A shelf full of books

Mom mentioned to me recently that she and Daddy have been thinking a bit about their living situation. They are getting into their upper seventies, and perhaps it is time for them to think about moving into a condo. "Of course, we'll have to consolidate our things," she remarked ruefully.

"Well, if you ever get to the point of thinking of culling some of your stuff, I want to speak up for dibs on that Harper & Row collection you have of the classics of literature. And the three digest compendiums of the world's great literature."

"Really?" Mom said. "Well, you'd probably be the best person to get them. Why don't I just send them to you now?"

And so she did, and they arrived yesterday. This was a shelf full of books, about fifty or so, of classic novels and short story collections. They were one of the best things my parents gave to us kids: a collections of books that opened my imagination. I spent hundreds of happy hours curled up with these books, and it was there, within those pages, that I first dreamed of becoming a writer. Many of them were assigned in school, in junior high and high school, and it was nice to have copies ready at hand.

I unpacked the box with Delia, almost overcome with nostalgia and excitement. Ivanhoe. Great Expectations. The Swiss Family Robinson--I must have read that one dozens of times. Kidnapped. Two Years Before the Mast. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. The Picture of Dorian Grey. Jude the Obscure. Moby Dick. Silas Marner. Pride and Prejudice. Native Son. The Moonstone. Jane Eyre. The Mill on the Floss. The Scarlet Letter. The House of Seven Gables.

"Which one should I start with?" Delia asked.

"Maybe Treasure Island. Or you might try Kidnapped, or The Prince and the Pauper or maybe The Swiss Family Robinson. You could try reading the first chapter of each, and see which one intrigues you the most.

I also gloated over the digest compendiums. In three volumes, these books gave a precis of hundreds of novels and plays, giving a list of major characters, a plot summary, and a few critical remarks about what was important or unique or groundbreaking about the work. I would often browse these digests when trying to decide what to read next.

I am delighted to have these books to share with Fiona and Delia.

I have the copy of Ivanhoe tucked into my bag today.

(But Mom and Dad: what happened to all the beautiful dust jackets???)