a late discovery
(Originally published on journalstar.com on 3/10/2008)
One of the things that made first grade different from kindergarten was that as first graders, we were allowed to check out books from the school library. We went as a class every Tuesday afternoon and everyone got to check out one book. Honestly, I wasn’t that impressed by this privilege. The library was arranged by grades, and all the books recommended for first graders gave me the willies. You’d open them up and pages would be torn or there would be some kid’s booger in there sticking two pages together.
But one Tuesday I found a treasure on the shelf…
a brand new book. It wasn’t a storybook, it was a picture book to identify butterflies and bees, and I was the first very person to check it out. It was a hardcover, and it had super glossy pages with bright butterflies and bumblebees flying around over grassy fields with little names written by them in script. I could not believe my luck. I checked the book out and looked at it every night in my bed. I was so careful with it.
The book felt like it should be mine and I got very attached to it. They might as well have let me take home a puppy and then asked for it back after a week. I renewed it, twice. Twice was the limit on renewing.
This is kind of embarrassing, but I remember the day I had to return the bug book very clearly. I actually kissed it goodbye (eeks) before putting it in the blue milk crate designated for return books. I could only imagine what kind of crayon-scribbling, page bending, food-spilling horror was about to happen to it now. The librarian asked if I was crying and I was a little bit horrified that it was so obvious, and told her that I was not.
***
I don’t know why I’d never gone into a used book store before today; I wasn’t avoiding them on purpose. Maybe, somewhere deep in my subconscious, that whole bug book trauma had something to do with it?
But I finally went into one, on a mission to find some books I could make notes in for research purposes. I loved it. I loved it like I love coffeehouses and beaches and art shows.
There’s a whole used bookstore smell and used bookstore feeling that I never knew about! Plus if you fall in love with something you can take it home permanently.
I don’t want to ever be done finding new favorite things.
Beautiful!
My library book growing up was “Walter Was A Frog.” Mom would check it out and read it to me every night until it was due back. After the one allowed renewal, we would return it. But the next time we went to the library, I would seek out the book, and the cycle would repeat itself. We checked that book out so many times we filled up the due date card, and the librarian had to get a new one.
Thank you for making me remember that.
That is, by far, the most adorable story I have ever read. Thank you for sharing.
I’ve always loved the feeling of being surrounded by books, it is a comfort.Then you slowly browse and find things that stand out.
Library tuesday , what a memory. I wish they still had nap time and non-politically correct childrens books. Good Story and good luck with your Video of the year award!!!!
This is why I’d like to see you write more. You have such a gift for weaving a sweet, yet intriguing story.
When I was little, I was in love with a book called ‘Curly Cobbler & the Happy Return’. It was about a little mouse cobbler who finds an abandoned clog and turns it into a boat for him and his friend Fifinella the fairy. I used to renew it and renew it and return it, then get it out again every week. Finally it was cancelled by the library and put up for sale, so my mum bought it for me for about .50 cents. I’ve still got it, and I’ve just seen that someone is selling a copy on ebay for 32 pounds!!!
i was a lucky child having had parents who love books and thought that the gift of a book was the highest honor to bestow upon a five year old. i am a grand mimi now and my little olivia who is six months old is reading Harry Potter And The Sorcerers Stone for the fifth time already.
As I said when I voted. Brigitte – you are an inspiration. Please never stop writing or doing what you do.
xxd
Wait … what? Seriously, you’ve never been in a used bookstore before?? That makes ME want to cry – although knowing that you’ve now discovered them allows me to shed tears of joy. Your world is now much better for it.
This was lovely, you described the feeling in words so simple. I always have loved books, and I hated to return a book I love because I just knew that I would want to read it again sometime. So I bought books until my mother told me that it was quite enough, there wasn’t that much room left, and so I stopped reading for a little while because of that. But now I am learning to go get a book and be OK with returning it a while later. Its been a hard process though, and sometimes I still try to get away with buying one I REALLY love.
. Im just really glad that Im not the only one who hates returning books.
Bridgette – you ROCK !!!
I downloaded all of your videoblogs from iTunes (no viruses I hope !) and can’t wait to watch the rest of them. You have a bright future and I can’t wait to see how your story turns out. Working for the NY Times, or Bill Moyer, I bet !
Thank You for giving your terminal cuteness to us to brighten these dark times.
I had two library books, Holly the Christmas Doll: and The Talking Eggs. I checked them out every chance I had for the better part of three years.
Your story reminded me of my very first love affair with a book. It was back in 1964 when I was in second grade. The book was called The Earth, Moon and the Stars. Astronomy was SO cool back then because of the astronauts and all that Right Stuff…stuff
…plus I was totally in love with my second grade teacher, Mrs. Foster who suggested the book to me. Thanks for the memory!
I miss reading books that don’t cost $300, textbooks. Thank you for making me smile, even after I have been studying for hours and hours.
Hello,
Super post, Need to mark it on Digg
Joker
All the best pro your future.
Whoa, this is great-a whole new trove of stuff I hadn’t read before. I know you’re writing a book (or books) and I know I’m going to buy one brand new with nobody’s boogers in it. Not even mine. WE
[...] banned books and why censorship makes me laugh – buffy holtDavid Hone – Climate Change Advisor for Shell » Blog Archive » A Catch 22 for the EUThe Engtovo Chronicles » Blog Archive » Shame on You Mitch Battros!!Peter Golenbock Books » Blog Archive » How Dartmouth Changed My LifeBrigitte Dale » a late discovery [...]
Reasonable wanted to assert HI. I found your blog a scattering days ago on Technorati and beget been reading it to the existence few days.
brigittedale.com – go to my favorites!!!
Unfortunately we didn’t have a school library when I was in elementary school. However we had a homeroom teacher who took us on a tour of our local public library when we were in second grade. We all received library cards granting us the privilege to take home up to three books for a maximum of three weeks without any payment.
All we had to do was return the books undamaged and on time.
I don’t think anybody would believe just how many books I’ve read before the cards expired and the public library system changed.
I still read whenever I get the chance.
Let us know when You’ve finished Your book.
Hello Brigitte,
Was it this book:
http://books.google.com/books?id=0lUAAAAAYAAJ&oe=UTF-8
Read Digital copy here, unfortunately without pics:
http://www.archive.org/stream/butterfliesandb00morlgoog/butterfliesandb00morlgoog_djvu.txt
: )
That one is for sale here:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/customer-media/product-gallery/B000865A88/ref=cm_ciu_pdp_images_all
I know it was published in 1905 and I’m not saying you’re old, but this is a lovely looking book, and it is on butterflies and bees.
i definitely enjoy your posting style, very exciting.
don’t quit and keep creating due to the fact that it simply just nicely to read it,
looking forward to browse through a lot more of your current content, regards!