It's a good question.
As a teenager, I was especially fond of the classics and read many of them. I also read plenty of poetry. Even then, I was drawn to books that seemed to have history to them.
I read a lot of new material from publishers, agents, and authors, but I’ve continued to focus on collecting older books, and my collection keeps growing. There is just something about an old book—the feel of it, the pages, and the thought of all the hands that have held it before mine.
On this page, I'll continue to update and write mostly about vintage and antique books I have obtained, with a few exceptions. Since I'm continually adding to my poetry collection, I've moved the poetry collection to its own page at the Poetry from the Loft
Why This Book?
There is usually a reason a particular book finds its way onto my shelves. Sometimes it is an old edition with a beautiful cover, sometimes a book I have been meaning to read, and sometimes a story—or an author—that simply catches my attention. These are some of the books I have chosen for myself and the stories behind those choices.
Classics & Beloved Stories
Jane Eyre — Charlotte Brontë
I attended a Fall Festival, and a vendor was selling a few older books. I was thrilled to purchase a 1943 hardbound copy of Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë. I also have a Manga Classic of Jane Eyre. This is a coming-of-age story. Jane Eyre is orphaned, and we see her grow into a strong, independent woman. She finds a home as a governess at Thornfield Hall, where the estate’s master is Mr. Rochester. As we learn of the secrets, we see her respond with determination and love.
Charlotte initially received some criticism because Jane Eyre was considered too passionate and unconventional for some Victorian reviewers of the time. I love that Jane doesn't want to be rescued simply because she's a woman. She wants to be loved without becoming less of herself.
Charlotte was just 38 years old when she died. I did want to point out that Charlotte's life was filled with tragedy. She lost her mom when she was only five years old, and Charlotte outlived her five siblings.
Wuthering Heights — Emily Brontë originally published 1847
I read Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë years ago. Emily wrote the book under the pen name Ellis Bell. I recently learned Brontë published the novel in 1847. The first edition was published in three volumes, with the third containing Agnes Grey, written by her sister Anne.
It's a story of love, revenge, and obsession set against the wild, windswept Yorkshire moors. The part I find especially interesting is how Brontë uses nature throughout the story. The wild, windswept moors reflect the strong emotions and untamed spirits of Catherine and Heathcliff. Nature isn't just a backdrop; it feels like part of the story itself. The contrast between the open moors and the more refined Thrushcross Grange adds another layer to the novel. It's a reminder of how closely people can be connected to the natural world around them.
Sadly, this is the only book Emily would write. She died just a year after Wuthering Heights was published, never knowing how well her only novel would stand the test of time. Her sister Anne died the following year in 1949.
Tess of the D'Urbervilles — Thomas Hardy 1891
Tess of the D'Urbervilles subtitled A Pure Woman Faithfully, by Thomas Hardy. This story was published as a censored graphic in 1891 and later that year in a three-volume book form. The single volume was published the second year in 1892.
I knew this story was a classic but had not read it. I picked up a paperback copy at my county's recycling center. Hardy brings the English countryside to life, which is one of the things I enjoy about older books. This book was a very emotional read for me. Tess tries to make the best of things, but life doesn't always treat her kindly. Within the first 10 pages of this story, we witness a comparison of women to property. At the mention of the reading of The Compleat Fortune Teller, we expect that there will be a life full of great sorrow and longing. As we read on, that is just what we find.
The Hobbit — J.R.R. Tolkien published 1937
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien, first published in 1937. The Hobbit follows Bilbo Baggins (love that name), a home-loving hobbit who finds himself on an unexpected adventure with a group of dwarves. Along the way, he encounters trolls, elves, and a dragon named Smaug.
I wish my copy was an older edition, but I like the feel of this book in hand, and the story is wonderful too. I purchased a Deluxe Pocket Edition. My copy uses the 1995 text, and it is beautifully bound in leatherette with gold-gilt edges.
Frankenstein — Mary Shelley 1818
You can never have too many copies of Frankenstein. Here's one I picked up because I liked the cover.( It's not as scary as most of the covers.)
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein was first published in 1818. It tells the story of a young scientist who creates life, only to discover that his experiment has consequences he never expected. It's a story about ambition, loneliness, and responsibility, with plenty to think about beyond the familiar image of Frankenstein's monster
Shelley used three narrators' perspectives in Frankenstein. Most people will tell you that it was created this way so one might understand the complexities of time and the structure of the novel. I believe Mary may have used three perspectives because she was in competition with Percy Shelley, Lord Byron, and physician John Polidori to see who could create the best horror story. Mary likely imagined each of them narrating different scenes as a way to boost her own creativity.
The Great Gatsby, The Scarlet Letter, Pride and Prejudice, and Jonathan Livingston Seagull
The Great Gatsby, The Scarlet Letter, Pride and Prejudice, and Jonathan Livingston Seagull. I picked these paperbacks up. I have read the books before and may even have some hardbound copies around here, but I like to collect classics, so I made room for these too. I have read the graphic novel of The Scarlet Letter as well. English writer George Eliot called The Scarlet Letter, along with The Song of Hiawatha, the two most indigenous and masterly productions in American literature.
