One Weakness

In recent years, I have downsized what I own by about two thirds. I am trying only to replace what wears out and for the most part I have done okay. Except for one weakness. I can't stop buying books and picking up free books at the library. Part of this is because I have an unnatural fear having free time and running out of reading material. Also, books have value to me beyond reading. They connect me to time and places and remind me of the way I could escape into a story. 

In the fifth grade, I discovered Nancy Drew mysteries. The ones in the school library had pink covers which I have never been able to find. But I did pick up some older ones at a garage sale. I like seeing them on my shelf. By the way, I tried reading the Nancy Drew books as an adult and the experience was not the same. Nancy was just a little to perfect for my. But the book represent when I first became interested in mysteries. 

I keep my battered paper back copy of Agatha Christie's A Caribbean Mystery because that book started me down the path of reading all her books and loving Miss Marple. Also, I have fond memories of reading the book by a campfire when my husband and I went camping and reading it at my garage sale while I waited for customers to show up. 

I am probably one of those people who will go on vacation and remember what book I was reading at a Paris cafe or on the bus ride to see a British castle. The books help me remember other things. 

I have a friend who when I told her about my book collecting said everyone gets one weakness. For my friend, it is buying beautiful dishes 

for her dinner table. 

So I will keep my old battered copy of A Caribbean mystery. I like to take it out and look at it once in a while and remember. Not only does a book provide escape, it can connect me to another place and time in my life. 

How about you? Do you have a weakness? Something you can't resists collecting. Leave a comment with you email address if you are in the lower forty eight United States. 

I will be giving away a copy of Christmas Hostage my book that came out in October or a hard copy of Tasha's Christmas Wish which be released again as an ebook at the end of November. 

I would love to hear from you.