DEBORAH CROMBIE: I know all the decluttering experts are always telling us we should get rid of books, but I can testify that there are times you will be glad you didn't.
Somewhere around the midwinter solstice I saw a mention in a newsletter of Susan Cooper's poem THE SHORTEST DAY, with an excerpt. Susan Cooper, you may know, wrote a British fantasy series in the Sixties and Seventies known as THE DARK IS RISING, which is actually the title of the second book in the quintet.
I flipped open the first book and was instantly and completely hooked.
Now, the first great mystery is why I had never managed to read them before now. They are classic British fantasy, and are in the tradition--and are mentioned in the same breath--as Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. Cooper is English, an Oxford graduate (from Somerville College, as were Dorothy Sayers and PD James) and was certainly influenced by the same British mythology as Tolkien, Lewis, Alan Garner, TH White, and Joy Chant (all of which I'd not just read but devoured.)
The second mystery is how I came by these books. The first book, OVER SEA, UNDER STONE, was published in 1965, the next four from 1973 to 1977. My copies are the original editions.
In fact, the fourth book, THE GREY KING, is a first edition.
Too bad it's not signed, as the internet tells me a signed first goes for about $800! Not that I would be tempted to sell...
Have I really been moving these books around since I was in my twenties? I certainly have no recollection of buying them as a set more recently, and I still have two of Joy Chant's books from the same era, right beside them.
At any rate, I'm so glad I didn't lose Cooper's books in a move or a book purge, of which there have been many. They are fabulous, and if you are a fan of classic British fantasy--or even if you're not--I highly recommend them. (I've listened on Audible as I've read.)
They are considered YA (THE DARK IS RISING was a Newbery Honor book, and THE GREY KING the Newbery medalist) but the themes are very adult, and the books seem both timeless and in some respects shockingly current.
REDS and readers, is there a book (or books) you'd always meant to read and finally got around to?
And what gems have you discovered in your own bookshelves?
P.S.: An interest note, Cooper later immigrated to the U.S. and was married to the actor Hume Cronyn. She's led an interesting life!
There have been books that I finally got to read after years on my shelves. Sometimes I was not in the mood then suddenly read the books. I’m trying to remember the titles! And I have books that survived book purges when I moved. Now these books are out of print and I’m so glad I kept these books! Like the Julie kaewert mysteries about a book publisher in England
ReplyDeleteI think I still have my Julie Kaewert books, too, Diana! They were so good!
DeleteThere are ALWAYS books I meant to get around to reading; one of the few Agatha Christie books that I'd somehow managed to skip was "The Hollow," which I finished recently . . . .
ReplyDeleteGems on my bookshelves? Some long-ago read science fiction, including a couple of Isaac Asimov favorites . . .
I think I have some paperback Asimovs. But I will never reread them--print too smaill, paper yellowed--so they should probably go to Half Price Books for some collector to swoon over.
DeleteI read The Dark is rising series with my daughter in the early seventies and then again with my grand kids thirty years later. They seemed timeless enough that I’ve kept them and now anticipate sharing them with the next generatio
ReplyDeleteYes, they have held up very well!
DeleteSusan Cooper married Hume Cronyn after Jessica Tandy died. I had forgotten that he married again.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I was struggling to figure that out. I was at a funeral at which Jessica Tandy, then in her mid-80s, was speaking. Stepping down she stumbled and fell, and I always remember Hume jumping up from the pews with an agonized, "Jessie!" (Thankfully she was OK, merely shaken.) Selden
DeleteThanks for that! Like Selden, I was wracking my brain to figure out when that marriage would have been, as the one with Jessica Tandy was so long and famous.
DeleteSusan and Hume had apparently known each for a long time, as she had co-authored stage productions with him. They had seven years before he died.
DeleteI must confess, I've given books away only to wish I hadn't, and then went out and bought again.
ReplyDeleteThis post is giving me pause as I'm currently gathering a box of books to donate to the library book sale. Hmmm.
Maybe some unread gem will call out to you! Although I think generally books should be culled like clothes--if you haven't read it in so many years, out it goes, but there are always exceptions...
