New Books for the New Year

Do I need any more books? Most would cry “certainty not”! Luckily, my loved ones are not in that crowd and sent me some off-the-charts special books this Christmas.

One from my sister and the other from a good friend — both of whom listened to me whine about know how much I miss my bookstore gig.

Both take place in Scotland (sigh of pleasure) – the first is a novel about a women who inherits a cottage in Scotland and opens a bookshop (yes, please), and the second is a true account of a bookseller running an idyllic bookshop in Wigtown, Scotland– a famous town known for its used bookshops (on my travel bucket list).

Also, just look at this hand-painted bookmark my artist friend made for me…another sigh.

Then, early in December, Husband asked me if there was something I wanted, but couldn’t (or wouldn’t) justify purchasing and he would get it for me. What a question! My response could have resulted in an exorbitant gift, but husband was secure in knowing it would likely be a book, rather than a car or jewelry.

You see, I already own a beautiful copy of Little Women in my grandfather’s classics, so I couldn’t really rationalize a second copy.

But I really, really wanted this one.

Why?

This edition is special. It contains pockets throughout containing gorgeous, removable replicas of significant letters, the home playbills, and other ephemera from the story, re-created with beautiful calligraphy and painstaking detail.

From the book’s blurb: “Pull out each one, peruse its contents, and allow yourself to be transported to the parlor of the March family home.”

And transported I shall be.

This rainy New Year’s weekend, I’ll be happily perusing my new books.

I shall end this year with a sincere and hopeful Book Barmy wish for 2023