My Bookshelf

Well, well, I've been tagged by Molly at Bumbles Blog to participate in the Bookshelf meme.

"It quickly becomes apparent from reading book blogs that books are not only a collection of words on paper, but also physical objects that we treasure."

And so it goes...

Tell me about the book that has been on your shelves the longest:

This is a tricky one because while I have always had book shelves, books have come and gone with ease. Books find me and friends and family have always found books they needed to take home with them. A few find their way back but most don't. I honestly don't know which book has been around the longest. Weird, huh?

Tell me about a book that reminds you of something specific in your life (i.e. a person, a place, a time, etc.):

I picked up this book while on a vacation in Alaska. I first learned of it while staying in a cabin on the road where Alexander headed off into the wilderness just outside of Denali National Park. Going to Alaska was something I'd wanted to do for a long time and I loved it. I guess in some way I can relate to Alexander's pull toward experiencing the wildness "up north."



Tell me about a book you acquired in some interesting way (gift, serendipity in a used book store, prize, etc.):

I was using the restroom in an airport (I think in Washington DC) and noticed a paperback book on the shelf in the stall. I picked it up and looked at its cover. The book was "Change Me Into Zeus's Daughter" by Barbara Robinette Moss. I love memoirs so I thought to myself, "Self, this looks pretty good." I came out of the stall with the book and washed up. While washing up, I put the book out where everyone could see it in case the person who left it behind was still there. I as was leaving with the book in hand, a woman entered the restroom and noticed that I had the book. She said something like, "Oh, you found it. Actually, you can have it because I just finished it, if you want. I just need the note inside." So, we found the note. I thanked her and told her it looked like something I'd like to read. She was happy; I was happy. Serendipity.

Tell me about the most recent addition to your shelves:

"Such a Pretty Fat" by Jen Lacaster

Tell me about a book that has been with you to the most places:

I don't know...

Tell me about a bonus book that doesn't fit any of the above questions:

I ended up buying two copies of "Into The Wild" in Alaska because I discovered to my horror at the Anchorage airport that I had packed the book (otherwise known as "the precious") away in my luggage and not in my carry on bag. Thankfully, Mosquito Books came to my emotional rescue.

The Rules

1. Tag 3-5 people, so the fun keeps going!
2. Leave a comment at the original post at A Striped Armchair, so that Eva can collect everyone’s answers.
3. If you leave a comment and link back to Eva as the meme’s creator, she will enter you in a book giveaway contest! She has a whole shelf devoted to giveaway books that you’ll be able to choose from, or a bookmooch point if you prefer.
4. Remember that this is all about enjoying books as physical objects, so feel free to describe the exact book you’re talking about, down to that warping from being dropped in the bath water…
5. Make the meme more fun with visuals! Covers of the specific edition you’re talking about, photos of your bookshelves, etc.

So, Jenners, Pam and Dawn, what's the story with your bookshelves?