Pride and Prejudice — Jane Austen 1813
Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice has been charming readers for more than 200 years, and it is easy to see why. Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy, with their misunderstandings, strong opinions, and undeniable chemistry, have become two of literature's most memorable characters. This Prentice-Hall edition is another reminder that some stories simply never go out of style. I have many copies of this, and I also have a collection of her works in one book. Lately, I've been leaning towards Mansfield Park being a favorite, but that has not always been the case. You can read more about my Austen Collection on my Books to Film page.
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland — Charles Dodgson under his pen name Lewis Carroll 1865
Published in 1865, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland is one of those books that never really grows old. I have many copies of it. Alice falls down a rabbit hole and finds herself in a world where nothing quite makes sense, and that is part of the fun. Filled with unforgettable characters, clever wordplay, and plenty of nonsense, Lewis Carroll created a story that can be read as a children's adventure or enjoyed for the imagination behind it. There is something wonderfully curious about following Alice through a world where the rules keep changing, and the unexpected is always just around the corner. I also have Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There. I purchased this from Turn the Page Books & More.
The Swiss Family Robinson Johann David Wyss 1812
The Swiss Family Robinson I believe this story was in a stack of books I bought in Allen, Michigan; it has remained a favorite for many generations. After a shipwreck leaves a family stranded on an island, they have to use their imagination, resourcefulness, and each other to survive. I read this story when young and purchased this World's Popular Classics edition to add to my collection. It is a wonderful reminder of how some stories keep finding new readers.
Little Women — Louisa May Alcott 1868
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott is one of those books that becomes richer as you get older. My mother is one of 4 sisters, so I was initially curious to see if their lives, a century apart, had any similarities. I have many copies of this book because I love it and can't seem to pass it by.
Published in 1868, it follows the grand adventures of the four March sisters—Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy—as they grow up during the Civil War while their father is away serving as a chaplain.
When the March sisters' father goes off to war, they assist their mother with things that need to be tended to in their father's absence. They also entertain friends and behave like little women. My stand-out memory of this read was the challenges they faced and the severity of illness they encountered.
The March sisters are closely modeled on Alcott and her three sisters. When you're reading Jo scribbling away at her stories, you're getting a glimpse of Louisa May Alcott. Alcott wrote constantly. She wanted financial independence and used writing to help support her family. She even wrote some sensational stories under a pseudonym before Little Women made her famous.
Little Men — Louisa M. Alcott 1871
Little Men by Louisa M. Alcott, 1871. I only have one copy that I can recall of this book. One thing I find interesting about Little Men is how much of Plumfield came from real life. Louisa May Alcott's father, Bronson Alcott, believed children learned through experience, nature, conversation, and creativity, and those ideas found their way into Jo's school. So Little Men is more than a continuation of Little Women. There is a little piece of the Alcott family and their own ideas about raising and educating children tucked into it. And I always enjoy seeing what became of Jo. She was such a spirited girl in Little Women, and she certainly didn't lose that part of herself.
The Pilgrim's Progress — John Bunyan 1678
The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan was first published in 1678, but what makes this book even more interesting to me is its connection to Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln had very few books as a boy, and The Pilgrim's Progress was one of the books he read.
I purchased an antique. The cover is worn, but the pages are pristine, and it reads well. I think there is something special about knowing that a young Abraham Lincoln was turning the pages of this same story more than a hundred years after it was written. The story follows Christian on his journey from the City of Destruction to the Celestial City, meeting people and facing places along the way with names like Faithful, Hopeful, Giant Despair, and Doubting Castle. I believe I got this at an estate sale.
The Life and Adventures of Robinson Crusoe — Daniel Defoe 1719
The Life and Adventures of Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe. I read this as a young girl, and most of us know Robinson Crusoe as the man stranded on an island. It’s basically a story about human determination and what we can accomplish when we have to rely on ourselves. I love the fact that his story has a real-life connection. Defoe drew inspiration from Alexander Selkirk, a Scottish sailor who actually spent more than four years alone on an island. When Defoe's book appeared in 1719, it was written as though Crusoe himself were telling his story, and some readers believed it was a true account. But in fact, a real castaway helped inspire one of literature's most famous fictional survivors.
The Curiosity Shop — Charles Dickens 1840-1841
The Curiosity Shop is another Charles Dickens novel. The novel was originally published in installments in Dickens' weekly periodical Master Humphrey's Clock in 1840–41. Readers had to wait for each installment. As Nell's story progressed, people became desperate to know whether she would survive. There are stories of American readers waiting at the docks for ships carrying the newest installment, calling out to arriving passengers asking, essentially, “Is Little Nell dead?” I adore my book and find the faded cover beautiful. I purchased this at a preloved bookstore.
A Christmas Carol — Charles Dickens 1843
Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol was my 2017 gifted book. I have many different copies of it. Some are vintage, but none are antique. Dickens is one of my favorite authors, and I read this as a child and revisit it often. I feel it teaches so many valuable life lessons. I purchased this at the Salvation Army thrift store.
