You might assume packing and posting orders is an unwelcome
chore for a bookseller. As a bookseller, I have to disagree; I’m not sending ‘just’
a book I'm sending little parcels of memories as these letters clearly show...
Hi Barbara, I used to read this story when I was a little girl, at my Grandparents house in Shoreham-by-Sea. I've been searching for a copy for a couple of years, and now finally I can share one of my memories with my little boy!
Hello Barbara, talk about nostalgia! I chose this book as I was
seven years old at Christmas 1957 when Annuals came out. I had the Jack and
Jill comic until I progressed to Bunty and Judy. There are a couple of stories
in the book I remember vividly so I must have read this before. That was the
idea, but don't ask me what I ate yesterday!!
Hi Barbara, thank you for the delivery of my book it was packaged
beautifully and arrived within days. It was a book that my 70 year old dad had
as a boy and has been looking for ever since so we were very happy!
Just to let you know that the book arrived this morning. It is intended as a present for an elderly friend who has sought this
treasured story from her past for a long time. I know she will be delighted
with this lovely edition!
Packing books also gives me plenty of thinking time and what could be nicer than thinking about where the books are going. Something I find surprising is how often a book title appears to suit its new home.
As in the case of The Old woman and her pig now residing at Home Farm
and this to Sunrise Cottage!
Where else would I send this but to The Manor House?
Can you guess where I sent this?
It's true, and it happens over and over again. Just in the
last couple of weeks I've sent The Woodland Gospels to Church Lodge, The Wicked
Tricks of Till Owlyglass to The Old Malt House and The Adventures of the
Wishing Chair (Climb aboard for a marvellous adventure) to Mount Street.
It would be nice to think these two newly listed books might end up at Warren Halt and Windsor Castle!
Twitchy Whiskers and The Sleeping Beauty are now sold. I wish I could tell you The Sleeping Beauty
is on the way to Windsor Castle, but that would be a fib. It's actually on the
way to a very nice lady in Bay City, Michigan.
I live at Old Station Gardens so this is perfect for me.
What title is perfect for you either because it has something in common with your name or where you live or just because you love it?
HeHe! Well..Sammy is my daughters name....
ReplyDeleteBe a bit difficult to find a 'clean' book with my
name Willie in...William's o.k. Willie? But Willie!
(There's Wicked Willie of course). :).
As l've said before l wish l had the patience to
read a book..But l don't..Now ladybird books, that's
different...I've 239 of them, well, they are my daughters
really, been read over and over...and over, know most
of them off by heart, and l still read'em.
So, l have to stick to short stories, and reference books.
That's it....! :).
HaHa! Made me laugh....Twitchy Whisker...ending up in
Windsor Castle....Very appropriate for William's step
brother Harry...Sorry! Could'nt resist...! :>).
No, no, no Willie – Twitchy Whiskers is for Warren Halt. Sleeping Beauty is intended for the Castle. Although thinking about it, you could be right! Thanks for making me laugh.
ReplyDeleteSammy the Shunter is perfect for your daughter but I will have to think about Willie! :-)
Hi Willie, I just had a brainwave! The spelling is not quite right but how about the Willy books by Anthony Browne? There are plenty to choose from with titles like Willy the champ, Willy the dreamer, Willy and Hugh, Willy the wimp and Willy’s pictures. Probably lots more but I can't think of them right now.
DeleteOh! Yes! Oh! Yes! I've just Googled them...
DeleteWill take a closer look later..! Love the titles!
Some people do spell my name Willy...I don't
mind, if fact l don't mind what people call me,
as long as it's clean...! :).
You my friend, have such a rich bank of memories. Our memories, those of us who cherish the pages between our little hands. Packing books I would imagine would be a quiet opportunity to visit time and time again, your own moments of childhood. Enjoy every minute of it. WE DO! Anita
ReplyDeleteBless your heart Anita, comments like that are very precious to me as is your friendship. Barbara x
DeleteHi Barbara, Another happy read thanks but I do feel I missed so much by not reading more books as a child. Still it is a pleasure to read of others memories of books here in your delightful blog.
ReplyDeleteSorry John but I don’t agree with you. Reading about your life I don’t think you missed anything at all, you had a loving family and lots of freedom to roam and play outdoors. Like you I was always outside playing, but I read in bed by torchlight. I was also a quick reader and once I read a story it stayed with me. I wish that were still true.
DeleteOk maybe you are right (cancel the maybe) I have no real sad memories of childhood. Could have done with a torch maybe, candlelight under the bed clothes was a bit dodgy
ReplyDeleteYou are not wrong! hehe
DeleteWell, obviously Roger the Dodger. Not that I'm like that of course - often.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant idea Roger – wish I had thought of that.
DeleteSweet post.
ReplyDeleteAnd I want a wishing chair!
Thanks Kristin. I agree a wishing chair would be so much fun!
DeleteThinking of the stories of the people buying the books and where the books are traveling to does sound like fun. I am sure it makes the packing of books not only more interesting, but more exciting and personal too! I loved the stories you shared with us and I imagine you hear lots of great stories. You reunite many people with favorite books. That is awesome! :)
ReplyDeleteHello Stephanie, It is fun, and it’s even nicer when people get in touch with their stories. Thanks so much for your visit, Barbara.