DeleteHow fun. My husband was a young teacher when I met him in 1983 and one of the marks in his favor was that he was reading aloud the DARK IS RISING series to his dorm kids, all 4th - 8th graders. We still have them and he rereads them from time to time.
ReplyDeleteWe have moved a few times over the years, including once cross-country and back. But the advantage of having a big brother who is a truck driver is that you don't have to cull your books. I think on the last big move, in 1999, I packed 75 liquor boxes. Other moves were shorter and I drove the 24' moving truck. We are only now beginning to divest as I think about our kids saddled with the job. (Selden)
What a great story, Selden! I hope you won't "divest" the Dark is Rising books!
DeleteSusan Cooper is new to me, so I'll explore her titles. I enjoy books written for children that are suitable for adult readers, too.
ReplyDeleteI don't go through my shelves often, but when I do I use the rule (I learned here on JRW years ago) of friends/ acquaintances/strangers: Some books are friends, whom I have moved with me for years -- and always will; some are acquaintances, who last on the shelves for a while and then get moved along; others are strangers, who get unceremoniously tossed into boxes for the local library sale.
It's true that I can always buy myself another copy if I regret tossing a book, but sometimes it is a particular copy that is valuable to me. Favourite children's books fall into this category for me, as I'm not always keen on the covers of the modern-day editions.
What a wonderful find, Debs. I hadn't heard of those books.
ReplyDeleteI have The Alienist on my bookshelf, and a book by Wally Lamb, and I just can't seem to get around to reading them. Maybe one day! No hidden treasures that I'm aware of.
Recently Hallie talked about rereading the Oz books. I have early (if not first editions) of all, and now I want to go back into that world that gave me so much joy as a child. Those are books I will never give away except to one of my sons, who also read and loved them as a boy.
DeleteYes, I've divested and re-purchased at least once, notably the captivating
ReplyDeletefantasy (children's?) series Finn Family Moomintroll, which I first read in my 20s. Has anyone else read this?
My daughter and grandchildren love the series. They lived in Norway for a couple of years and the Moomin trolls were very popular. They are adorable.
DeleteI've never even heard of the Moomin trolls! Will check these out. They sound like something my about-to-be nine granddaughter would love.
DeleteKids get a lot out of them, and there's another layer that adults will appreciate too.
DeleteWhat a treasure, Debs. I had also never heard of them, but in addition to being a rare and wonderful find, they sound like a great way to weather a snow day, too.
ReplyDeleteWe have a few, including one oddity: the story of the McIhenny family, whose company has made the original Tabasco sauce since the end of the Civil War. Steve may have given it to someone, though, because I can't find it. It's an old, clothbound, handbook-sized volume, and may have been a promotional piece for the company because I can't find any information about it. Now I wish I'd read it.
Weird factoid about Hume Cronyn: he had a glass eye, because he lost one to optic cancer. Which was the main reason for my dad's death in 1969.
Karen, I wasn’t home yesterday so I added a reply to your post this morning
DeleteDanielle
I remember that Hume Cronyn had a glass eye, but didn't know the reason. Apparently, they knew each other for a long time through her work in theater.
DeleteMy 2 floor-to-ceiling TBR bookcases are double or triple stacked with books so I can't even see many of the older titles. So there's probably a bunch of unread treasures to read some day...
ReplyDeleteThe last time I did a book purge I made a resolution not to double or triple stack, which I've pretty much (!) kept.
DeleteThe Dark is Rising stumbled into my life during Advent 2024. The BBC made a throat clutching, haunting podcast in 2022. Searching for another perspective on the news, I found the podcast. And each night from the longest night to Epiphany I listened to one episode. WOW. Elisabeth
ReplyDeleteSo was it just the one book, The Dark is Rising? I'm going to try to find this. I don't listen to podcasts much because I'm always listening to audiobooks, but I can imagine who effective the book would have been serialized. Shivers!
DeleteJust the one book. Done just for December from the longest night through Epiphany. And it not a reading, but a dramatization. Elisabeth
DeleteWhat fun!!
DeletePortland Revels uses Susan Cooper's poem each year during their midwinter production. I remember reading at least the first two books in the Dark is Rising when they first came out, but I know that, unlike my twin, I never finished the entire series. It's time to go back and revisit them.
