The book that began my journey into other cultures was Pearl S. Buck's "The Good Earth" ... her description of Asian cultures, especially the tea ceremony, helped me realize how different cultures celebrated different traditions. The book also started my adventure in different teas ... but also filled me with the sense of ceremony we can take in all our daily activities - be it coffee in the morning, washing dishes, walking through the woods ....
I read more of her works -- and when I got the chance, majored in anthropology and botany in college, studying how different cultures use plants ...
But it was Buck's book - truly - and the library that offered it to me --- that was transformative.
The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings trilogy helped me cope through my parents separation when I was 10 years old. I was farmed from one place to another to find some peace and those books were a consistent constant companion.
I think The Hobbit was one of the first books I read and had a hard time putting down. I was so engulfed in the story and imagination I could see it all before I saw it on the big screen.
I grew up in a home without books. I was never read to as a child. Perhaps this lack inspired in me a tremendous love of reading and books as soon as I followed Dick and Jane’s adventures in my early readers. My little town had a wonderful library. Each Saturday I would walk the several blocks there and return with a large stack of books. My favorites were the fairy tales because good always triumphed over evil even though the evil ones usually came to a grisly end, as in Grimm. The book that influenced my view of the world was Little Women. It was the only book I owned as a child except for a dictionary. I loved especially Jo and the selfless act of selling her hair so Marmee would have money to travel to Washington to care for their farther. That book showed me the beauty of family bonds of love, and care for others.
The first book I remember touching my soul was A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith. The difficult lives of young Francie Nolan and her family opened up my eyes that not everyone’s lives were the same, and her resilience has inspired me to continue when things are difficult. I have read this book several times in my life, and always see something new.
Thanks for your poetic comments, and the poetry of your being that finds expression so beautifully in your music.
And the book that changed my world as a 10 year old girl was Anne of Green Gables. That feisty, wise and funny character still lives within and, better yet, I live on Prince Edward Island!
There isn't a single book in particular, but the idea of libraries--the bastion of democracy, the last non-commercial space available to the public, the repository of civilization--has led me to pursue the practice & preservation of making books by hand my life's work. The Lilly has played an extremely important influence in this Hoosier's life and I'm glad to read it's affected another's in a different, and yet so deep manner. Thanks for sharing Carrie.
I really like how you’ve described libraries as “a bastion of democracy, the last non-commercial space available to the public, the repository of civilization”. Book making and book binding is such an amazing art form. I have looked at several books by the book maker and artists, Tim Ely at the Lilly Library. They are stunning books if you haven’t seen them yet. My personal favorite is The Tree of Life by Tim Ely. The Lilly Library commissions one book a year from this wonderful artist.
Two books I read as a child that changed my perspective would have to be "Kidnapped" by Stevenson and "A Wrinkle in Time" by L'Engle. The first provided me with a young role model that courageously braved dangers in his life. The second expanded my idea of what is possible through a very engaging story. It's true, books that I love do seem to have their own energy. Recently, I finished reading "As I Lay Dying" by Faulkner. As I was reading, I stopped, held the book in my hands, and sensed its energy. I often do that with books I really like.
I found “A Wrinkle in Time” very expanding as a young person too. From time to time I love to to read a classics I missed as a kid. It’s been fun to encounter some of the beautiful and enduring stories and understand why they have endured.
Oh I love a good book. When I was a young girl I read a biography on Clara Barton. I found it so interesting..I loved how she was a self taught nurse and how she taught others and how she is the Mother of the American Red Cross. It sparked an interest in me for the medical profession which I ended up working in as an adult and teaching in. To me that is what a good book can do..sparks interest in so many things. Every year since 2 of my great nieces have been little girls (they are now 17 and 20) we have done book club at the beach. They pick a book and we read it together and discuss. They tell me they always want to do this.Now I am doing it with 2 more great nieces who we started when they were 6 and 9 (they are now 8 and 11). For the 8 year old we read a book I am so in love with called "White Fur Flying."by Patricia MacLachlan. It has such a beautiful message about being kind, attentive, and showing understanding and care with humans and pets. Doing this with them brings me so much joy. Another thing a wonderful book does...brings joy. Thank you so much for sharing your story. In a time of so many changes in libraries through out the USA it reminds me to speak up for our libraries and share the joy of books.