Great Expectations — Charles Dickens 1860- 1861
Charles Dickens' Great Expectations. The novel was first published as a serial in Dickens's weekly periodical from 1860 to August 1861. Then in October 1861, Chapman & Hall published the novel in three volumes. This is a story about ambition, class, love, disappointment, and the lessons that come with growing up. Pip suddenly finds himself with the opportunity to become a gentleman, but along the way discovers that money and status don't necessarily bring happiness. There are memorable characters, unexpected turns, and plenty of heart in this classic. Sometimes what looks like a great expectation turns out to be a lesson in what really matters. I purchased this at a preloved bookstore.
David Copperfield — Charles Dickens 1850
Charles Dickens' David Copperfield is a coming-of-age story filled with hardship, heartache, friendship, and the people who shape us along the way. The Personal History, Adventures, Experience and Observation of David Copperfield the Younger of Blunderstone Rookery, was published in 1850.
David's journey takes him from a difficult childhood into adulthood as he learns who he can trust, what it means to love, and how the choices we make can change the course of our lives. Dickens gives us memorable characters, moments of humor, and plenty of heart. It is one of those older books that reminds us why some stories continue to find readers generation after generation. I purchased this at a preloved bookstore.
Oliver Twist — Charles Dickens 1837 - 1838
Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist, was published serially under the pseudonym Boz from 1837 to 1839 in Bentley’s Miscellany and in a three-volume book in 1838.
This story takes us into Victorian London, where an orphaned boy is left to make his way through a world filled with poverty, crime, and people willing to take advantage of the vulnerable. Yet, through all the hardship, Oliver's goodness remains at the heart of the story. Dickens gives us unforgettable characters, a little humor, and plenty of social commentary along the way. It is a story about survival, compassion, and the hope of finding a better life. I purchased this at a preloved bookstore.
A Tale of Two Cities — Charles Dickens 1859
A Tale of Two Cities takes us between London and Paris during the turmoil of the French Revolution. At the heart of the story is love, sacrifice, loyalty, and the choices people make when life is anything but simple. Dickens captures both the violence and injustice of the time while giving us characters whose lives become deeply connected. A powerful story of courage and sacrifice, with an ending that is difficult to forget. I purchased this at a preloved bookstore.
The Battle of Life — Charles Dickens 1846
I selected a newer hardbound copy of The Battle of Life: A Love Story, which is an 1846 novel by Charles Dickens. This was selected because I'm quite smitten with Dickens. His keen eye for observation and exaggeration of characters' traits amuse me. Dickens appears fascinated by the idea that people can “win” life's battles by giving something up rather than by defeating someone else.
Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson 1883
My copy is published by McLoughlin Bros. and Illustrated. Pirates, buried treasure, and adventure have kept readers coming back to Treasure Island for generations. This McLoughlin Bros. edition adds another reason to appreciate the book: its full-page color illustration. I read a paperback edition when young, and years ago I bought this antique hardbound copy to add to my collection.
Heidi Johanna Spyri 1880 and 1881
Johanna Spyri’s Heidi is a children's classic about a young girl who finds happiness and a sense of belonging in the Swiss Alps. This is a story of family, friendship, and the simple pleasures of life. Children's classics have a special place in literary history, and older editions are a lovely way to revisit these familiar stories. I have many hardbound copies of this book. My oldest is a Garden City, NY edition.
The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer 1387 - 1400
Written centuries ago, my hardbound publication is from 1928. The Canterbury Tales brings together a group of pilgrims who share stories as they travel to Canterbury. Chaucer's tales offer humor, memorable characters, and a glimpse into medieval life. I appreciate having classic works like this represented in my collection, especially in an older edition that has its own history.
Silas Marner — George Eliot 1861
George Eliot’s Silas Marner was published in 1861. I have an old edition of this book and also have a guide. It tells the story of a lonely weaver who has withdrawn from the world after being betrayed by someone he trusted. His life changes when a little girl named Eppie comes into his care. What follows is a story about love, trust, and the unexpected ways our lives can change.
Middlemarch - George Eliot 1871- 1872
This story was published in the pen name of Mary Ann Evans. It appeared in eight paper-bound instalments from December 1871 to December 1872, with a book version in four volumes published in parallel ( first volume dated 1871). I have this on my list to obtain. I only have a guide to this book.
White Fang (1906) The Call of the Wild (1903) - Jack London
Reading White Fang and The Call of the Wild when I was young left me with an appreciation for Jack London and his love of the natural world. I love his short stories, too, and the way he can draw readers into a story while giving us something to think about. His writing takes us into the wild, where nature is both beautiful and unforgiving. I appreciate how he explores the strength and instincts of both people and animals, along with the courage, loyalty, and determination it takes to survive.
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde 1890
Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray first appeared in Lippincott’s Monthly Magazine in 1890. Wilde later revised and expanded the story into a novel, which was published in 1891. He added six chapters, bringing the total from 13 to 20, along with a preface that became well known.
The story follows Dorian Gray, a handsome young man who wishes that his portrait would grow old while he remains young. As Dorian becomes more interested in beauty and pleasure, the portrait begins to show the effects of his choices. It reads like a Gothic horror story. It is a dark story about vanity, temptation, and the consequences of how we live our lives.