ReplyDeleteGillian, a small world (with lots of physical miles in it). I know someone who has appeared in the Portland Revels for several years! Living on the east coast I’ve never been, but have followed her FB posts about them. Elisabeth
DeleteElisabeth, that is so cool! They are great. Robert Lockwood, a long time member of our church choir, was their music director for many years, and my niece's best friend has been in the show the past few years.
DeleteHow wonderful! See Celia's post below!
DeleteIn case anyone is interested, Amazon has almost all of this series on Kindle Unlimited. I just downloaded the first book. Thanks for this post, I had never heard of this series!
ReplyDeleteOh, thank you, Terri! They are also all available on Audible, and very well done.
DeleteI have several sets of books that I have moved at least twice. One set is the John Jakes series of the Kent Family, as well as North and South. Another series is an equally long series (8 books, I think) about the colonization of Australia – I would have to go look for the author. Both are sets that I always thought that I would like to reread. The sad facts are that my vision is no longer good enough to read a book book, and that no one else wants to read them. Should you try and donate them to a library, you can be certain, that they will either refuse your kind offer, or thank you and then put them in recycling. I do have several children’s books that were almost worn out they were such favourites of mine, but neither kids nor grandkids cared.
ReplyDeleteOh, that is a shame, Margo. You're right about the libraries--they only want new books. But are there any used bookstores near you?
DeleteMany libraries have "friends" groups that have book sales to benefit their libraries. I donated a ton of books to that group and also to an organization that does a huge book swap. I must say that the book swap event is fantastic!
DeleteJudy, the Cincinnati library system has a robust system for taking donated books. The Friends of the Library have a warehouse where they sort and store books, CDs, magazines and other media, which they then sell at several three-day sales around the area. The proceeds go to the library, which is one of the best in the US.
DeleteThere are plenty of books that I've wanted to read for years but haven't gotten around to doing so yet. I guess you could consider them treasures that are buried in the To Be Read corner of my room.
ReplyDeleteAlso, the decluttering "experts" can stuff it. I'd rather have books around me instead of people or people. If you want to get rid of some clutter, start by clearing out the decluttering experts that seem to procreate faster than Tribbles.
How funny Jay! So well said. I declutter (one only has so much room for "junk") but I don't need an expert to tell me how. Really, it's so easy - don't use it anymore and/or don't want it, I donate it. I find I often regret giving away books though.
DeleteSo funny, Jay! I am only wanted to get rid of books because I have nowhere to put new ones!
Delete
ReplyDeleteHow interesting Debs, I had not heard of Susan Cooper. She sounds like she's had an interesting life. I checked her out on Wiki and she worked as a reporter for The Sunday Times (London) under Ian Fleming. That's cool.
I am always gathering books to donate to our local library. I try to keep those books that I really treasure or enjoyed reading and may re-read again. Over the years I used to loan my favorite books out to friends but often never got them back. Oh well, I hope they enjoyed them as much as I did !
I've stopped loaning books to anyone but my daughter unless it's a book I don't care to ever see again.
DeleteWe have given away a lot of books. Irwin doesn't want to leave our kids with a big clear out. I get it. But right now, reading is what I do and he is very generous about the fact that I buy a book, ebook or audiobook every week. What I must do, however, in order to keep the peace, is keep the paper books moving through here. So, except for just a very few authors, when I finish a paper book, if I liked it, I send it to a friend of mine in Florida who keeps it moving by giving it to one of her friends or putting it in the Little Free Library in her neighborhood. I have such an enormous TBR pile, I doubt that I will find unread treasures.
ReplyDeleteJudy, I love your system!
DeleteJudy, I give my books, once read, to a friend of mine. If it’s not one she wants, I donate to the Friends of the Library or Little Free Libraries in my area. I have switched to reading e-books in many cases to avoid collecting as many physical books that I don’t need to keep once I have read them. I already know that my son and d-i-l won’t want most of “my kind of books”. — Pat S
DeleteSo funny! It’s in a completely different category, but I just discovered I have a copy of BIG LITTLE LIES by Liane Moriarty. I don’t even remember buying it! But yesterday I found it, and I thought maybe this is the time to read it… And I love it! It’s point of view is willy-nilly, but so funny and so voicey on one level, and so poignant and heartbreaking on another.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I hear you about donating books. What if you donate just the wrong one? And so the piles remain….
