What I Love About You Monday...Old Books Edition

As far back as I can remember, I have always had a thing for books. Library day in elementary school was something I looked forward to with much anticipation.  Not only did I love books and reading but in the library everyone was expected to be quiet which was a huge relief to the extremely shy and introverted kid that I was. 


And the book fair?  Was heaven on earth. 


The book fair came to Dracen's school last week and he, as he always is, was very enthusiastic about buying himself some new books.  He knows there will never be a negotiation (which he may actually find disappointing since he is a born negotiator) when asking me for book fair money. It simply makes my heart smile to see him get excited about books even if they are filled with gross Ripley's Believe It Or Not stuff or pull-out posters of great white sharks.  I just love having books around me even if they aren't ones I'm particularly interested in myself.  


There is a thrift/consignment/antique place that I love to visit and the last time I was in there I got carried away when I found a booth full of books for a dollar a piece...even the hardcovers. I was in book heaven. No doubt I would have come out with more if I could have carried them. I've found that I love old books even more than I do new ones which is what this edition of What I Love About You Monday is all about...

What I Love About Old Books...

~The smell.  And I don't even know how to describe it but if you've ever stepped foot in a library(and who hasn't?) then you know it.

~Handwritten inscriptions in the front.  I love imagining who these people were and what relationship they shared.  Found this in one of the books I recently bought for a dollar...

~You never know what little treasures you may stumble upon while reading one...little notes scribbled in the margin, an old newspaper ad, a postage paid comment card from the publisher, dated 1948.

~The way they take me back in time and give me a little glimpse as to what if may have been like to live a hundred years ago.  I bought this book (copyright 1900)at an antiques mall when we were in Maine in August...

~Feeling that I am most likely the only person in the world currently reading the book since it was published over one hundred years ago and is now out of print.

~Their mere presence in a room brings a feeling of coziness, comfort and warmth to the space. 

~They are magical.  Or at least they feel that way to me.  There is just something about holding a book in your hands and reading the words of someone long gone yet truly feeling a deep connection to them because you understand their words so much that you could have written them yourself.

What's your favorite old book?