Such rich, beautiful questions! But instead, I'll tell you a story. I'm visiting upstate NY to be with my 8 year old grandson, discouraged by his focus on screens and video games, all of which seem to be about wars, battles, weapons. Instead, this morning I told him about my own adventures on Vancouver Island, the cougar, the bear that was in our lodge parking lot, the whales. Later we went outside at his home, and we excitedly watched the turtle in the driveway, wondering where she was going, why she had stopped, making up an adventure for her, and the fireflies he saw last night after I woke him to watch a spectacular storm moving in. At breakfast, he told his parents that "Aumere is a great story-teller, and I'm not lying about that." These were very simple experiences, but it was a combination of time and love that he was reacting to.
Stories are in print, but sometimes we forget that all stories are words, with the details and emotions that we are all gifted with. Our stories can be parables for others, and hearing them come from our own mouths evokes memories, and reminders of lessons we have been given, sometimes to share, sometimes to hold in our hearts with wonder. For a moment, it was his videos and screen time that were on pause - as his own little story unfolded with stories that HE repeated to his parents. May it continue!.
Cyntcha! So many beautiful gifts you provided for your dear 8 year old grandson. I too worry about screens and young children (even as I hold one in my hand to write this...) The gift of time and priceless experiences with you will stay with him in heart and mind, I’m sure♥️
Oh Julia— what joys and opportunities await you and your little one, and how hopeful it is for us to know there are parents like you, already prepared, loving and watchful! You/they are our future, and we are grateful.💞
Oh my goodness, what an incredible, beautiful and wondrous story about our shared and personal stories. I think this is one of the things we “elders” have to share with the next generation who have so surrounded by a particular kind of story (violence, battles, etc). There are other stories, wild and daily and deeply compelling stories. Cyntcha, youre story today is so wise and full of hope. I’m holding it in my heart with so much gratitude. Thank you my friend.
Thanks for this post, which is timely for me, in that I recently finished John Hick's first major book, Faith and Knowledge. For several months now, I've been reading and studying his work. At first, I was only interested in his philosophical and theological views, but as I kept reading, I found that his work was impacting my spirituality as well. So even though he passed away in 2012, he has become a true mentor for me. Someone once wrote that if you find an author who resonates with you, you should read as much of their work as you can, and this is my plan with John Hick. Also since he is not well known, some of his books are not available as e-books, such as the one I just finished. Much as I love my Kindle, I've found that, for me at least, in some ways it just doesn't match the printed page. I especially like to make notes in the margin and in this way, have a "dialogue" with the author.
I know what you mean about finding an author who resonates, and then read many of their works to see how they evolve and often deepen. In the past years I’ve found myself reading everything by Brian Doyle I can find (A Long River of Song is a good place to start) and now Niall Williams (This is Happiness is another great place to start). I haven’t read anything by John Hick. I’ll be sure to look for it.
I grew up in a closed government owned town and I loved to read...thankfully I am a fairly fast/good reader and I loved stories. I read often hiding from my mom who saw it as a waste of time...and I did not care for TV. Little Women in sixth grade, Gone with the Wind in seventh and Emily Brontë ‘s books after that...a historical theme of women becoming aware of their strengths rather than being solely shaped by their culture. I had never thought of that connection before this morning. Each moment of our lives helps to shape us as we braid those experiences into who we are. Thank you for your sharing and prompt...
Sam: “It’s all wrong. By rights we shouldn’t even be here. But we are. It’s like in the great stories Mr Frodo. The ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger they were, and sometimes you didn’t want to know the end. Because how could the end be happy. How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad happened. But in the end, it’s only a passing thing, this shadow. Even the darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer. Those were the stories that stayed with you. That meant something. Even of you were too small to understand why. But I think, Mr Frodo, I do understand. I know now. Folk in those stories had lots of chances of turning back only they didn’t. Because they were holding on to something.”
Frodo: “What are we holding on to, Sam?”
Sam: “That there’s some good in this world, Mr Frodo. And it’s worth fighting for.”
Carrie, I absolutely love this. At a time when libraries in librarians are under siege, it’s so good for all of us to remind all of us how important they are. They are a foundation for building and maintaining an informed populace, and democracy, just for starters. Thank you for this for all your wonderful work.
I agree Michael, it is a very disturbing trend when libraries and librarians are being pressured to not serve the public as they were meant to do… but only a narrow band of thought. It’s so important for those of us who love learning, education, an informed community and democratic principles to support our public, community and school libraries!
The book that began my journey into other cultures was Pearl S. Buck's "The Good Earth" ... her description of Asian cultures, especially the tea ceremony, helped me realize how different cultures celebrated different traditions. The book also started my adventure in different teas ... but also filled me with the sense of ceremony we can take in all our daily activities - be it coffee in the morning, washing dishes, walking through the woods ....