Hank, I love that you are reading something just for fun!!
DeleteHA! Sadly, it is such a rare event!
DeleteI purged a lot of books for the move from Minnesota to Florida. For the most part I don’t miss them as I am not much of a re-reader. I kept ones I have yet to read, some signed ones, some complete series like Harry Potter, some old ones from childhood and some that were my dad’s. I moved 9 banker boxes full and got rid of just as many or more.
ReplyDeleteI recognize the Susan Cooper books from shelving them in a middle school library but have not read them. Interesting to know more about the author.
Well, sigh, you have to do it when you move, and most of them you will never miss. But it's most frustrating when you think of something you'd like to read or reread and it's disappeared.
DeleteOh yes! Along with a lot of other stuff. “Do I still have that or did I get rid of it?” I will forever refer to 2024 as the Year of the Great Purge.
DeleteI was not familiar with the Susan Cooper series and it sounds like something I would love! I will have to look into that.
ReplyDeleteMy one big regret of a book let go recently is on my sister's behalf. When she downsized two years ago, we got rid of her Harry Potter audiobooks. Now that she's established in her new life, she loves to walk and would even be willing to use a treadmill sometimes, and I deeply regret that we let those go. I tried to get her a replacement of book 1 for Christmas and learned, to my dismay, that they don't make them on CD anymore! My sister's dementia makes learning how to download books to her phone very challenging, and just using her portable CD player is much more accessible for her.
Oh, Susan. I'm so sorry about Harry Potter audiobooks on CD. We used to listen to them when I drove our kids to Florida, a 23-hour drive. Often at a rest stop we'd wait in the car for a scene to finish! I buy a lot of things on Ebay. Here's one complete set of Harry Potter CDs and there might be more if you search. Good luck! Selden
Deletehttps://www.ebay.com/itm/256777941051?_skw=harry+potter+audiobooks+cd&itmmeta=01JHAZXD0M6131J5Z8D9EMG98E&hash=item3bc928703b:g:q1MAAOSwj89nfBqn&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA8HoV3kP08IDx%2BKZ9MfhVJKlcqpBm%2FkFlnnu5%2F49k7L5S7FBX%2FYkkyCFu3T4nJGNo5pgF9gAphvBaf2%2FLkEeRS8mSmTUZTCzhxj%2BDbhKW6UWBctlHs6QSTrkOE51huIHy9f6odMHDPSIReGTD7l9tZdoOnF5cepLWs1Azi2wuGJ0cgJ9J9eFYFFRXUAqezzbeTaGgP7qsOrPdcGaaVC0T6CS8B9oEFTen4Icme5m%2FVDTGz%2BiHL%2Fjt1FXzfGgaRRvp0bFMuzTcHAJ5E%2FuapzCJd77pd%2F1txH6DoH1y59AbJJS29UsPgEh%2FIKVnVsdVBnQZNw%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR9DQ9d-KZQ
From Celia: Susan I'm so sorry to learn of your sister's health situation. Having been on this journey with my husband I can see that you want to help her all you can. I do some googling and there appears to be some CD audio sets of the books on EBay. Have you tried there. I do see that the full set on Amazon is quite expensive. I was able to get a grant here in Maine to buy some items that we needed for Victor. Perhaps there are some resources near your sister which could help her too. Also what about her or your local library? They often have used CD's that are looking for a home. I do wish you all the best and if I can help at all please contact me.
DeleteSusan, so sorry to hear about your sister's health problems. Great suggestion from Selden. They audio CDs seem to be readily available used, and you might find some other things you sister would enjoy. One of the reasons I've been so reluctant to give up my old car is that is has a 6 CD changer and of course you can't get CD players in new cars. But, alas, it seems to be broken and I doubt there is even anyone to fix them anymore.
