Mr. Curio's Vintage Books

Tag: books

  • It comes as no surprise

    It comes as no surprise

    How do you unwind after a demanding day?

    I read, of course!

    You may think that after a busy day of searching for books, researching books, taking pictures of books, cataloging and listing books, I’d be all “booked out.”

    On the contrary!

    There is nothing better at the end of a long day than settling into my old leather recliner, faithful cat companion, Jinx, on my lap and a hot cup of Earl Grey tea at my elbow.

    They type of day I have will often dictate the book I choose. A particularly busy day calls for something fun and lighthearted.  Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest comes to mind.

    A normal busy day draws me to some of my favorite Ray Bradbury stories with his vivid imagery,  lyrical prose and exploration of human emotion. I also enjoy how he cleverly juxtaposes the fantastic with the ordinary.

    If the day has been light, and my brain can take some extra flexing, I love reading up on some of my favorite philosophers like Schopenhauer or Kant. I mean, who doesn’t love Kant?

  • I owe it all to Mom

    I owe it all to Mom

    Describe a positive thing a family member has done for you.

    I would not likely be in this place, doing what I do, if it wasn’t for my mother.

    She instilled in me a love for books at a very early age. I remember when I was just a little nipper, I’d leave my books carelessly on the floor. She told me, “Books are your friends, treat them well.” I gave her a look only a stubborn eight-year old can give, and she explained further. “Books always have something to teach you. They will never let you down.”

    So, it was around that time, mom started taking me to the public library every other Wednesday night, maybe as a way to respect the written word. I loved it there. It was so quiet and it smelled good, like ancient wisdom. We would spend at least an hour there meandering through the tall shelves. So many things to learn and know about!

    At that age, I gravitated to snakes, dinosaurs and Ripley Believe it or Not books, but I explored many other things as I got older. It is where I first discovered my favorite author, Ray Bradbury.

    My mom’s words still ring in my ears to this day. More than just the sheer possession of books, she instilled in me the love of learning and staying curious.