Author Susan Hill is searching for a book in her house and the book turns up not where she thought it would be, but nestled in among other books some place else. Hill's book is an inventory of her bookshelves and other book storage areas in her house. Hill reflects on favorite books, well-travelled books, and "Never got around to it, Don't like the look of it, Couldn't get beyond page Ten, and Other poor excuses". As Hill inventories her collection, she reflects on the books and authors that have shaped a lifetime of reading.
I finished this book in early May and never got around to blogging about it, until now. I received a notice that it is due at the library. About the time I read Howard's End is on the Landing, I rearranged my office and took a brief inventory of my own shelves. I have my favorites that have been in my collection for years and probably will always be there: my Agatha Christies, Calvin and Hobbes, and a few others. Then there are the shelves of French literature. My French literature collection is not what it was in Grad School; I have culled it since I am not teaching and my interests have changed. It is hard for me to part with my French novels because I did enjoy reading them and they were purchased during an important time in my life. On several other shelves are my travel, history, and coffee table books. The rest of my books are mysteries and general fiction.
Like Susan Hill, I could probably read books from my shelves for a year and never need to visit the library.
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