Reading is Exploring

September 9, 2015

Originally published in the Laconia Daily Sun

What are the objects you treasure? I have always treasured my books. They surrounded me when I was growing up. There were all the usual ones, Winnie the Pooh, Wind in the Willows, Charlotte’s Web, and Nancy Drew mysteries, of course. On the bookshelf next to the fireplace in the living room, where the serious adult books were kept, there was a two-volume set of Grimm’s Fairy Tales in a slip case. These books were beautifully designed and bound and were an art object on their own. This set has been lost, over the years, and I have replaced it on my shelf with a Folio Society (London) edition of The Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm with illustrations by Arthur Rackham. Taking a few minutes to read “The Mouse, the Bird and the Sausage” can change the entire course of a day.

Perhaps it is no surprise then that one of my favorite places in Laconia is the library.

Even if my visit is only for a short weekend I always stop by the library. First I peruse the bookshelves with the most recent books, often books that have just been reviewed in the New York Times Sunday Book Review. If I have work to do, I usually sit at the round table in the publication room. It reminds me of being in a British Club and sends my mind wandering to London.

If I want to read, I sink into one of the comfortable chairs that are scattered throughout. Often I borrow books on tape for the drive back to New York, returning them by Priority Mail from Manhattan. I never leave without running my fingers along the spines of the DVD’s to see if there are movies I haven’t seen.

I grew up in libraries. Our mother created the school library in the Lakewood Elementary School in Littleton, New Hampshire, where we grew up. She wanted to share her love of reading and literature will all children, not just her own. My grandmother worked afternoons at the local Littleton library, which was one the nine libraries built in New Hampshire by Andrew Carnegie the businessman and philanthropist. There are 1,689 Carnegie libraries built in the United States between 1883 and 1929, including some belonging to public and university library systems. These beautifully designed libraries are still open to everyone. A gift to all Americans.

What is it that attracts us to libraries? The peaceful and uncluttered atmosphere, perhaps. And why do we collect books? When they are handsome books, for their beauty as objects. When they tell a story for leading us on an adventure in our minds, often more exciting then taking a plane to an actual place. Books open new worlds of possibilities. Reading is exploration…

You can reach me at [email protected]. What are your favorite places in Laconia? What are the objects you treasure?