Musty Old Books

Back in the 1940s, after he came home from WWII, my grandfather joined a book club. Once a month he received a gorgeous, classic novel. He was a part of this club for years and accumulated dozens of books. All are wonderfully bound and amazingly cared for. Each one has his name and the date he received it, which adds a nice bit of family history to this set of books.

Gorgeous old book from 1948

My mom inherited the books after my grandfather died. They were displayed during my childhood, but after my parents divorced my mom didn't have enough room anymore. Most of the books have been sitting in boxes for the last decade or so. A handful did make it onto shelves, and in high school I picked up Pride and Prejudice.

I remember my mom making me swear up and down that I would take exquisite care of the book. I had always read a lot. My house was packed to overflowing with books and my parents were always willing to buy me more. But this was the first time I really felt reverence for a book. I worshiped it.

These aren't just books. They aren't just old books. They belonged to my grandfather, a man I have exactly one memory of. Reading these books makes me feel a bit more connected to my own family history. They are books that my grandfather read. Not just stories, but the actual books. My mom read them, I've read a few, and I hope that my kids will read them someday.

When Boyfriend and I bought our house, I was able to claim one of the rooms as a library/office for myself. I began hinting heavily that I wanted the books. At my mom's house they're living in boxes, but I have room to display them. A classic collection like this needs to be sitting on a shelf, not in boxes.

As a birthday surprise, my mom sent me two of the books. It's even more special because this copy of Pride and Prejudice was my introduction to Jane Austen, as it was my mom's before me. Now I just need to find spots for these books on my extensive reading list. In the meantime, at least they have a place in my library

Awesome birthday present