DeleteI don't have copies, but love Susan Cooper's series--re-read every few years and have done so since I was a young teen. Timeless! (And the movie, The Seeker, which came out years ago was a complete travesty! Or as the description says, "a very loose translation."). The podcast sounds like something I should seek out--thanks, Elisabeth! (Flora)
ReplyDeleteI will avoid the movie! I'd hate for anything to spoil my enjoyment of the books.
DeleteI'm not familiar with Susan Cooper either but NOW I'll be on the lookout. I've come around to fantasy late. There are so many books on my shelves that I want to *reread*! Thanks for this, Debs - you enthusiasm is inspiring!
ReplyDeleteThe Dark is Rising, book #2, is much more complex that the first book, Over Sea, Under Stone, but I would recommend reading in order. Between the two books, Cooper moved to the States, married, took on three step-children, and had children of her own, but all the while she must have been thinking about the series and where it would go.
DeleteFlora, being of more than a “certain age”, treated the podcast like an old time radio drama. Listening with the lights lowered, as darkness fell. Can’t remember if I got from Apple or from theBBC, but it was free. Enjoy. Elisabeth
ReplyDeleteI love this idea, adding a bit of ritual. Rick always complains now about having to wait if we're watching something that drops an episode a week, but sometimes I miss the ritual of scheduled TV. Sunday night and Masterpiece Mystery!
DeleteFrom Celia: Oh Debs what a name to bring up right now but it also gives me joy to think of those who have read Cooper and those for whom the treat is still in store. But to share The Shortest Day. We are past Twelfth Night but here is the text with a little explanation:
ReplyDeleteThe Shortest Day by.Susan Cooper - Read by Charlotte Whatley, read at Victor's burial.
This poem was written for, and features in every production of The Revels. Our family has been Reveling since 1978. Victor and Olivia as actors and chorus members. Celia, the backstage mother to the cast.
And so the Shortest Day came and the year died
And everywhere down the centuries of the snow-white world
Came people singing, dancing,
To drive the dark away.
They lighted candles in the winter trees;
They hung their homes with evergreen;
They burned beseeching fires all night long
To keep the year alive.
And when the new year’s sunshine blazed awake
They shouted, reveling.
Through all the frosty ages you can hear them Echoing behind us — listen!
All the long echoes, sing the same delight,
This Shortest Day,
As promise wakens in the sleeping land:
They carol, feast, give thanks,
And dearly love their friends,
And hope for peace.
And now so do we, here, now,
This year and every year. Welcum Yule!
Susan Cooper also had quite a theatre background and was invited by John Langstaff (founder and Artistic Director till his death), to write the Shortest Day for The Revels, an annual celebration of midwinter. The Revels has played a huge part in our family life, so huge that Olivia chose The Shortest Day for final words over Victor. But more to the point I met Susan Cooper at the first NY Revels in, wow, 1979 I think though it could have been '78. I became a total fan girl on the spot, gibbering to her about what her books had meant to us as a family. Of course I didn't have my copies with me, so no autographs for me. Right now I think Olivia has nicked the copies and they are at her house. Yes Susan was writing for YA, but her books are so powerful that I think they cross all age groups. But consider Googling the Revels and you will get information on lots of activity across the country though Boston is the eipcenter and I think the next event will be to welcome the Spring. I can't wait. In the meantime, yes I will be getting rid of books but I will offer them to friends first before the dreaded library sale.
Oh, Celia, I had no idea! I hope this little post brought you more joy than pain. But isn't the poem glorious? And thank you so much for copying the text. I had read that Susan Cooper was involved in the Revels but didn't realize you and Victor had such a close family connection.
DeleteI'd have fan-girled right along with you! She's published a lot; books for children, biographies, and was writing until fairly recently.
Oh, Celia. Thank you for this revels post. Elisabeth
DeleteFrom Celia: it was wonderful to read your post Debs, no worries really. When we finally meet there's lots more to discuss. I believe there's still Revels at the Solstice in Houston.
DeleteCelia, this is life-changing. Thank you.
DeleteIt occurred to me that I should have asked if everyone knew exactly what they had on their shelves!
