Last week, I showed you the vintage books hidden away in my son's closet. I really enjoyed hearing about all of the classic stories that made an impression on you guys as children.
Some of you expressed an interest in knowing what books were hidden behind the books in the front rows of my son's bookshelves. So, here they are. I see why these ones were tucked in the back - because I've never read most of them! Many, like these ones above, are adventure stories - dare I call them boys' books?
Like so many of you, I was interested in the strong female characters, like Nancy Drew, Jo in "Little Women" and Anne in "Anne of Green Gables." I admit, however, that I simply overlooked some of these great books my mom gave me, just as my kids overlook them today. For example, I never read "Phronsie Pepper" or any of the books in the "Five Little Peppers" series by Margaret Sidney.
These three, above, I would have read at some point or another. My husband and I once took turns reading "Huckleberry Finn" to our son.
I never read any of these books, which all came from Mom. It's interesting that she had a few books that revolved around nurses. I wonder if she had already decided to become a nurse when she got these, or if they inspired her to go into nursing? Perhaps she can answer that question in the comments below. Look for "anonymous."
"A Little White Flower," the story of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, was given to Mom by her uncle, who was a Catholic priest.
Many of these books have personal inscriptions inside the front cover. I realize that's probably not a good thing for collectors, but I love to read who gave whom a book, and when.
Have you read any of these books? Do you come from a family of readers?
Linking up with these wonderful sites: Sir Thrift A Lot and Hey What's for Dinner Mom? and Knick of Time and The Thrifty Groove and The Cottage Market
I am so drawn to old books -- the gorgeous covers, the typeface...even the smell. I was a Trixie Belden/Nancy Drew girl, myself. Your collection is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteMe too Heather...even the smell. ;)
DeleteI feel like re-reading Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden now. :)
i just wanted to be a part of this thread because i feel like heather said everything i wanted to. the art, the typeface and *especially* the smell. =)
DeleteYou guys are so right about the typeface! Love the old look! :)
DeleteJoann: I was a patient on the same hospital ward as my maternal grandmother when I was 10 years old. That was the first time I thought of nursing as a career. In the 50's it was nursing, teaching or secretary.
ReplyDeleteHi Anonymous, aka Mom - Why were you in the hospital and did the books come first, or the desire to be a nurse?
DeleteI don't remember which books I got when, but I do remember sneaking and reading STELLA DALLAS and mom's other popular books from her bookclub membership. I started about age 9.
ReplyDeleteThat's funny, because I snuck some of your books too! :)
DeleteI can't imagine a life without books!! I remember the first time Mom took me to the library, I thought it was just the most wonderful place, I read my books fast and she had to take me right back! Loved reading then and still do!
ReplyDeleteGreat story Jill. :) My mom used to take us to the library near the cottage. It was in an old house. I just loved that. Books are so mysterious to me, I love them to be housed in an old, interesting location. Too bad they make the libraries big and fancy now!
DeleteI love old books, and have many that have been passed down. And I agree, I love the ones with inscriptions even more!!
ReplyDeleteWhen people give me books as gifts, I want them to write a note inside!
DeleteYour collection is amazing, Jo!
ReplyDeleteYep, I come from a family of readers - I inherited all of their books and have added a bunch of thrifted vintage ones to the collection. I love the idea of handing them down (I also love the smell).
Thanks Wendy. We are a funny bunch, aren't we, sniffing books? ;)
DeleteMy Mom shared her love of reading with me, and I've passed it down to my kids. Unfortunately, Mom got rid of many of her books before I was born....a move which she has regretted numerous times over the years. Based on the five overflowing bookshelves in my house, I will not have that problem!
ReplyDeleteThis is always the trouble, eh? We need to get rid of clutter, but then we regret giving away certain items. I'm fearful every time I think about de-cluttering. ;)
DeleteI've never heard of many of those, but old books are wonderful. If they have any illustrations that's just an added bonus!
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, the illustrations are amazing! :)
DeleteOh, do I love books! Your collection is just amazing!
ReplyDeleteMy mom is a HUGE reader (she still probably reads a book every day or two) and instilled that love in my sister and I when we were children.. trips to the library occured at least once a week and we often made trips to a local book exchange store..
As an adult, I STILL have that love of reading in me.
My mom reads that much too! I love books, but I'm not at that stage yet. :)
DeleteI love books! We often had nursing books, Sue Barton, Cherry Ames and the like. We are all readers! My sister did go into nursing and has been an RN for almost 30 years.
ReplyDeleteI don't recall every reading a book featuring a nurse. It would be interesting!
DeleteMy sister has someone of an unhealthy addiction to vintage books. I have been known to pull her out of sales! She has quite a collection and the cool thing is that she actually reads them! So I guess it's not too bad of a problem:-)
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend!
Erica
It's good she has you! ;)
DeleteI should really pull my sister away from the purse section!!
Loved reading about your books. I am definitely from a family of readers, a joy I hopefully passed on to my own two now grown-up kids.
ReplyDeleteNever nread any of the ones you show in the photo, though. My loss.
Found you on Thrify Things Friday. Have a good day! Susan
I want my kids to be readers too! My daughter already seems to be, but the boy...not sure that's going to happen. ;)
DeleteThanks for visiting Susan. :)
Jo
I am a total book addict, a bookoholic. There is not a place selling books that can fail to show me something I want to buy. It is getting to be a challenge as so often I tell myself, read it, have it, have a few copies, etc. Older books call to me.
ReplyDeleteI was a youngest child so learned to read before Kindergarten and my son was reading at a third grade level before he started school.
I hope I get to visit you for some of the fantasy blog hops and you share copies of classics like Alice in Wonderland or The Wizard of Oz books!
Bookoholic - I like that! That would be me too!
DeleteI sometimes buy the same book twice...which proves I don't need more books. I haven't read all of the ones I have.
Which fantasy blog hops?
Jo
Thanks for sharing more of your great vintage book collection with us.
ReplyDeletehugs,
Linda
Thank you Linda. :)
DeleteOld books have such cool illustrations. Nothing like today where they just take a picture, photoshop it to death and slap it on the cover.
ReplyDeleteYou have a really cool, well rounded collection. I'm waiting for my Little Dude to be old enough to sit and listen to a story. I would love to read him 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.
So true! I love the old illustrations too. :)
DeleteIt's great fun when the kids sit and listen to a story. My daughter mostly likes to read to me now...and that's good too. :)
I so love old books...I love books!!!! I just adore looking at them and then diving into them is the bonus : ) TFS...hugs...
ReplyDeleteI spend a lot of time looking at them and admiring them too. More than reading them. ;)
Delete