stories, one a "fairy tale" about the dragon and the others stories apparently about the author's childhood.

After reading the dedication -- "to my daughter Margie who heard these tales as a child" -- it occurred to me that this woman might have family somewhere who would like to read these stories, and so I did a Google search for Edith Young Ellis. I discovered a death notice on one page that mentions a daughter Margaret, and contacted the owner of that page who confirmed that I had, indeed, found the author of the book.

Edith Young Ellis was born in Norristown, PA in 1906 and apparently was very talented, teaching both painting and piano. So it is no surprise that she was also a very good storyteller. The stories in her "book" are just lovely -- memories of singing carols at Christmas, the thrill of a new box of crayons, making "hop toad houses" (what the heck are they?) and a trip to the seashore. She lived to the age of 101 and, hopefully, entertained quite a few generations with her stories which clearly demonstrate the pleasure that can found in the ordinary things of life. "Oh, how it is good to remember," she writes, "If today joys come to us less often and fleetingly it is because we demand too large a prize."

I will pass this booklet on to Edith's granddaughter, feeling fortunate to have "met" this lovely woman.

Snow in Philadelphia

Another storm coming on Tuesday! Yikes!

The Joy of Re-Reading

Somebody on one of my email lists sent along a New York Times article on the pleasures of being a re-reader.

I am an avid re-reader. My favorite activity in school was visiting the library, and I thought it so unfair that we couldn't visit the school library on our own but only on the designated day once every other week with the entire class. We were also limited in the number of books we could take out, so I was always torn between taking out old favorites and finding something new. The old favorites often won out.

It was thrilling to discover the local public library, which I could visit any time I wanted. What joy! I haunted the children's section of the library, withdrawing and re-withdrawing such classics as Anne of Green Gables, Little Women, Heidi, and The Secret Garden. In adulthood, I never paid money for a book until I had read it first and knew it was "re-readable"; thus my home library was full of well loved volumes. I don't still follow that rule to the letter -- I will buy books I haven't read before, but usually only if I've read something else by the same author.

There's something so satisfying about opening a book already knowing the friends who dwell in its pages. You don't have to bite your nails through the harrowing parts if you already know that everything will come out okay in the end. On the other hand, you can prepare yourself with plenty of tissues if you know the ending is sad. And you always discover something you never saw before.

As the author of the Times' article points out: "The characters remain the same, and the words never change, but the reader always does."

Book Review: Lottery by Patricia Wood

Perry Crandall, as he is quick to make known, is not retarded. He knows that the standard of being retarded is an IQ of 75, and, since his is one point higher than that at 76, he doesn't want to be called retarded. He observes that some people treat him as if he were retarded, and this bothers him.

In his 30's, Perry lives with his widowed grandmother. He has rarely seen his mother or his brothers, whom he is told to call "cousins". He has a job and has made friends with his boss, Gary, and a co-worker, Keith, and has a crush on a girl who works at the local convenience store. All in all, it is a very pleasant life until the props are knocked out from under him when his grandmother dies. Suddenly, Perry has to find a life for himself with his limited resources. Since the rest of his family doesn't want to be bothered with him, Perry is looked after by Gary and Keith. His family becomes attentive again, however, when he hits the lottery for $12 million.

Torn by the demands of his greedy family and the admonitions of the friends who want to protet him, Perry is guided by the lessons learned from his grandmother. Told from Perry's point of view, the narrative is delightfully frank and open. His views on the people and the world around him are refreshing, and some of his observations remarkably insightful. Although the characterization is a bit superficial -- the "bad" guys are so irretrievably bad -- this is just a wonderful story about the real meaning of family.

Book Review: I Take Thee, Serenity

Quite a few years ago, I discovered the Daisy Newman when I picked up a copy of "Diligence in Love" at a flea market or library book sale. This story of a driven businesswoman who encounters Quakers while researching an advertising campaign impressed me. I had heard of Quakers but never really knew anything about them or their religion. This gentle way of life appealed to me and I made it a point to search out other titles by this author. I just recently happened across "I Take Thee, Serenity" in my bookcase and re-read it, to be touched anew.

Written in 1975, the premise of this book would now be considered old-fashioned. Serenity Ross is an independent 19-year-old in love with Peter Holland and quite content to have a sexual relationship with him while away at college. Suspecting this, her parents decide that it is best to have the two young people get married. Feeling pushed into a wedding that is taking on circus-like proportions and inspired by the picture of a Quaker wedding hanging in her parents' home, Serenity flees to her father's old family home near Kendal, Rhode Island to step back and take stock. There, she meets her elderly Quaker cousin, Oliver Otis, and his wife, Daphne, who help her to look into herself and her relationship with Peter and realize that their marriage will effect not only them but all of the people who love them.

This journey of self-discovery can't help but touch the reader. The Quaker way, as presented here, is one of tolerance and understanding and reading this book gave me a sense of joy.

Warmth

It was a frigid day here in Philadelphia. I slipped out the basement door to go to my "book barn" for a few books that had sold and was slapped in the face by a freezing wind. Brrrrr! So many people go cold in the winter, wearing sweaters and bundling up even in the house because they can't afford to pay the gas bill or have oil delivered. I thank God for my warm house.

We hit the shopping mall for a few things today and was surprised at how crowded it was. With all the news about the slumping economy, I expected the crowds to be lighter. But as crowded as the mall was, the thrift shop we visited earlier was even "crowdeder"! The aisles were blocked with people lined up to buy old Christmas decorations, clothes, glasswear, etc. I wonder how many were buying for themselves or, like me, buying for resale.

Let it Snow!

I went out this morning and waited for the bus in a swirl of snow flurries. I guess it's a sign of my age that I put up my umbrella while I waited -- melting snow messes up the hair!