Review of Looking Backward 2000 – 1887, Part 2

In a recent post I began describing this 1887 book written by Edward Bellamy. Here is more about the author. The first page leaves no doubt as to why he wrote this book . “We ask to put forth just our strength, our human strength, All starting fairly, all equipped alike. But when full roused, … Continue reading Review of Looking Backward 2000 – 1887, Part 2 →

Review of Looking Backward 2000 – 1887

At a recent used book sale I bought an intriguing book written by Edward Bellamy. It was published in 1887, with the premise of having been written in the year 2000. The author imagines how the country would look in another century if certain idealistic industrial, political and economic changes were made to enable the … Continue reading Review of Looking Backward 2000 – 1887 →

What to Read Next?

How do you decide what to read? Do you scan the latest bestseller lists? Do you have a library of unread books where you just close your eyes and reach for one? Does a friend inspire you to read the great book they just finished? I had a lot of time to ponder this question … Continue reading What to Read Next? →

Louisa May Alcott’s First Novel, The Inheritance

Written in 1849, first discovered in 1988 and published in 1997, The Inheritance, as expected, is a breath of fresh air. This is no surprise, considering the era in which it was written, when writers consistently wrote with dignity, delicacy, insight, and restraint. It is considered Alcott’s first novel, written when she was only seventeen … Continue reading Louisa May Alcott’s First Novel, The Inheritance →

5 Hours in the Library and No Reading Allowed

Our grade 12 students did their final exams last week and I helped supervise the tests. I was with students in the library, and as supervisors, our job is to move among the students to ensure security, so we are not allowed to sit, catch up on our work, or check emails. Or read! … Continue reading 5 Hours in the Library and No Reading Allowed →

I Love Old Books! (Part 4)

Even though I don’t necessarily need to read all the gems that I find at the book sales—it’s enough to surround myself with them—I do read them. Now, to be honest, if a book is more than 50 or 100 years old, after quickly thumbing through it to touch and smell the pages, I generally … Continue reading I Love Old Books! (Part 4) →

I Love Old Books! (Part 3)

Happy New Year! I wonder what books 2013 holds! I enjoy everything about old books: hunting for them, inhaling the smell of leather and studying them: their covers, publishers, inscriptions, signs of aging, and knowing that I am holding something that was on this earth in a different century. I don’t necessarily need to read … Continue reading I Love Old Books! (Part 3) →

I Love Old Books! (Part 2)

Ever since the Crossroads Used Book Sale, I’ve been enjoying my new old books and writing about why they are such a delight to me. I treasure them because I believe these books were far more precious in their day than a book is now, simply because of the relative scarcity of books and the … Continue reading I Love Old Books! (Part 2) →

I Love Old Books!

As I mentioned in a previous post, my strategy when tackling huge used book sales is to go to the old books first. But I wonder why? What is it that makes the old books such a delight to me? It was probably my mom who instilled in me a love for old things that … Continue reading I Love Old Books! →

In Heaven

Surrounded by treasures from the used book sales...... The above were published in 1905, 1922, 1921 and 1920, respectively. The book below was published in 1923 or earlier (only have an inscription to go by). This reader was published in 1897. The 3 above were published in 1912. All of them gems!!!