I read more of her works -- and when I got the chance, majored in anthropology and botany in college, studying how different cultures use plants ...
But it was Buck's book - truly - and the library that offered it to me --- that was transformative.
The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings trilogy helped me cope through my parents separation when I was 10 years old. I was farmed from one place to another to find some peace and those books were a consistent constant companion.
I think The Hobbit was one of the first books I read and had a hard time putting down. I was so engulfed in the story and imagination I could see it all before I saw it on the big screen.
I grew up in a home without books. I was never read to as a child. Perhaps this lack inspired in me a tremendous love of reading and books as soon as I followed Dick and Jane’s adventures in my early readers. My little town had a wonderful library. Each Saturday I would walk the several blocks there and return with a large stack of books. My favorites were the fairy tales because good always triumphed over evil even though the evil ones usually came to a grisly end, as in Grimm. The book that influenced my view of the world was Little Women. It was the only book I owned as a child except for a dictionary. I loved especially Jo and the selfless act of selling her hair so Marmee would have money to travel to Washington to care for their farther. That book showed me the beauty of family bonds of love, and care for others.
The first book I remember touching my soul was A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith. The difficult lives of young Francie Nolan and her family opened up my eyes that not everyone’s lives were the same, and her resilience has inspired me to continue when things are difficult. I have read this book several times in my life, and always see something new.
I just picked up A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. It seemed like the right time to reread such a beautiful story again!
One of the books that changed by view of the world was Chardin's Phenonoman of Man
Very poetic inspiring writing.
Thanks for your poetic comments, and the poetry of your being that finds expression so beautifully in your music.
And the book that changed my world as a 10 year old girl was Anne of Green Gables. That feisty, wise and funny character still lives within and, better yet, I live on Prince Edward Island!
There isn't a single book in particular, but the idea of libraries--the bastion of democracy, the last non-commercial space available to the public, the repository of civilization--has led me to pursue the practice & preservation of making books by hand my life's work. The Lilly has played an extremely important influence in this Hoosier's life and I'm glad to read it's affected another's in a different, and yet so deep manner. Thanks for sharing Carrie.
I really like how you’ve described libraries as “a bastion of democracy, the last non-commercial space available to the public, the repository of civilization”. Book making and book binding is such an amazing art form. I have looked at several books by the book maker and artists, Tim Ely at the Lilly Library. They are stunning books if you haven’t seen them yet. My personal favorite is The Tree of Life by Tim Ely. The Lilly Library commissions one book a year from this wonderful artist.
Two books I read as a child that changed my perspective would have to be "Kidnapped" by Stevenson and "A Wrinkle in Time" by L'Engle. The first provided me with a young role model that courageously braved dangers in his life. The second expanded my idea of what is possible through a very engaging story. It's true, books that I love do seem to have their own energy. Recently, I finished reading "As I Lay Dying" by Faulkner. As I was reading, I stopped, held the book in my hands, and sensed its energy. I often do that with books I really like.
I found “A Wrinkle in Time” very expanding as a young person too. From time to time I love to to read a classics I missed as a kid. It’s been fun to encounter some of the beautiful and enduring stories and understand why they have endured.
Oh I love a good book. When I was a young girl I read a biography on Clara Barton. I found it so interesting..I loved how she was a self taught nurse and how she taught others and how she is the Mother of the American Red Cross. It sparked an interest in me for the medical profession which I ended up working in as an adult and teaching in. To me that is what a good book can do..sparks interest in so many things. Every year since 2 of my great nieces have been little girls (they are now 17 and 20) we have done book club at the beach. They pick a book and we read it together and discuss. They tell me they always want to do this.Now I am doing it with 2 more great nieces who we started when they were 6 and 9 (they are now 8 and 11). For the 8 year old we read a book I am so in love with called "White Fur Flying."by Patricia MacLachlan. It has such a beautiful message about being kind, attentive, and showing understanding and care with humans and pets. Doing this with them brings me so much joy. Another thing a wonderful book does...brings joy. Thank you so much for sharing your story. In a time of so many changes in libraries through out the USA it reminds me to speak up for our libraries and share the joy of books.
I read Clara Barton, Nancy Drew and Trixie Beldan stories! Very empowering.
