Books I love and want to own.
I like to read books and pass them along so others can also enjoy them. Very occasionally I come across a book that I love so much I feel compelled to keep it and store it on my bookshelf.
The Gernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society by Marianne Shaffer and Annie Barrows was one such book. It’s predominantly written through letters and the story is fast-paced and compelling. I passed it along to a friend, but went out and bought two more copies; one to keep and the other to give to a friend. Over the years I’ve returned to this book and read it three times.
A couple of week ago I borrowed, A Fortune-Teller Told Me: Earthbound Travels in the Far East by Tiziano Teriano. I’m not into fortune teller, but I am into Asia, so started reading this memoir. Every page was amazing. Here’s what I wrote on Goodreads.
I loved this book. Terzani is a masterful storyteller. It is an interesting memoir about one year in his life, 1993. He listened to a fortune teller’s prediction and chose not to fly for that year. Instead he traveled by car, train, boat, rickshaw and foot. On all of his travels he met other fortune tellers and through the telling of their predictions, he was able to weave in his life story. If you can get your hands on a copy, read it. I hope you love it as much as I did.
Every minute I spent reading this book was a joy. It allowed me to compare my experiences in Asia with Teriano’s. As I approached the end of the book, I slowed my reading, not wanting the experience to finish. I suspected I would have to get a copy. A few days ago I passed the book on to a friend, before I return it to its owner. I missed having a copy in my possession. I wanted it on my bookshelf to pick it up from time to time and reread a paragraph, chapter or the whole story. I need my own copy and I’m also keen to find a fortune teller and have a reading.
Minutes ago I ordered a copy of The Fortune Teller Told Me... from The Book Depository and it should arrive in the next couple of weeks. I can’t wait.
Do you have books that you must own and keep on your bookshelf?