DeleteSome books just belong with certain people in certain places. I love when all of that comes together. I bought a book at a sale when I was in Gaborone, Botswana and ended up using that book three years later as a required text for one of my Master's classes. It really is neat how things work out sometimes!
ReplyDeleteBrandy from Brandy's Bustlings
P.S. Thanks for the EBuzzing tip! I submitted my blog :)
Hi Brandy, that book was obviously intended for you. Well done on submitting your blog, I hope you find it useful. Barbara.
DeleteThose are all lovely. I think you know my favorite one to watch for is The Blue Eyed Lady which reminds me of mom.
ReplyDeleteI did know that Eve, but I’ve still not seen a copy of it on any of my travels. I have seen them for sale on the Internet but not one I could actually hold in my hands! Thanks for commenting, Barbara
DeleteHow fun to send your books to places with surprise connections! I haven't come up with a title for me, but since I love picture books, I know there must be many.
ReplyDeleteI’m sure there will be at least one Marcia, and I’m also sure you will have fun finding it. Barbara.
DeleteOh I agree Barbara, it is so fun to hear back from people too. Are those darling bookmarks you are including? Adorable!
ReplyDeleteHello Diane, yes they are bookmarks. I use different ribbons to personalise them before I pop them in with the orders. Thanks for your visit, Barbara.
DeleteLook where your books are going, Barbara! I agree, so many (if not all) of them are parcels of memories. Names of my town or country probably aren't in the classics, but if you ever find one about Tomato (where I live, it's called 'Tomato Town' or if it's in the Hokkien dialect 'Red-Haired Town') please let me know. These you have here are beautiful books. I'm attracted to Merry England's cover. Of course, with The Wishing Chair, my sisters and I used to see pretend-ribbons fluttering on the legs of our grandfather's rocking chair ...
ReplyDeleteParcels of memories. :) Happy weekends, Barbara! xoxo C.
Hello Claudine, I don’t think I’ve seen anything with Tomato Town or Red-Haired Town in the title, but it will be fun looking. I’m intrigued about the name is there any significance to it?
DeleteI love your description of the ribbons fluttering on your grandfather’s rocking chair – I would think you and your sister had hours of fun.
Much love, Barbara xx
Aww, I love this post!
ReplyDeleteBooks hold memories for so many people and I love that some titles coincide with the places they're delivered to.
When my Amber was small, I came across an '80s copy of Enid Blyton's 'Amber Storybook' which made for perfect bedtime reading!
Enjoy your weekend x
Hi Yvonne,
DeleteI love that you found the Amber Storybook for Amber. I’m doing the same for my granddaughter’s by looking for anything with Lilly or Zoe in the title. It’s surprising how many there are once you start looking.
Have a super weekend, Barbara x
I couldn't agree more. The packing and sending books of any sort must be rewarding but to be doing so with books that hold such treasured memories for their recipient must be doubly so.
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing better Tracy.
DeleteHa Ha Barbara .. its such a lovely post ! Yes even a mundane job such as packing and posting can be fulfilling and interesting if the doer is a vivacious person who loves every bit of her job ! I am in agreement with you regarding the coincidences .Once a lady ordered for wallpaper with instructions reading - ' no colours, no designs, no borders or fringes . Just pale sheets of wallpaper ..' While writing the bill the accountant could not help noticing her name "Mrs. Bland "
ReplyDelete(courtesy Reader's Digest )
And for your question - may be a book about oriental riches or eastern adventures would be apt for my home-address which is equivalent to a tongue twister !
DeleteDear Kokila, and yours is a lovely comment, thank you. I laughed when I read about Mrs. Bland, well done the Reader’s Digest for publishing it and to you for sharing it. xx
Just seeing the Sleeping Beauty picture, we (well husband) watched a version on the sci fi channel (he does watch such drivel) this afternoon. There were vague similarities to the story - but it is strange us seeing it and reading this post.
ReplyDeleteYou do make me laugh! Terry watches drivel too – I usually try to read while he has it on, but it is always so LOUD!
DeleteSo it's not only me who cringes at the loudness of the TV. I live in a small house with the dining bit at one end so the back of the TV with the speakers facing rear, gives out even more noise. Then he will ask me something and I struggle to hear. I have excellent hearing but he can't understand that it's louder from the rear than he is hearing!
DeleteYou are not alone! We have a TV in the sitting room where we both sit in the evening and another in the bedroom, I swear they only show black-and-white war films - it drives me mad, especially when I’m trying to read! I truly believe the saying about men being from Mars and sometimes think it’s time we sent them back … Not all the time, just sometimes :-)
DeleteI think it would be very rewarding finding books that people remember dearly.
ReplyDeleteIt really is Donna.
DeleteDear Barbara, at last I am trying to catch up and I always love your posts but this one is wonderful and it brought a smile. I dare not laugh or I will end up in a fit of coughing :-)
ReplyDeleteDear Shashi, I had to go straight to your blog to find out why you were coughing – so sorry to hear you have flu. Get well soon. x
Delete