Such rich, beautiful questions! But instead, I'll tell you a story. I'm visiting upstate NY to be with my 8 year old grandson, discouraged by his focus on screens and video games, all of which seem to be about wars, battles, weapons. Instead, this morning I told him about my own adventures on Vancouver Island, the cougar, the bear that was in our lodge parking lot, the whales. Later we went outside at his home, and we excitedly watched the turtle in the driveway, wondering where she was going, why she had stopped, making up an adventure for her, and the fireflies he saw last night after I woke him to watch a spectacular storm moving in. At breakfast, he told his parents that "Aumere is a great story-teller, and I'm not lying about that." These were very simple experiences, but it was a combination of time and love that he was reacting to.
Stories are in print, but sometimes we forget that all stories are words, with the details and emotions that we are all gifted with. Our stories can be parables for others, and hearing them come from our own mouths evokes memories, and reminders of lessons we have been given, sometimes to share, sometimes to hold in our hearts with wonder. For a moment, it was his videos and screen time that were on pause - as his own little story unfolded with stories that HE repeated to his parents. May it continue!.
Cyntcha! So many beautiful gifts you provided for your dear 8 year old grandson. I too worry about screens and young children (even as I hold one in my hand to write this...) The gift of time and priceless experiences with you will stay with him in heart and mind, I’m sure♥️
Oh Julia— what joys and opportunities await you and your little one, and how hopeful it is for us to know there are parents like you, already prepared, loving and watchful! You/they are our future, and we are grateful.💞
Oh my goodness, what an incredible, beautiful and wondrous story about our shared and personal stories. I think this is one of the things we “elders” have to share with the next generation who have so surrounded by a particular kind of story (violence, battles, etc). There are other stories, wild and daily and deeply compelling stories. Cyntcha, youre story today is so wise and full of hope. I’m holding it in my heart with so much gratitude. Thank you my friend.
Thanks for this post, which is timely for me, in that I recently finished John Hick's first major book, Faith and Knowledge. For several months now, I've been reading and studying his work. At first, I was only interested in his philosophical and theological views, but as I kept reading, I found that his work was impacting my spirituality as well. So even though he passed away in 2012, he has become a true mentor for me. Someone once wrote that if you find an author who resonates with you, you should read as much of their work as you can, and this is my plan with John Hick. Also since he is not well known, some of his books are not available as e-books, such as the one I just finished. Much as I love my Kindle, I've found that, for me at least, in some ways it just doesn't match the printed page. I especially like to make notes in the margin and in this way, have a "dialogue" with the author.
I know what you mean about finding an author who resonates, and then read many of their works to see how they evolve and often deepen. In the past years I’ve found myself reading everything by Brian Doyle I can find (A Long River of Song is a good place to start) and now Niall Williams (This is Happiness is another great place to start). I haven’t read anything by John Hick. I’ll be sure to look for it.
I would recommend Hick's The Fifth Dimension. It's a wide-ranging explanation of his latest thinking.
I grew up in a closed government owned town and I loved to read...thankfully I am a fairly fast/good reader and I loved stories. I read often hiding from my mom who saw it as a waste of time...and I did not care for TV. Little Women in sixth grade, Gone with the Wind in seventh and Emily Brontë ‘s books after that...a historical theme of women becoming aware of their strengths rather than being solely shaped by their culture. I had never thought of that connection before this morning. Each moment of our lives helps to shape us as we braid those experiences into who we are. Thank you for your sharing and prompt...
Sam: “It’s all wrong. By rights we shouldn’t even be here. But we are. It’s like in the great stories Mr Frodo. The ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger they were, and sometimes you didn’t want to know the end. Because how could the end be happy. How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad happened. But in the end, it’s only a passing thing, this shadow. Even the darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer. Those were the stories that stayed with you. That meant something. Even of you were too small to understand why. But I think, Mr Frodo, I do understand. I know now. Folk in those stories had lots of chances of turning back only they didn’t. Because they were holding on to something.”
Frodo: “What are we holding on to, Sam?”
Sam: “That there’s some good in this world, Mr Frodo. And it’s worth fighting for.”
One of my favourite Tolkien quotes!
I love that passage too!. Thank you for posting Liz
Carrie, I absolutely love this. At a time when libraries in librarians are under siege, it’s so good for all of us to remind all of us how important they are. They are a foundation for building and maintaining an informed populace, and democracy, just for starters. Thank you for this for all your wonderful work.
I agree Michael, it is a very disturbing trend when libraries and librarians are being pressured to not serve the public as they were meant to do… but only a narrow band of thought. It’s so important for those of us who love learning, education, an informed community and democratic principles to support our public, community and school libraries!