A Love Of Reading

Nora Roberts is a favourite author of mine. I first encountered her books during a time of personal struggle some three-plus decades ago; they offered a brilliant and much-desired escape. They were something to focus on that wasn’t my eating disorder.

She wasn’t the first author I collected, but she was the first one I got serious about. She was my Pokemon – gotta get ’em all.

It took time and trips to book and thrift stores, but the collection was finally complete. That doesn’t mean I’m done. I find new ways to collect now. Omnibus collections and boxed sets are my latest Nora Roberts quest.

Who doesn’t love a boxed set of books?

Who doesn’t love putting together a personal library?

My library, however, is more than just Nora Roberts. Books are like chocolates or grapes – why have just one? I’m greedy when it comes to books. I’m greedy when it comes to reading. I should’ve pursued “editor” as a career. Reading for money sounds like a good time.

I’m not limited when it comes to the contents of my library. My interests are wide-ranging, and I indulge them. I have fiction and non-fiction offerings, adult and children’s literature sections, and reference shelves. Happiness is a set of encyclopedias. Happiness is a book by Stephen King, Jennifer Crusie, or Guy Gavriel Kay. Happiness is the writings of Brené Brown.

There’s even a bookcase devoted solely to literature and poetry, though the books shelved there don’t get pulled for rereading as often as my conscience would like. I don’t want to get rid of my copies of the classics, but I also don’t head to them as readily as I do to the popular fiction offerings.

I prefer a nice modern murder over a twenty-page description of the moors.

I’ve also started an ebook library. Thank goodness eBooks collections only need virtual shelves. Ebooks are easier to buy, and so the numbers climb quickly. I’m not sure I want people to know how many I have. I already get mocked a bit about the physical books I own.

Some secrets are good to keep.