Brave New World — Aldous Huxley 1932
I read Brave New World when I was 17, many years ago. I still remember that my parents had to sign a slip giving permission for me to read it! Published in 1932, this dystopian classic explores a future where society controls nearly every aspect of people's lives. It's interesting to look back at a book I read as a teenager and remember the circumstances surrounding it.
Brave New World revolves around the idea of a centralized government system in the future where test-tube babies and hypnotism are utilized. In this society, brainwashing and promiscuity are prevalent, and genetically programmed beings do the brunt of menial work. This book taught me about the concept of conditioningThe Diary of a Young Girl, Anne Frank 1947
I read a paperback copy of this book when I was a teenager. The initial publication was in 1947. This is the first collection of writings I read from a young girl fleeing the horrors of Nazi occupation forces with her family. They hid in an Amsterdam office building for two years.
Anne started this spirit-filled diary in 1942 and showed a great sense of purpose in editing her own diary. It's an emotional read, perhaps more so, as Anne's outcome is well known.
The Outsiders 1967
I read a paperback copy of this book when I was a teenager. First published in 1967, this book is another prime example of how age doesn't matter when it comes to the ability to communicate feelings with words.
Susan Eloise Hinton was 15 when she started writing this novel and 18 when it was published. I thought she was brilliant in drawing us in by naming the protagonist Ponyboy Curtis and another, Sodapop. You have rival gangs, the Socs (rich kids) and the Greasers (Ponyboy's group). I recently watched the movie again and thought Hinton was extremely bold in killing off 3 characters.
Lord of the Flies by William Golding
I read a paperback copy of this book when I was a teenager. Published in 1954, Lord of the Flies tells the story of a group of schoolboys stranded on an uninhabited island who must find a way to govern themselves. This 1954 novel by Nobel Prize-winning British author William Golding really moved me.
We'll start with a plane crash, and schoolboys stranded far from civilization. They enjoy their freedom for a time, but when roles were challenged, there was chaos and death. There are many parts of this book that are brilliant, like the focus on the conch, the parachutist, and the importance of sunglasses. This book shows cliques, destruction, and governing. I felt it was an excellent description of how our expectations can change our perception and how this affects those around us.
Older & Antique Books
Mrs. E.D.E.N. Southworth
I have a few hardbound books by Mrs. E.D.E.N. Southworth. I selected her works when I learned that she had been deserted by her husband and took up writing to support herself and her children.
The Fortune Seeker, published in 1866, has all the ingredients of a nineteenth-century page-turner—love, money, family secrets, deception, and changing fortunes. Southworth was hugely popular in her day, and I can imagine readers eagerly turning the pages to see what would happen next.
The Family Doom, published in 1872, is another wonderfully dramatic example of the novels nineteenth-century readers loved. Family secrets, love, betrayal, and choices that come back to haunt the characters all play a part.
Ishmael, or In the Depths, 1884
I purchased a hardbound copy of Ishmael at Pierce Bookstore. “Ishmael” comes from the Old Testament. Southworth uses the name for her central character, who is an outsider and faces rejection and hardship. The subtitle, In the Depths, hints at the difficult circumstances he must overcome. Ishmael was turned into an American silent film called Hearts of Youth.
The Brass Bowl — Louis Joseph Vance 1907
At Book ReViews Blaze of Lights book sale, I purchased the lovely The Brass Bowl by Louis Joseph Vance, with illustrations by Orson Lowell. The Brass Bowl lets you step into the popular reading world of 1907 and gives you a glimpse of Vance before his most famous creation really took over his career.
Eben Holden — Irving Bacheller 1900
Eben Holden: A Tale of the North Country by Irving Bacheller was published in 1900 and became one of the popular American novels of its day. What makes it especially interesting to me is how much of the story came from real life. Bacheller based many of his characters on people he had known, including Eben Holden himself. Eben becomes an important part of young William Brierly's life after William is left an orphan. The story follows their lives through changing times, including the Civil War, but it's the people and their relationships that make the book memorable.
Young Lives — Richard Le Gallienne
There is something special about holding a book that is more than 125 years old. Young Lives by Richard Le Gallienne was published in 1899 and follows young people trying to find their own way while dealing with family expectations. I love knowing that Le Gallienne drew from some of his own experiences, giving this old book a little more of the author himself. I purchased this at Book Reviews.
A Devotee and a Darling 1903
Published in 1903, A Devotee and a Darling is a light, romantic story with the charm of an earlier time. The title alone gives you a little hint of the relationship at the heart of the story, with devotion, affection, and the complications that can come with both. It is a fun look at the kind of romantic storytelling readers enjoyed more than a century ago—and another charming find for an old bookshelf, as it includes some illustrations.
John Dietrich and Other Tales from Germany
John Dietrich and Other Tales from Germany is a collection of stories that offers a glimpse into German storytelling and traditions. There is something especially charming about finding an older collection like this, particularly one printed in Great Britain. These stories carry a sense of another time and place, making the book interesting not only for the tales themselves, but for the history tucked inside its pages. I purchased this lovely book at NeverMore Used Books.