ReplyDeleteMy TBR pile is several bookcases, so I can relate. I discovered The Dark is Rising series soon after it was published, when I was in Grade 9, and loved it. I've given it as gifts to young readers a few times. More recently I discovered the Abhorsen series by New Zealand writer Garth Nix and it is also classified as teen, but has many adult themes. It is an amazing fantasy series and I gave a boxed set to a grandniece for Christmas this past year.
ReplyDeleteOh oh, goody! Thank you, Shonna! I love Garth Nix's Lefthanded Bookseller books, but haven't read the Abhorson series. Will look up immediately!
DeleteGreat! I really like the strong female characters in the Abhorsen series
DeleteI bought the first book on Kindle, then the Audible for an extra $6. It's read by Tim Curry!
DeleteI was introduced to Susan Cooper via Celia and Victor and the Revels, and only realized she had written those wonderful fantasies when I was staying with another friend, who had the whole set in hardcover. I started on the first but had to leave it behind when my visit was over - now I really want to dive in!
ReplyDeleteThe book I had on my shelves forever before reading it? You'll laugh, it's so cliched. Moby-Dick. I dipped my toe in after reading Nathaniel Philbrick's wonderful WHY READ MOBY-DICK, and I approached it as he suggested, chapter by chapter, rather than a whole narrative. I can't say reading Melville was enjoyable, in the same way a good fantasy is, but it was extremely satisfying.
I was supposed to read Moby Dick for my American Lit class at university, but faked it. I read it years later, and enjoyed it. Now I want to read it again along with another book I discovered where Ohio artist Matt Kish creates an image for every page of Moby Dick. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/129346243-moby-dick-in-pictures I think it will add another layer to the book.
DeleteI’ve never read it, Julia, but I had a neighbor who reread it once a year. He loved the book!
DeleteDebRo
I've never read it, Julia! But I like the chapter by chapter idea. My book in that to-read/have never read/should have read category is Middlemarch. I have it on Audible but maybe I should buy a paper copy and try your method.
DeleteI just saw something from The Smithsonian about a long annual tradition in New Bedford MA of reading Moby Dick aloud. It takes 25 hours.
Deletehttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/thousands-of-book-lovers-gather-for-a-moby-dick-reading-marathon-180985798/
I too want to read MOBY DICK, having in the last year read Nathaniel Philbrick's IN THE HEART OF THE SEA, the true story that it was based upon, as well as Richard Henry Dana's TWO YEARS BEFORE THE MAST, an engrossing but challenging read which I was disconcerted to see described on its 1950s cover as "the classic boy's tale"! I couldn't imagine a boy of today reading it. (Selden)
DeleteI’ll need to look for Susan Cooper’s books at the library.
ReplyDeleteI know I should donate more books, but it’s difficult. Most of the books I want to donate don’t fit my library’s criteria for donated books. And I hate getting rid of books! I’ve found an organization that takes books, and they don’t have any criteria as far as I can see. Last summer I donated a couple of large shopping bags filled with books to them. (That’s how I sprained my back.) I’m keeping them in mind for future donations. They take other things, too, so I was able to do a lot of purging. More to be done…
DebRo
I take mine to our Half Price Books. Getting the tiny bit of money for them (the last time I made enough to buy another book there, lol) isn't really the point--it's keeping the books in circulation for other readers.
DeleteI’ve been retired for three years now, but I’m almost certain that I had The Dark is Rising series in my school library. (New people take over and collections get weeded so I can’t be certain.) I do remember the author’s name because a good friend - and fellow school librarian - is named Susan Cooper so we would congratulate her on her publishing success!
ReplyDeleteI have been unpacking boxes of books and find some that I kept because they were my mom’s. One series in paperback in particular I’ve had for over 20 years, but still have yet to read them. Maybe this is the year! — Pat S
I've kept all the Elizabeth Peter's Amelia Peabody books in mass market paperback because my mom loved them so much, but I think it's time for them to go. Sentimental associations make it so hard! I will not be giving away my dad's hardcover Dick Francis books (actually, we shared) them. At least not yet.
DeleteThe poem is haunting. The series sounds wonderful! In recent years I've bought books intending to read them but somehow don't get to them. One was C.S. Lewis's Mere Christianity. An online book group decided to read it and I thought AHA! I have that one. Couldn't find it anywhere. I ordered a copy and by the time it came, the group had read it and moved along. Then I found my first copy. So I have two now and guess what? I still haven't read that book.
