I’ve always been something of a book collector. I love adding new books, or rather, new  old books to my collection, and there’s something cozy and home-like about looking at shelves well stocked with good books. I highly doubt that my collections match those of some certain friends who likely will build their walls of solid bookshelves some day in the future, and while my near constant reading during my childhood has dwindled down rather sadly in these past years, I still find in books companions, encouragement, and strength often just when I need it.

I’m guessing that is why the house feels so empty and I feel sort of forlorn when the bookshelves are empty and the books are stashed out of my reach in boxes for transportation to a new home. In fact, had I known it’d be near 5 years before I had at least some of my books out for easy access when I packed them up in Alaska, I don’t know what I’d have done. And now I keep eying my newly packed boxes of books uneasily, and hoping that it won’t be another five years before I can get my hands on them again. I’m already missing them, and keep turning to the shelves to refer to something I know is right before me only to find an empty and dusty shelf. I know that one thing is sure- I can’t wait to have them back again!

There’s something about a good book that gets to the heart in a way that words on their own may never be able to do. They have this way of reaching into the soul, of awakening the good and beautiful desires of the heart and challenging us to reach for new levels of growth. They have a way of influencing us, our lives, our actions and even our language ( I speak as a girl who grew up reading and hearing pilgrims progress from the age of five and up and will add olde English words and phrases into every day language with out thinking twice, and only later notice the slightly odd looks on the faces of strangers who probably do wonder if I am completely all there.). Books are food for the brain and the soul. That’s why it is important to pick good books, and to feed our minds on only the best sort of food!

Of all the times to be reading, this transition time would probably not be one of the best of them, and while I don’t imagine you’ll hear a whole lot from me about the books that I love this coming month, in the spirit of the Reading Challenge that I’ve hosted for a few years (and that is currently going on right now!), for the love of books- good, wholesome books-I think you should take a moment and share about a book that has touched your life in the blog carnival coming up next month on YLCF. And just maybe, if time is kind to me and packing doesn’t wear out my brain, you’ll find out about “The Heart of A Rose“, and why “Little Women” has been a book I’ve read and reread for more than the beautiful story that it contains.

I don’t doubt that somewhere in the mix of all the books that I’m sure are going to be written about, you’ll find one that challenges and encourages your heart to grow, just like my old friends now boxed do for me. Now let’s get on to that March of Books!