"I decided right there, before the film was over and the lights came back up, to start giving books as gifts to the people I love. I thought maybe the people I hate should get mystery novels with the last chapter torn out, but for now it’s just good books for good people."
Matthew, I hope you know just how funny that center bit is. And cleverly done, so snugly wrapped up in honest warmth. My heartiest thanks and sincere respect.
Absolutely. And I love finding those messages in secondhand books. I especially enjoy the cryptic ones that make you wonder why the hell "Jim" needed East of Eden "to distract you from what you face next" (an actual inscription in one of my books). I once picked up a copy of Blankets by Craig Thompson, because the memoir so reminded me of my own childhood, and found a note written to a Matthew, from his sister who has the same name as one of my sisters, with my birthday as the signature date. If I were a superstitious man...
A relatable read - though it was my step-mum who introduced me to books as gifts. Her gift of Jonathan Livingston Seagull is my most treasured. We still go out and buy each other second hand books on our latest favorite genres a few times a year. I lucked out of step-parents for sure!
As a fellow awkward gift receiver/giver, books truly are irreplaceable. They are a window into the soul sometimes and we all like feeling seen. Great article - A
Hearing other people's stories about the books that formed part of the bonds with people they love is my favourite genre of anecdote. Thank you for sharing that about your step-mum and Jonathan Livingston Seagull. My deep dark secret is that I haven't yet read it, though everyone who has insists that I should. I will! Thanks again for reading and for commenting.
"I decided right there, before the film was over and the lights came back up, to start giving books as gifts to the people I love. I thought maybe the people I hate should get mystery novels with the last chapter torn out, but for now it’s just good books for good people."
Matthew, I hope you know just how funny that center bit is. And cleverly done, so snugly wrapped up in honest warmth. My heartiest thanks and sincere respect.
That's so kind of you to notice and to say, you really made my Sunday. It's great to have close readers noticing the little things.
My favourite thing about gifting books is writing a personal message inside the cover.
Absolutely. And I love finding those messages in secondhand books. I especially enjoy the cryptic ones that make you wonder why the hell "Jim" needed East of Eden "to distract you from what you face next" (an actual inscription in one of my books). I once picked up a copy of Blankets by Craig Thompson, because the memoir so reminded me of my own childhood, and found a note written to a Matthew, from his sister who has the same name as one of my sisters, with my birthday as the signature date. If I were a superstitious man...
Yes! That's so uncanny. The physical books can have a story of their own.
A relatable read - though it was my step-mum who introduced me to books as gifts. Her gift of Jonathan Livingston Seagull is my most treasured. We still go out and buy each other second hand books on our latest favorite genres a few times a year. I lucked out of step-parents for sure!
As a fellow awkward gift receiver/giver, books truly are irreplaceable. They are a window into the soul sometimes and we all like feeling seen. Great article - A
Hearing other people's stories about the books that formed part of the bonds with people they love is my favourite genre of anecdote. Thank you for sharing that about your step-mum and Jonathan Livingston Seagull. My deep dark secret is that I haven't yet read it, though everyone who has insists that I should. I will! Thanks again for reading and for commenting.
I’m glad your dad gave you those books because it allowed you to write this lovely essay. Thank you for sharing it!
Thank you for reading it! It's always gratifying to know when a piece of writing lands with someone.