In Defense Of Good Old-Fashioned Books

My good buddies BJ Hoff and Cindy Swanson have been twittering today about how books make such excellent Christmas presents, and I couldn’t agree more.

I think the first time I truly became aware of the magic of a wonderful volume unwrapped on Christmas was when I, as a ten-year-old, read Little Women. Who can forget how the four sisters each opened a differently-colored Pilgrim’s Progress---obviously the story Marmee felt would most ably shape their young hearts during difficult times---plus one other small gift suited to their individual personalities?

Ever since, I’ve been thrilled to both give and receive coveted books at Christmas, when often the members of my family---after the gifts are all opened and before the feast is begun---find private nooks and crannies in which to preview their treasures. A hush descends upon the house for those few minutes, as fingers carefully turn new pages and eyes smile over the bounty of even the slimmest tome.

So, as the holiday season once again approaches, tell me: What’s the best book you’ve ever received as a gift? Is there a title you’ve given that was appreciated even more than you imagined it would be? And if you could receive only one book on your wish list this Christmas, which one would it be?

Sure, many of us will be cutting back on extravagances this year. I know we are, just like those Little Women did back in the day. But pity the Christmas when books become beyond our reach! For us, we’ll celebrate with good books even if most everything else falls by the way side.

How about you?

Posted by Katy McKenna on 11/17 at 02:54 PM

Fallible Comments...

The best book I ever got for Christmas was the complete works of Jane Austen. I think I was 14 or 15. I was SO disappointed! It wasn’t until I read Jane Austen in college that I realized what a treasure I’d been given so long ago.

This year. . . well, true confessions: I’ve already bought three books that are up in the closet, not to be looked at until Christmas Day. Each of my children will give me one. But I have another on my list that I happened across at the bookstore (ok, 2 more books): Looking for Anne of Green Gables: The Life and Times of L.M. Montgomery and Reading Like a Writer: A Guide For People Who Love Books And Those Who Want To Write Them.

I sure hope Santa reads your blog!

Posted by on 11/17 at 06:53 PM
One winter when I was little, my mother read Johanna Spyri’s Heidi to us one chapter a night--two if we could talk her into it--and I’ve loved that book ever since. My sister found an old 1959 British copy when she was in England for my niece’s wedding last summer and brought it home for me. I treasure it… along with all my various copies of Heidi. : )

Posted by Deb Raney on 11/18 at 10:22 AM
Growing up in a small town, my father, the pastor of a small town church and mother, his wife (like how that works out? LOL) didn’t have much money. However i always, always received books for Christmas and Birthdays. In fact, when i became an adult, i was sorely disappointed when i had to start buying my own books - though i’ve learned to enjoy doing so to the point that it feels like a holiday.

i think books at Christmas are one of the best presents ever. Many times during the Christmas vacation you can find us all at my parent’s house and most times there are at least three or four people (or more - we are 16 in all...18 with the dogs)curled up reading.

oh! i’m so excited for Christmas!!!

Posted by laura on 11/18 at 01:47 PM
I remember my first book gift, too: Charlotte’s Web. My godparents gave it to me, and though I’d already read it, I was thrilled. I turned to everyone and said “I’ve read this!” My mother was horrified, and gave me that “look.” I was so confused, and kept telling them, “NO, I’m really glad you gave it to me even if I have read it. Now I get to keep reading it over and over, and it’s MINE!” What can I say...I was only 8! Manners were a little fuzzy to me.

I still love Charlotte’s Web, and I still love to receive, and give, books as gifts!

Posted by Kelley Mathews on 11/19 at 07:35 AM
The best book I’ve ever received for Christmas would definitely be The Restorer by Sharon Hinck. I’d been waiting to buy it for seven months since it came out, and finally last Christmas I got it. And it was every bit as good as I’d expected—maybe even better.

One of the must-be-read books on my list this year is Dreaming in Black and White, by Laura Jensen Walker. I’ve already read the first chapter online so many times I can quote pieces of it by heart!

