Books have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I have vivid childhood memories of frequent visits to my grandfather’s small apartment and his heavily laden bookcase brimming with books of all color, shape, and size. If I close my eyes, I can see the clouded streams of sunlight shrouding my shoulders as I poured through the books, feeling the weight of the pages and running my fingers across the passages in search of the imprint of the press. I can still smell the scent of his pipe tobacco mingled gently with the worldly scent of the books. It’s a perfume that I still associate with wisdom and scholarship.
My picture is of one small shelf on the bookcase in my living room containing a few of my grandfather’s books that have made their way into my collection.
My picture is of one small shelf on the bookcase in my living room containing a few of my grandfather’s books that have made their way into my collection.
Many other daily photo sites participate in the first of the month theme day.
8 comments:
I've always loved the smell of old books and the pleasure of turning the pages. It reminds me of visiting my public library as a young child and walking up the squeaking stairs to the second floor children's area and the anticipation of what I was going to find. Aren't books wonderful!
What wonderful treasures!!
Beautiful post.
You evoke the memory of your granddad beautifully for us. Interesting shelf of books, too, and how nice that you still have some of them. Have a good week-end.
Your words are beautiful and you obviously love books. Yes, smell is such an important part of a book, isn't it? A beautiful post.
WHat a beautiful choice for Theme Day! I can honestly say, I haven't heard of any of the titles in your grandfather's collection there... I'd love to open them up and dive in.
I share your passion for books. One of my uncle's gave me a few books from his mother's vast collection after she died many years ago. I am so happy to include them in my own burgeoning library -- a couple of them are from the late 1890s, and one is an early edition of Gift of the Magi. Old books in particular feel comforting and grounding to me. It connects us to our past through the words and pages that our ancestors read and turned. I love that.
Wonderful post today, my friend. I love your words as much as your photo!
I love old books. These ones must be very special belonging to your grandfather.
I love to look at other people's book shelves. It's like a window into their sole.
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