Knapsack and Rifle: One of the Boys 1887
Knapsack and Rifle: One of the Boys, 1887. I purchased this from Turn the Page Books & More. I love antique books and appreciate that this one contains personal reminiscences, narratives, and illustrations. I also love the red cloth cover and the gold and black gilding on this book.
Mosses from an Old Manse — Nathaniel Hawthorne 1846
Mosses from an Old Manse is such a lovely old volume of Nathaniel Hawthorne's short stories. There is something especially appealing about finding a book like this with its beautiful red, black, and gold cloth cover and the charm of a much earlier time. The stories themselves make this a wonderful way to spend some time with Hawthorne, and the old publisher's material tucked into the back makes the book even more interesting to explore.
The Short-Story — W. Patterson Atkinson and others 1916
The Short-Story, W. Patterson Atkinson, 1916, is a wonderful little look at the art of the short story, with an introduction to the form followed by stories from some of the best-known writers of the nineteenth century. Washington Irving, Edgar Allan Poe, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Bret Harte, Robert Louis Stevenson, and Rudyard Kipling are included. It is a lovely old book!
Robert Browning by William Lyon Phelps 1912
I bought this book years ago at an antique store in Allen, Michigan. Robert Browning by William Lyon Phelps was first published in 1912 and is dedicated to James Whitcomb Riley.
I’ve always been rather fond of Robert Browning’s poetry, especially the nature imagery in A Lover’s Quarrel. I wanted to learn more about the man behind the poems and the life that helped shape his writing.
History, America & The Past
The History of the American People 1918
The History of the American People by Charles A. Beard and William C. Bagley, with a 1918 copyright, is another wonderful piece of my older-book collection. What I find especially interesting is that this was written as Americans were living through the time of World War I. So while it was telling the story of America's past, it has now become a little piece of history itself.
History of Our Country 1923
History of Our Country, 1923. This 1923 History of Our Country was created for higher-grade students and is filled with maps, photographs, drawings, and illustrations. More than 100 years later, it gives us a glimpse not only into American history, but into how that history was being taught to another generation.
American Literature
American Literature by Alphonso G. Newcomer, my 1911 edition, is one of those old books that makes me curious about the people who read it before me. It was written as a study of American writers and their work, and I enjoy looking through it now and seeing the names that were already considered important more than a hundred years ago. There is something I really like about that. We have our own lists of favorite authors and books today, but someone in 1911 was opening this same book and learning about American literature in their own time.
An Incomplete History of World War II 2007
An Incomplete History of World War II by Edwin Kiester Jr. I think I picked this up at an estate sale. I am a daughter of a WWII veteran, and I appreciate military history. It does include many images I had not seen before.
Caesar's Commentaries
Caesar's Commentaries, Kelsey, 1918. I love finding little details in old books, and this 1918 edition has some great ones. It includes maps of Caesar's campaigns and battles, making it possible to follow where he traveled and fought. More than 100 years later, those maps give this old book a wonderful connection to the history it describes.
Young Mexico 1934
Young Mexico by Anne Merriman Peck was published in 1934 and gives readers a glimpse into Mexican life through its people, traditions, schools, markets, and everyday customs. Peck also illustrated the book herself, adding another interesting layer to this 1934 edition. More than 90 years later, it offers a fascinating look at Mexico through the eyes of another generation.
The Last Farmer
Published in 1988, The Last Farmer by Howard Kohn takes us into the changing world of American farming. It is a look at the people, land, and traditions caught between an older way of life and a future that is rapidly changing. There is something especially interesting about a book that captures farming at a particular moment in time. It reminds us that behind the fields and harvests are families, hard work, and a way of life that can easily disappear before we realize what we have lost.
Children's Books, Readers & Schoolbooks
The Seven Little Sisters Who Live on the Round Ball That Floats in the Air
Published in 1861, The Seven Little Sisters Who Live on the Round Ball That Floats in the Air by Jane Andrews is such a charming old children's book. The seven sisters each live in a different part of the world, giving young readers a peek into different countries, customs, and ways of life. My copy is illustrated and includes a memorial to Jane Andrews in the front, which makes it feel like more than just a book—it is a little piece of history.
Honey Bunch: Her First Twin Playmates
Honey Bunch: Her First Twin Playmates by Helen Louise Thorndyke, published in 1941, is No. 22 in the Honey Bunch series. Honey Bunch meets twin girls, May and June, while traveling with her family, and the three soon find themselves having adventures together. What makes this little book especially fun is that “Helen Louise Thorndyke” was actually a Stratemeyer Syndicate house name, and this volume was written by Mildred A. Wirt Benson—one of the women behind the early Nancy Drew books, which I also read when much younger.
Helen's Babies
Helen's Babies, John Habberton, 1876. Two mischievous little boys, one unsuspecting uncle, and ten days that quickly become an adventure. Told with plenty of humor, this charming 1876 classic offers a delightful look at childhood from the perspective of its weary and outnumbered uncle, “their latest victim.” I purchased this up in the vintage book section of NeverMore Used Bookstore.