Posted by on 11/19 at 06:14 PM
My favorite book I’ve ever gotten as a present came from YOU when I was about 7 or 8. It was a Raggedy Ann book, and you put the nicest, most wonderful, sisterly inscription inside. I still have it in a special place in my heart and on my bookshelf! :)

Posted by on 11/20 at 07:53 AM
Wow, I can’t remember the first book I got. I was a horse fanatic in my early years (I have slightly mellowed) and the Black Stallion series and Black Beauty stand out. I have been giving books for years, a legacy my Mother passed on. We rescue old books from library sales, find great first editions of old favorites and generally have a huge collection of books. Our 3 yr old grand daughter already loves books too. I was glad to see BJ’s list, as I have already made a small dent there and will forward it to my family for my Christmas.
Keep reminding people of the wonders of books, Katie.

Posted by Sandi Thompson on 11/20 at 10:15 AM
I was given the Anne of Green Gables series by my Aunt one year, and I so absolutely adored it. Unfortunately, in all the various moves I made afterwards, most of the books have been lost, but I still have at least two.

This past year my belated Christmas present to my neice was Andrew Peterson’s book, “On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness”. She loves reading, and I hope she always will!

Posted by PattyT on 11/21 at 01:40 PM
Katy - It’s been a long time since I checked in on your blog; it is, as ever, delightful to read.

I L-O-V-E receiving books are presents and always have. As a kid, the 3 or so days after Christmas were always reserved for holing up somewhere and poring over all the books I’d received. Heaven. Last year I actually didn’t receive any books from anyone - the horror! Hopefully that will be rectified this year.

Posted by Bethany on 12/01 at 09:19 AM
I read a fantastic article.

Posted by napkin rings on 12/11 at 08:02 PM
Thanks for beautiful several minutes spent reading this

