Decorating by the Book(s)!

Apparently I come from a loooooong list of voracious readers. On all sides of my family! 

It seems as though whenever

anyone in my family has died,

there have always been lots of books

left behind.

To which everyone always says,

"Lori will take them."

"Box 'em up for Lori."

Such has been the case

since I was in high school.

Long before I taught literature.

And I couldn't be happier

to get them.

It is a win/win.

I not only get wonderful, beautiful, priceless,

old books;

but I have tangible pieces of my legacy, my past.

I like to imagine my relatives 

using the books,

day after day,

time after time.

Personally,

I can read a good book

many times.

Apparently

I come from others

that also liked to 

read

and 

reread

the same book.

I have Classics.

I have children's books

by the dozens.

All bearing witness to 

countless hours 

of love.

I have books that when

my great-great-grandparents 

were making their way 

from Ireland to America,

and could only bring the 

necessities....

still found a way to bring

a favorite book,

to remember their homeland.

Don't think that doesn't

put a lump in my throat

every single time

I view it!

I love the

muted colors

of the 

book collection.

It is as though they 

are calling to us.

Come sit.

Come read.

Then one will 

pop out

with its 

red boldness

or splash of

cover color,

"Read me. Read me first!"

Pictures and books

and 

picture books.

All with years of love.

And across the room

more books.

More love.

More history.

You know what I also love about

these books?

I teach many of the same stories

to my students 

each year.

Just imagine how many 

thousands

and thousand

have read the

very words

in these books.

And that is how I decorate...

by the book(s)!!

I am linking this to Metamorphosis Monday.  Also Wow Us Wednesday's and Open House Thursday. And Farmhouse Friday. Come take a look!