Thought Tests, Second Grade
Thought Tests, Second Grade, published in 1926, is such an interesting little book. It gives a charming glimpse into what children were expected to know and how they were taught 100 years ago.
Story Adventures Fourth Reader
Story Adventures Fourth Reader, 1925, is a charming look at the kind of stories children were reading in the 1920s. It is filled with tales meant to entertain while quietly teaching lessons along the way.
The Nancy Drew mysteries Carolyn Keene (the name used by the authors who wrote the Nancy Drew mysteries)
The Nancy Drew mysteries have a special place in the world of classic books. Nancy is curious, clever, and always ready to follow a clue wherever it might lead. I love the mix of mystery and adventure in these stories, along with the chance to piece things together as the story unfolds. There is something comforting about returning to these older books, where a good mystery keeps us turning the pages and reminds us why certain stories continue to be enjoyed generation after generation.
First Steps with American and British Authors &
The Fifth Reader
During a harvest festival, I picked up a couple of old readers: First Steps with American and British Authors by Albert F. Blaisdell, 1888, before anthologies became enormous collections of excerpts; a book like this could serve as a child's introduction to a lifetime of reading.
I also picked up The Fifth Reader from the American Book Company, 1879, part of Appletons' School Readers, with the three authors William Torrey Harris, Andrew J. Rickoff, and Mark Bailey. A Yale elocution instructor, Bailey helped shape what generations of American schoolchildren were taught to sound like when they read aloud.
Essentials of Plane Geometry
Published in 1923, Essentials of Plane Geometry by Smith is a look back at how geometry was taught more than a century ago. The book covers the fundamentals of plane geometry through definitions, theorems, proofs, and problems. What makes an older textbook like this interesting today is not only the mathematics, but seeing the careful, methodical way students were expected to learn. It is a wonderful little glimpse into the classroom of another time.
Stories of Ohio
Stories of Ohio, published in 1896 by Anna Temple Lovering, M.D., is such a charming little glimpse into Ohio's past. Rather than simply giving dates and facts, Lovering tells the stories behind the people and places that helped shape the state. For an Ohio reader, there is something especially lovely about discovering these early stories from more than a century ago.
Memoirs, Biographies & Real Lives
The Year of Magical Thinking — Joan Didion
The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion. I had been watching some old interviews with Joan Didion and found myself intrigued by the way she spoke and the thoughts she shared. There was something about her that made me want to know more, so when it came time to choose a book, I asked for this one.
She wrote about her husband's death while her daughter was critically ill. One of her most memorable examples involves John's shoes. She couldn't bring herself to give them away because, on some level, she thought he might come back and need them. She knew intellectually that he was dead, but grief created a strange separation between what she knew and what she could emotionally accept. How sad! She wasn't only losing her husband. She was losing the person with whom she had shared her intellectual life. She would always go to him first to ask him to read her work, and he was no longer there.
The Museum of Forgotten Memories — Anstey Harris
The Museum of Forgotten Memories by Anstey Harris. I purchased this book at a bookstore, and what I love about this setting is that it invites me to not only immerse myself in the present struggles of the characters but also reflect on the haunting echoes of the past—the lives and losses that stretch back generations. As I read, I found myself thinking about my own life, and about my dog, Buddy, who was lying with me. The comfort of having him at that moment was not lost on me. Then, my husband walked in and captured a photo of us which you will find at the link above. It was a simple yet meaningful moment that I was happy to preserve, ensuring it doesn't become a forgotten memory.
Teacher Man — Frank McCourt 2005
Teacher Man by Frank McCourt. I picked this book up at my local thrift store. I was curious about his years teaching. McCourt wrote this memoir a few years before his death and provides us with his interpretation of the ups and downs of his years teaching school.
Angela's Ashes - Frank McCourt - 1996
I'm in the process of reading this book.
My Several Worlds — Pearl S. Buck
There is something so simple and lovely about my 1954 edition of My Several Worlds. The turquoise cover with its understated gold lettering and Buck's signature caught my eye right away. Inside is her memoir of the many places, people, and experiences that shaped her life and writing.
Memories of Oscar Wilde
Memories of Oscar Wilde by George Bernard Shaw. I got this book at Happy Historian Bookstore and went down to the river and sat and read it. What makes this little book special to me is that George Bernard Shaw wasn't simply writing about Oscar Wilde from a distance. He had actually known him. So this is less a formal biography and more a literary recollection—a glimpse of Wilde through the eyes of another major writer.
Virginia Woolf — Quentin Bell
Published in 1972, Quentin Bell brings us into the life of his aunt, Virginia Woolf, in this detailed biography. Being part of the family gives the book an intimacy that makes it especially interesting, as Bell knew the woman behind the writer. From her childhood and family life to Bloomsbury, her marriage to Leonard Woolf, her writing, friendships, and struggles, this is a portrait of a complicated and remarkable woman. There is plenty here for anyone interested in Woolf, but also in the person behind the pages.
Memoirs
Memoirs are books I appreciate more as I grow older. I like that they can inspire and guide readers facing similar challenges. So I picked up these four by celebrities and thoroughly enjoyed them.
