Eileen Goudge

Books, books, books

I used to live in a house filled with books. Everywhere you looked were bookshelves, all crammed with everything my husband and I had ever read (along with about ten years worth of Sandy’s car magazines). And then there were the foreign editions of my books. One whole wall was devoted just to titles of mine translated into twenty-five languages - from Korean to Finnish to…you name it. I couldn’t keep track of them all, there were so many. I didn’t even know which books were which, or from which country, since I only speak and read one foreign language (Spanish). I tried donating some of my excess stock to libraries, but even they reached their limits after a while.

Then we moved from 2,400 square feet into 975 square feet. Our modern efficiency apartment is plenty roomy if you don’t plan on throwing a big party, having tons of people over for Thanksgiving, or expanding your family. It even has bookshelves – just not that many. So I’ve had to be creative when it comes to books. First, all the books from the old house went into storage (until such time as I feel up to the task of sorting through them all. ) Now, when I’ve read a book I pass it on. I realized I was hanging on to books I would never read again solely because I felt it was my solemn duty as a one-woman Library of Congress. Either that, or I was using books as a wall treatment. What’s wonderful about the new system is that I now get to introduce friends and family to new authors they haven’t heard of. I can also give them the pleasure of reading a current title by an author they know and love. Books are meant to be read, not languish on a shelf. One day I may even stumble upon a family of Finns in New York on holiday who would love to lug home a suitcase full of my titles translated into Finnish…

Speaking of book giveaways…you can win a free copy of my current title ONCE IN A BLUE MOON by entering this contest at romancereaderschoice.com. (a wonderful site for all booklovers, by the way) http://romancereaderschoice.com/content/giveaway/
Even if you’ve already read the book, enter the contest anyway: If you win, you can give the book to a loved one…

Read or make comments for this article

I used to be the sam...

Comment from: Sky (Guest)

I used to be the same way, of course I probably didn't have the amount you did! It was so hard let a book go, but now that I pass them along, I know they are being enjoyed as much as I enjoyed them. A book is supposed to be read, not sit on a shelf.

Post a new comment to this article

Nickname Your nickname: Empty field not allowed

Website or Email An URL or Email Address to contact you.

Verification Code Please write the numbers you see in the image

Comments are held for approval by the Admin

Pages: 1 - 1 comments

Eileen's Latest Articles

Look at all the boats

According to my mom, the first complete sentence I ever uttered, as a child, was as we were passing a harbor, and I said, “Look at all the boats!” So it was only fitting that I shoul...

July 30, 2010 | Read the story +

Footsteps in the Flour

My sister Karen sent me some family photos the other day. It brought a smile and brought back some priceless memories. I especially like the photo of my dad holding me when I was two month...

July 26, 2010 | Read the story +

Birthday Boy

If coming up with a gift suggestions for yourself is hard, trying figuring out what to get for the guy who has everything. Today is my husband Sandy’s birthday and I am breathing a sigh of...

July 23, 2010 | Read the story +

Boys and their cars

Boys and their cars… My husband is crazy about old cars. His dream is to someday own a ‘70’s Mercedes Pagoda. At night, his bedtime reading is old car magazines. ...

July 19, 2010 | Read the story +

One Last Dance

Oh, gosh, I remember when I was writing One Last Dance – that tickle of excitement that quickly builds when you think, “I’m on to something here.” The concept: On the eve...

July 16, 2010 | Read the story +

Latest Comments

valerie (Guest) said:


	"I aboslutely love your books!!! i have not read one yet I did not like!" on Everything but ....

Susan (Guest) said:


	"I feel the very same way. The three of us have never argued over who got what when my father d(...)" on The Little Red ....

Petula (Guest) said:


	"Fabulous post. I often think that "adopted" family members understand the meaning of unconditio(...)" on Families are li....

Redcurlz (Guest) said:


	"Just happened to pick up The Diary and you now have another fan for life! I was amazed with th(...)" on My brother Jim.