ReplyDeleteI have a whole shelf of Lewis's books on Chritianity that I never got around to reading, so I sympathise with you on that one, Pat. Maybe time for me to move those along, too.
DeleteThe Dark is Rising series was huge for me and my youngest brother growing up -- we've both read the books multiple times and had endless discussions about Will, Merriman, and the others. In fact, we even traveled to many of the locations in the books (yes, they were that huge for us) in Wales and Cornwall, hiking Cader Idris, stayed in Aberdyfi, tracked down Carn March Arthur, and more. I've enjoyed since reading the series aloud with my own children and find they hold the same magic.
ReplyDeleteOooh, I totally get why you would want to vist the locations!!! Now I'm lamenting that I was so close to north Wales when I lived in Chester, but hadn't read the books then. I could have so easily visited those locations. But I am very drawn to the Thames Valley (which always seems to be nudging its way into my books) and some of my favorite scenes in the series are those when Will is at home with his family. And I would have loved to have had someone to discuss the characters with!
DeleteWhen I was at the library this week – another Book club – after the tea and snacks, the liberian was speaking with the previous liberian, about getting rid of books. Apparently and maybe because it is a small library, the policy is book in – book out. She had three books that she wanted to send back to Headquarters. Two were involved with history and geography c1970 (obsolete according to her as the map has changed) and one was a listing of places about the same time, which she felt could be thrown out. I suggested that maybe it would be a good idea to ask if the Beaton (local archives) wanted the directory, to which she replied – why, all the listings are closed. Biting my tongue, I explained that used directories, telephone books, etc. are very important in historical and genealogic research. Ohhhh. I have no idea whether the directory will make it to the Beaton, but I hope so. I have so many issues with just tossing out old books, so new ones can be shelved. Agreed, there are a lot of new books, and agreed, maybe some of the older ones were just drivel, but what I consider drivel and you consider drivel may not align.
ReplyDeleteJack-the Harrumper borrowed a book on maneuvers of WW2 written at about the same time or soon after. He wanted to understand the maps, and the campaigns as it was and not a google-earth rendition. He was the first person to borrow the book in 30 years. I wonder how much longer it will be allowed to gather dust on the shelf.
Yep, Margo, it’ll get weeded. We had standards for non-fiction as to how long (i.e., copyright date) we could keep a book. The theory was that the information was outdated. But you’re right that books about historical events should still be relevant. (You might advise the Harumpher - he has another name? Jack, is it?! - to ask a librarian if there are plans to weed the WWII book and if he can be notified if/when that happens. Depends on the library system and the librarian if they’ll help him. Most library staff WANT someone to have and enjoy the book rather than recycling it.) — Pat S
DeleteAnd what will writers of historical fiction do if all the old relevant books are thrown away????
DeleteI remember at university there was the library, and then there were the stacks. You had to promise them your first child to be able see things in the stacks. I wonder if public libraries check with universities to see if they have old books that are going to recycling. I would not tell Jack (yes that is his name) about the possibility of attaining the book. I am trying NOT to bring in more stuff - any one want a motorcycle - engine included separately? Makes a nice garage ornament!
DeleteFor you fantasy fans, in 2017 Cooper gave the 5th annual Tolkien lecture at Pembroke College, Oxford, on the role of fantasy literature in contemporary society. I would love to have heard it.
ReplyDeleteI think a lot about how my moral view was shaped by the books I read as a child and teen--A Wrinkle in Time, the Narnia books, Tolkien, TH White. Of course at time I just thought they were fun and gripping!
From Judy KB My mother had East of Eden on the bookshelf when I was growing up. I was too busy reading all the Agatha Christies I could get my hands on and never got around to reading the Steinbeck. At some point in my early 20s, there was absolutely nothing to read in the house, and I finally picked it up. Now I know where OMG originally came from. It's probably my second favorite non-mystery book, right behind The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters, by Robert Lewis Taylor.
ReplyDeleteOh, I just listened to the The Dark is Rising last year. How random. And, yes, it was so good. Name the WInd by Patrick Rothfuss is one I keep coming back to but haven't read yet. Maybe it's time to pull it off the shelf!