Posted by Tamagotchi Town on 12/18 at 07:39 AM

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Personal blog of christian writer & fallible mom Katy McKenna Raymond in Kansas City, Missouri Read more Katy at... LateBoomer.net Most Recent Posts Not For The Faint Of Heart New Math International House Of…..Watch Out! Have Yourself A Merry Little Colonoscopy! Spell Check You Are Not Alone Don’t Know Much About The Big Three Why, Oh Why Didn’t I Take Home Ec? Really, Really Fun While It Lasts! In Defense Of Good Old-Fashioned Books Things I’ve Said That I’m Happy Someone Else Didn’t Say First, One In An Ongoing Series Of Several Do Depression Meds Work For This? The T-Shirt Off Our Backs For The Fallible Record Long Time, No Blog Search Advanced Search Syndicate Login E me at katy @ ngenius.com	In Defense Of Good Old-Fashioned Books My good buddies BJ Hoff and Cindy Swanson have been twittering today about how books make such excellent Christmas presents, and I couldn’t agree more. I think the first time I truly became aware of the magic of a wonderful volume unwrapped on Christmas was when I, as a ten-year-old, read Little Women. Who can forget how the four sisters each opened a differently-colored Pilgrim’s Progress---obviously the story Marmee felt would most ably shape their young hearts during difficult times---plus one other small gift suited to their individual personalities? Ever since, I’ve been thrilled to both give and receive coveted books at Christmas, when often the members of my family---after the gifts are all opened and before the feast is begun---find private nooks and crannies in which to preview their treasures. A hush descends upon the house for those few minutes, as fingers carefully turn new pages and eyes smile over the bounty of even the slimmest tome. So, as the holiday season once again approaches, tell me: What’s the best book you’ve ever received as a gift? Is there a title you’ve given that was appreciated even more than you imagined it would be? And if you could receive only one book on your wish list this Christmas, which one would it be? Sure, many of us will be cutting back on extravagances this year. I know we are, just like those Little Women did back in the day. But pity the Christmas when books become beyond our reach! For us, we’ll celebrate with good books even if most everything else falls by the way side. How about you? Posted by Katy McKenna on 11/17 at 02:54 PM Fallible Comments... The best book I ever got for Christmas was the complete works of Jane Austen. I think I was 14 or 15. I was SO disappointed! It wasn’t until I read Jane Austen in college that I realized what a treasure I’d been given so long ago. This year. . . well, true confessions: I’ve already bought three books that are up in the closet, not to be looked at until Christmas Day. Each of my children will give me one. But I have another on my list that I happened across at the bookstore (ok, 2 more books): Looking for Anne of Green Gables: The Life and Times of L.M. Montgomery and Reading Like a Writer: A Guide For People Who Love Books And Those Who Want To Write Them. I sure hope Santa reads your blog! Posted by on 11/17 at 06:53 PM One winter when I was little, my mother read Johanna Spyri’s Heidi to us one chapter a night--two if we could talk her into it--and I’ve loved that book ever since. My sister found an old 1959 British copy when she was in England for my niece’s wedding last summer and brought it home for me. I treasure it… along with all my various copies of Heidi. : ) Posted by Deb Raney on 11/18 at 10:22 AM Growing up in a small town, my father, the pastor of a small town church and mother, his wife (like how that works out? LOL) didn’t have much money. However i always, always received books for Christmas and Birthdays. In fact, when i became an adult, i was sorely disappointed when i had to start buying my own books - though i’ve learned to enjoy doing so to the point that it feels like a holiday. i think books at Christmas are one of the best presents ever. Many times during the Christmas vacation you can find us all at my parent’s house and most times there are at least three or four people (or more - we are 16 in all...18 with the dogs)curled up reading. oh! i’m so excited for Christmas!!! Posted by laura on 11/18 at 01:47 PM I remember my first book gift, too: Charlotte’s Web. My godparents gave it to me, and though I’d already read it, I was thrilled. I turned to everyone and said “I’ve read this!” My mother was horrified, and gave me that “look.” I was so confused, and kept telling them, “NO, I’m really glad you gave it to me even if I have read it. Now I get to keep reading it over and over, and it’s MINE!” What can I say...I was only 8! Manners were a little fuzzy to me. I still love Charlotte’s Web, and I still love to receive, and give, books as gifts! Posted by Kelley Mathews on 11/19 at 07:35 AM The best book I’ve ever received for Christmas would definitely be The Restorer by Sharon Hinck. I’d been waiting to buy it for seven months since it came out, and finally last Christmas I got it. And it was every bit as good as I’d expected—maybe even better. One of the must-be-read books on my list this year is Dreaming in Black and White, by Laura Jensen Walker. I’ve already read the first chapter online so many times I can quote pieces of it by heart! Posted by on 11/19 at 06:14 PM My favorite book I’ve ever gotten as a present came from YOU when I was about 7 or 8. It was a Raggedy Ann book, and you put the nicest, most wonderful, sisterly inscription inside. I still have it in a special place in my heart and on my bookshelf! :) Posted by on 11/20 at 07:53 AM Wow, I can’t remember the first book I got. I was a horse fanatic in my early years (I have slightly mellowed) and the Black Stallion series and Black Beauty stand out. I have been giving books for years, a legacy my Mother passed on. We rescue old books from library sales, find great first editions of old favorites and generally have a huge collection of books. Our 3 yr old grand daughter already loves books too. I was glad to see BJ’s list, as I have already made a small dent there and will forward it to my family for my Christmas. Keep reminding people of the wonders of books, Katie. Posted by Sandi Thompson on 11/20 at 10:15 AM I was given the Anne of Green Gables series by my Aunt one year, and I so absolutely adored it. Unfortunately, in all the various moves I made afterwards, most of the books have been lost, but I still have at least two. This past year my belated Christmas present to my neice was Andrew Peterson’s book, “On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness”. She loves reading, and I hope she always will! Posted by PattyT on 11/21 at 01:40 PM Katy - It’s been a long time since I checked in on your blog; it is, as ever, delightful to read. I L-O-V-E receiving books are presents and always have. As a kid, the 3 or so days after Christmas were always reserved for holing up somewhere and poring over all the books I’d received. Heaven. Last year I actually didn’t receive any books from anyone - the horror! Hopefully that will be rectified this year. Posted by Bethany on 12/01 at 09:19 AM I read a fantastic article. Posted by napkin rings on 12/11 at 08:02 PM Thanks for beautiful several minutes spent reading this Posted by Tamagotchi Town on 12/18 at 07:39 AM Page 1 of 1 pages Name: Email: Location: URL: Add a fallible comment... Remember my personal information Notify me of follow-up comments? Please enter the word you see in the image below: Next entry: Really, Really Fun While It Lasts! 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In Defense Of Good Old-Fashioned Books

Personal blog of christian
writer & fallible mom
Katy McKenna Raymond
in Kansas City, Missouri