Authors & Collections
Gene Stratton-Porter
Gene Stratton-Porter: A Literary Examination. I have always appreciated Gene Stratton-Porter's work as a naturalist, and I enjoy hiking at the Limberlost. I purchased this around Christmas time in 2019 at Next Page Bookstore & More. The collection by Bertrand F. Richards includes an analysis of passages. I appreciate that he shows the significance of the Limberlost and the fact that Stratton-Porter's family often played a key part in her writing. I also appreciate that he examines her reclusive side.
I have also enjoyed time at the author's Limberlost home in Geneva, Indiana, her home in Rome City, and the Ceylon Covered Bridge and Literary Examination.
Mary Higgins Clark
This shows just a small part of my Mary Higgins Clark collection. I have quite a few more, but Mom and I have always shared our love of her books. There is something special about having an author you can enjoy together, and Mary Higgins Clark has certainly been one of those authors for us.
John Steinbeck (1902–1968)
To a God Unknown, published in 1933, is an early novel that already shows his strong connection to the land and the people who depend upon it. The story follows Joseph Wayne, who leaves Vermont for California to build a new life. Family, nature, faith, and the land all become deeply connected as the story unfolds. There is something almost haunting about this one, and it offers an interesting look at Steinbeck before the books most of us know him for.
Cannery Row 1945 I picked up a 123-page paperback copy of Cannery Row by John Steinbeck at our county's recycling center.
There is more to Cannery Row than its collection of colorful characters and amusing episodes. I came away from Cannery Row thinking about how much we can learn by paying attention to the people around us. We may not be able to fix someone else's troubles, and we cannot always know what another person is carrying. But we can offer kindness, remember our own difficult seasons, and try not to judge someone simply because their life looks different from ours.
The Wayward Bus, published in 1947, brings a group of strangers together on an old bus traveling through California. What begins as an ordinary trip takes a turn when the bus breaks down, leaving everyone stranded together. As they wait, their hopes, troubles, and secrets begin to surface. I like how Steinbeck could take an ordinary situation and make it about so much more. I love that Steinbeck notices the little things, and his characters are human and often flawed or overlooked.
Travels with Charley: In Search of America is another John Steinbeck book I love. In 1960, at 58, Steinbeck set out across America in a camper he named Rocinante, with his standard poodle, Charley, along for the ride. What I love most is that he wasn't simply traveling to see places. He wanted to meet people, hear their stories, and get a feel for the country. And really, how could I not enjoy a book called Travels with Charley when one of the travelers is a poodle?
Published in 1961, Steinbeck's final novel The Winter of Our Discontent explores morality, ambition, and the temptation to compromise what is right for the sake of getting ahead. Ethan Allen Hawley has always tried to live by his principles, but changing circumstances make those principles harder to hold onto. A quiet, thought-provoking story about success, choices, and the cost of losing your way.
Steinbeck's Short Stories is a collection that shows John Steinbeck's gift for telling meaningful stories in just a few pages. His characters are often ordinary people facing hardship, loneliness, hope, and difficult choices. Simple on the surface, but with plenty to linger over.
Russian Fairy Tales — Marie Ponsot and Benvenuti, 1973
Russian Fairy Tales by Marie Ponsot and Benvenuti came to me by way of the young man at Pierce Bookstore. He knows my tastes in books, and he held it back, thinking it might be to my liking. He was correct. I adore it! This book is the second printing, copyright 1973. This treasure contains 5 fairy tales: Prince Ivan and the Firebird, Vassilissa the Beautiful, Stupid Emilien, The Frog Princess, and Maria Marina. These remarkable tales are enhanced with Benvenuti's gorgeous illustrations.
These older stories weren't necessarily created to put children gently to sleep. They could contain fear, death, deception, poverty, strange transformations, and moral ambiguity. That makes them interesting historical artifacts as well as entertaining stories.
The Short Stories of De Maupassant
I picked up a lovely copy of The Short Stories of De Maupassant, Book League of America, copyright 1941. I have a few copies of his works. I'd read he was one of the greatest French short-story writers and was curious. I appreciate that his writing style was varied, and he did a swell job of exposing human nature. He writes stories about ordinary French people, marriage, money, vanity, war, and social class, to stories involving madness, the supernatural, and psychological terror.
Books That Found Me
Rebecca — Daphne du Maurier
I picked up an illustrated copy of Rebecca at Pierce Bookstore because I'd not read it and had seen it was among the classics. This 375-page book is a quick read, and much of the story deals with the fear of inadequacy, abandonment, and lack of acceptance. I had a couple of reviews of this. The more detailed one is on my Substack page. I often reread Rebecca in the Fall season.
The Mill on Mad River
The Mill on Mad River, Howard Clark, 1948. I have to admit, I picked this one up because the title caught my attention. There is something about an old mill and a river that makes me curious. Then I discovered the story takes us back to the early days of American manufacturing and the making of brass buttons. Who knew buttons could have such a history?
That Girl From Memphis
That Girl From Memphis published in 1945 by Wilbur Daniel Steele is a sweeping story set in the American West, filled with colorful characters, romance, hardship, and plenty of human nature. At the center is Bird, a woman with a complicated past who becomes much more than the title suggests.
