Letting Go

When we moved into our house I finally had space to take some of my old things still residing at my parents' house. I particularly looked forward to acquiring my extensive L.M. Montgomery collection. I imagined lining them up on our bookshelves and admiring them.

But the reality is that we don't have the space and the books sat in a box for a year and a half. This week I let myself admit the hard truth: I can't keep them here anymore. Okay, I am keeping the first few Anne books, but the rest need to be released.

Other than space, the pressing issue is that this is Florida. Stuff gets funky. Paper stuff gets really funky. I was such a good librarian-in-training 25 years ago that even though they have age issues (discoloration, odor) they hardly have any creases or dents. I treasured them. So before the whole collection spoils and is useful to no one, I am going to donate them to my library's book sale. Maybe the book sale won't want them but I can't think like that! I am going to cling to the thought that the books will get to the sale and some wonderful person will be thrilled to her fingertips. The books deserve to be out and about and not just admired once a year or whenever I get around to cleaning out the closet. I am a hopeless romantic...which you probably figured out since I have a zillion Anne books.

From 7th grade through high school I scoured book stores and libraries for titles. I checked the book list in the front of each Bantam Books edition for new titles. Among the Shadows? What is this?! I fortunately began my obsession during the resurgence of Anne due to the TV series. (See well loved AoGG in above picture.) Older and obscure L. M. Montgomery stories were collected and republished and it just fed my fascination. It was a perfect storm of swooning nerdy teenage awesomeness.

Thanks for being my friends, dear beloved books. I hope you encounter another kindred spirit and bring some light into her life.

Your obedient servant,
joanna

Anne of Green Gables, Anne of Avonlea, Anne of the Island, Anne of Windy Poplars, Anne's House of Dreams, Anne of Ingleside, Rainbow Valley, Rilla of Ingleside
Emily of New Moon,  Emily Climbs, Emily's Quest
Pat of Silver Bush, Mistress Pat
The Blue Castle
Magic for Marigold
Jane of Lantern Hill
The Story Girl, The Golden Road
A Tangled Web
Kilmeny of the Orchard
Chronicles of Avonlea, Further Chronicles of Avonlea
After Many Days
Akin to Anne
Among the Shadows
The Road to Yesterday
Along the Shore
At the Altar
The Doctor's Sweetheart and Other Stories
Maud: the Life of L.M. Montgomery by Harry Bruce

(See also : Top 10 YA, and prequel review.)