Does This Bother Anybody Else?

"Where Books Come To Life!"

Painting by Christine Kornacki

Isn't this a great picture?  The story the young boy is reading has literally come to life!  This is what happens when a child (or an adult) becomes engrossed in a book.  You can imagine yourself right there with the hero or the heroine.  Your mind drifts away from the daily problems we all face and you find yourself falling into a reverie with words that tell a story.

My bookshop has a couple of sections of children's books.  The best ones are in a bookcase directly on the aisle.  The other books are in a smaller area and I have a sign that lets you know that those books are only 50-cents each.  I want to sell them off and just concentrate on the better ones.

Unfortunately, there are few children who stand there looking at the books.  The children are there with their parents who are shopping for something in particular and are in a hurry.  Though the children are looking at the books, they can't stay because their parents call them away.  "Come on... I don't have all day," they say as they move on down the aisle to check out other shops.  It's a pity.

I don't think the parents even realize that they are teaching the child that books aren't important.  Instead, they stop at the shop further down the aisle and let their children buy some inexpensive toy instead.  I guess the parents are not readers themselves so the bookshop doesn't entice them.

Both parents and children are thereby missing out on one of the joys of life.  Sure, these children can go on to read books electronically...  but it's not the same as holding a hard bound or a softcover book in your hands and using your imagination to bring its story to life.


 

My Favorite Passtime!

How could I possible resist this????

... or in my bookshop at the antique mall!!!


~ Grammarly.com

Book Addiction!

This so reminds me of my bookshop; except that my shop is much more organized.  However, I really don't have enough room for all the books I have, so I have some extras laying on shelves that have no room for them.

My books are in alphabetical order by author.  At least the fiction and historical romances are.  The rest are on shelves dedicated to their subjects.  For instance, I have shelves of bios, history and politics, health and medical, cookbooks, sports, and so on.  These obviously cannot be placed in alphabetical order...  I have no time for that.

I bought a tall bookcase from a vendor who is leaving at the end of the month.  I placed it in a conspicuous place and put children's books on the shelves.  I sell very few children's books...  parents don't encourage their children to stop and look at books.  It's a pity.  Surprisingly, soon after I placed the book case and filled it, a young girl who is being looked after by one of the vendors, came by and asked if I had any kids' books!  I pointed her to the books and she bought THREE of them!

Yes, books can be an addiction alright.  I just finished my 37th book of the year!  Maybe, I'll end up with 60 again...  :)  I LOVE TO READ!

Your Kids... My Kids?

Love it! 

This is Soooooo ME!

Don'cha know? This just hit the spot!

I love books!  Who would ever have guessed that one day I would  have a book shop!  I sure didn't.  People give me their unwanted books for free; or I buy their books; or I trade three of theirs for one of mine.  No matter how I acquire them, I end up with a huge choice of things to read.

My cup runneth over!

The Joy of Reading

I have this thing about books... I love to read!  But, how in the world have I been able to read 61 books this year!  More than any other year of my adult life.

Well, I have had a lot of down time this year.  Business was very slow at the shop (the recession has finally hit the flea markets too, which is really drastic)... so, that meant less funds to buy inventory to place in the shop.  I had to make do with what I had already or with what friends who were downsizing gave me.

Since I didn't have to deal with a lot of inventory, I had more time to read.  Because I have a bookshop as part of my space, I have a ready supply of books to choose from.  My cup runneth over!

My books come to me in different ways: I buy them, or I give a customer 1 free book for 3 of theirs, or kind and generous people leave bags of books in my shop.  Often I have no idea who have given me these books; but you can be sure that I am truly grateful for them.

I believe people appreciate a friendly vendor and keep coming back to buy from them; and think of them when they are in the process of downsizing, whether they be books or collectibles.  I am always happy when one of my customers comes by and asks, "Do you think you can use any of this stuff?"  I always say yes... and tell them that if I cannot use something, I will take it to the local Goodwill store.

Anyhow, as I was thinking about my books, I was also recalling paintings that I have seen with reading books as the focal point.  Here are some of what I found...  I hope you enjoy looking at them.  I think they are beautiful, especially the "Lady in Brown" by Chase.      

"Lady in Brown" - William Merritt Chase (1849-1916)

no title given - Helen Maria Turner (1858-1958)

"A Girl Reading Indoors" - Vanessa Bell (1879-1961)

"Girl with Book" - Bartholomeus Van der Helst (1613-1670)

"Miss Auras" - John Lavery (1856-1941)

"Alice in Wonderland" - George Dunlop Leslie (1835-1921)

"Woman Reading" - Pablo Picasso (1881-1973)

"Good Book" - Laura Fatta

"Woman Reading" - Peter Worsley (1929-)

"Girl Reading" - George Cochran Lambdin (1830-1896) 

"In the Garden Reading" - Mary Cassatt (1844-1926)

Rembrandt's Mother - Gerard Dou