Tammy Out of Time
Tammy Out of Time by Cid Ricketts Sumner. Tammy is seventeen, spirited, and growing up on a houseboat along the Mississippi River. When circumstances change, she finds herself stepping into a world very different from the one she knows. There is an old-fashioned charm to this story, and it is fun knowing it would later make its way to the big screen as Tammy and the Bachelor, starring Debbie Reynolds. I actually saw the film and liked it so much I purchased the book.
Books Then & Now
Books Then and Now: Exciting books I read back when I was young and occasionally revisit.
Library Book Sales
I frequent Library Book Sales as I like to have a variety of books to read. Most of my trips have offered paperbacks at only 50¢ and hardcovers for $1, but this spring I was able to purchase a collection of eight books for $3.00.
A Few More Treasures
Night — Elie Wiesel
Night by Eliezer "Elie" Wiesel. I got this at a second-hand store. Reading a book like this makes me think outside myself. Readers are witnesses to the struggle for survival, the sexual slavery, and the deplorable and unprecedented loss of life that is taking place.
Burial Rites — Hannah Kent
Burial Rites by Hannah Kent was my monthly book club read. I borrowed it from the local library. The writing throughout is convincing and uncomfortably eerie. It is based on a real woman and a real execution in Iceland in 1830. I appreciated the prose so much I returned the copy to the library and went out and purchased a copy for myself.
Animal Farm — George Orwell
Animal Farm, George Orwell, 1945. A clever and unsettling allegory about power, politics, and what happens when those who promise equality become the very thing they once fought against. Orwell's short novel is simple on the surface, but its message about corruption, control, and human nature feels relevant. Depending on your copy, it is a quick read: 100–160 pages.
Green Dolphin Street — Elizabeth Goudge
Green Dolphin Street by Elizabeth Goudge, published in 1944, is one of those older books that has a little bit of everything—family, love, longing, secrets, and the unexpected turns life can take. I especially love that the story stretches from England all the way to New Zealand. It became a bestseller and was later made into a major motion picture.
A Walk With Me — Gwen Frostic
Published in 1972, A Walk With Me by Gwen Frostic is a lovely invitation to slow down and take notice of the natural world around us. Frostic combines her words and distinctive artwork to create a book that feels almost like a quiet walk through the woods with a friend. There is something timeless about the way she finds beauty in the simple things—the trees, animals, seasons, and small details that are easy to overlook when life gets busy.
Twenty Years of Hus'ling
I love finding old books that give us a peek into how people lived—and made a living—more than a century ago. Twenty Years of Hus'ling is J. P. Johnston's own story of trying just about every kind of business imaginable, with plenty of failures, funny situations, and a few successes along the way. Originally published in 1887, this later edition includes 48 illustrations by W. W. Denslow. It sounds like Johnston learned the hard way, but he certainly never gave up! I purchased this at Book Reviews.
The Museum of Forgotten Memories
The Museum of Forgotten Memories by Anstey Harris is another book that reminds me why I like choosing books for myself.
Kekionga Series — Jim Pickett
I met Jim at a Christmas Festival, and we got to talking about his series. I appreciate themes of love, tradition, and sacrifice, and they are paralleled with a good bit of dialogue. Readers get a dual perspective of Native Americans and New Americans. Kekionga Series.
Daughter of Eve — Noel B. Gerson
Found this 1958 historical novel by Noel B. Gerson, Daughter of Eve, about Pocahontas and Captain John Smith. Set against the early days of Jamestown, it mixes history, romance, and adventure.
Books That Made Me Curious
Kent State: What Happened and Why James A. Michener 1971
I’ve been to Kent State a couple of times, once to see the campus and another time to attend a hot air balloon show. Both visits were years after I purchased and read the 1971 hardbound blue-covered book by James Michener titled Kent State. I still remember some of the accounts, the map, and the images in the book. Every now and then, I think about the anguished faces and those four dead.
Michener drew on hundreds of interviews with students, faculty, local residents, police officers, National Guardsmen, and others to piece together the events surrounding Students protesting the Cambodian incursion and the Kent State shootings.
One of my friends’ dads served in Vietnam. I remember the day he came home from the war, and how he was afterward. I've seen him from time to time over the years. Memories stay with you, even as the years pass.
Etiquette by Emily Post (1940)
I find it fascinating to look through an older book and see how much everyday life has changed. My 1940 copy of Emily Post’s Etiquette includes illustrations, photographs, and examples of social forms. It covers everything from introductions and invitations to entertaining, weddings, clothing, and table manners. There is so much more here than advice on being polite. The photographs and illustrations offer a glimpse into the way people lived and entertained, making this an interesting piece of social history as well as a book about manners.
There are books I choose because I know the author, books I choose because I love the edition, books I choose because I have heard about them for years, and books I choose simply because something about them makes me curious. That is really what this page is about. Sometimes it is the story. Sometimes it is the history behind the book. And sometimes it is simply the book itself sitting on a shelf waiting to be noticed.
