Books and Letters

Most of the postal people I correspond with are also book people. It must be the sheer love of words.

"She had always wanted words, she loved them; grew up on them.  Words gave her clarity, brought reason, shape." Michael Ondaatje. (The English Patient)

Sigh... 

One of my favorite subjects to correspond with others about is, of course, books. I want to know what you're reading. Do you love it? Hate it? Recommend it? Who are your favorite authors? Genres? What is on your TBR (to be read) pile? I often find myself stuck in my favorite rut and want to be challenged to read outside my usual genres. I have a penpal who undertook a Dewey Decimal reading challenge and read one or two books from each category of the Dewey Decimal system every month. I was so inspired, I followed suit. So interesting! (She's a librarian, by the way. They make the best pen pals!)

I have a few young pen pals to whom I send books or book recommendations. I love to write and ask them their thoughts on the books. It's like book club without the hassel of actually leaving one's house. Introverts of the world, unite! (But just through the completely non-threatening method of mail. Winning!)

Every year I set a reading goal and keep track of my books. For 2018 I think I might try to write a letter about each book I read and send it to a bookish pal with questions to discuss via post. Doesn't that sound heavenly?

"She reads books as one would breathe air, to fill up and live." Annie Dillard. (The Living)

So, go read a book! And then write a letter about it, of course. It's magic! 

Go Postal, Everybody!

XOXO

Mrs. Murphy