ReplyDeleteI don't know that one, Jenn. Will look up!
DeleteI know I'm a long way from the topic of giving away or keeping books, but I wanted to say that, like Debs, I also think that the fantasies I read as a child shaped my moral world. Books like A Wrinkle in Time or Lloyd Alexander's Chronicles of Prydain (which I still have on my shelves) were about courage, loyalty, truthfulness, the power of love, and the importance of making difficult choices. In fact, many of the children's books I read, not just the fantasies, forced me to think about what it means to be a good person.
ReplyDeleteYes, absolutely, Kim. I worry about people who don't read.
DeleteI only knew Susan Cooper as the author of the poem, which is always read at the Christmas Revels in Cambridge, MA ( must go next year) and as referenced in Jane Langton’s novel “The Shortest Day: Murder at the Revels (The Homer Kelly Mysteries) Now I’ll have to track down Susan’s Books.
ReplyDeleteI think she lives in Cambridge, and was instrumental in the Revels.
DeleteIf it hadn't been for my son, I might not have ventured into reading fantasy and science fiction. While I was familiar with Susan Cooper's Dark Rising books being out there, we never seemed to get to them. We were busy reading The Chronicles of Narnia (all of them) by C.S. Lewis, A Wrinkle in Time (not all of them) by Madeleine L'Engle, a few of The Children of Green Knowe by Lucy Boston, and a few The Wolves of Willoughby Chase by Joan Aiken.
ReplyDeleteMy best book discovery of what was on my shelf unread was The Sally Lockhart Mysteries by Philip Pullman. They are four in the set, and I had the first one, The Ruby in the Smoke on my shelf. This was past when I was reading regularly with the kids while they were growing up. This book was just for me, and how I let it linger so long without reading it, I don't know. But, I quickly ordered the rest of the books--The Shadow in the North, The Tiger in the Well, and The Tin Princess. I don't think I can adequately express how much I love this short series. Oddly enough, I didn't go on to read Pullman's Dark Materials series.
And, Debs, you mentioned what Wren was reading. I have probably told you about these books, another unexpected discovery years ago, before, but in case I haven't, Ursula Le Guin's Catwings series. They're short books, but they are still in Wren's age group. Heck, I'm thinking of reading them again.
Oh, the Sally Lockhart books!! I ADORED them, and still have them all. Wasn't there some sort of TV adaptation some years ago? I read all of Pullman's His Dark Materials books, as well, but don't love them as much as Sally. I read a lot of Le Guin, but I don't remember the Catwing books. I'll look them up. Wren is really starting to read for pleasure, which makes me so happy.
DeleteCatwings! I think long ago, Kathy Boone Reel mentioned the Catwings books on this blog. I found them through our library system and loved them so much! One day, I will have my own copies to read again. The library also had them in Spanish, which was an extra treat!
DeleteLOVE Sally Lockhart books! They are on my special shelf.
DeleteThe anonymous comments above were me, and Flora, I did mention the Catwings books on this blog before. I am thrilled you loved them. Oh Debs and Hank. and I love that you love the Sally Lockhart books. Debs, there was a TV adaptation of the Sally Lockhart books, and I found it and started to watch it, but I don't know what interrupted me. I was only on the first one. I plan on going back to them.
DeleteWhat a wonderful topic - books we didn't know we had. Like the dream about a hidden room in the house. Never happens to me - it is the librarian in me - I know what I have. BUT...I have been doing the opposite. My mom had the (almost) unforgiveable habit of passing my "outgrown" books to cousins! And in the last few years, having discovered websites for old books, I have tracked down about a dozen favorites that I thought were lost forever. Including recently, the first book I ever read by myself! What fun! (Sorry I have been mostly missing- life has been difficult)
ReplyDeleteI'm very late to the post but have loved the Susan Cooper books for most of my reading life. I reread the series fairly frequently. I discovered a few years ago (and others may have posted this already) that there is an annual rereading of The Dark Is Rising each year, in real time since the story is set in mid-winter around the Christmas holiday. There is a facebook group that links/connects people who are doing the reading each year.
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