I have been wanting to write this post for a while now. I am curious if you have a book in your collection that has special meaning to you… it may be your favorite book in the world…. or it may (like in my case) be one you have never even read. It could be one a parent or adult read to you as a child that still holds fond memories or one handed down for generations. Really… it could be anything.
My most treasured book, the one I keep in a protective box, belonged to my dad. My dad died in a house fire along with my sister in 1980. This book was found in the ashes… while the cover is damaged, the pages are remarkably clean. The book is one he was given in 1966 when he was in Vietnam. It is a Viet-Anh Vietnamese to English dictionary.
I have very few items of my dads… pretty much everything was destroyed, so this is a treasure. Later this week would have been his birthday and I like to take this out of the box and touch it knowing that a long time ago, his strong hands held this book too.
I would love to hear about your book treasures…. feel free to comment here and if you do decide to write a post about yours, let me know and I will link it here.
Book Journey 
A set of encylopedias that belonged to my granded (he passed away when I was still at school. I can remember looking through them as a child and they now have pride of place on my bookcase. It’s a shame they are now too dated to be of any use to my own children.
Jo what a beautiful treasure!
Hmm, I’m going to think about this and maybe write a post later this week. I’ll like back to you. Right now I’m thinking of a book given to me by my brother (I’m sure my mom may have helped) when I was in elementary school.
I’m glad that you have this book of your dad’s.
Thanks Mary I am too…. I own very little of his… some day I will post the king salmon he caught in Alaska…. it is very big and weird…. but it was still in Alaska being stuffed at the time of the fire so I have this too 🙂
That is so cool, Sheila 🙂
The book my brother gave me was Little Women. I’ll have to post about it someday but probably not this week. Thanks for blogging about this. I love all the answers!
I am enjoying the conversation here too Mary 🙂
Oh Shelia,
Your post brought tears to my eyes. I’m so, so sorry that you and your family suffered such a tragedy.
My most treasured book is The Eugene Field Book. It’s a first edition that was given to my great grandpa in 1898 and was passed on to me by my grandpa when I was able to read. in this book I discovered what would become my favorite childhood poem of all time: THE DUEL.
Beth what an awesome book and I love that within it you found your favorite poem (which I will now have to look up!)
Thank you for sharing this 🙂
Hi, I was interested to read your ‘ favourite book ‘ comment. There are so many books and each memorable book reminds you of when you read it, where you were and importantly how old you were and how it made you feel. No book that I had read previously or since captured me more than ‘ Another Day in Paradise ‘ by Mark Reece. I was in the sixth form when Mark was in the year below at school. I knew him, but not well, however I have friends today who were good friends with him then and he was very well liked. I bought the book on Amazon thinking ‘ I’ll read this, see how it goes etc’, but from the opening page to the last word I was completely drawn in and even though I knew the basis of the story, it still made me read it from cover to cover in four days. In part, it made me cry, yet it had some great turns of phrase which even now make me smile. It’s a great story which has a local theme for me and I loved it. I just wish he’d write a sequel. That’s my favourite and I’d hang my hat on it !
Glad you found a book you love Mark! 🙂
Sheila, this post made me cry. I’m so glad you have this book of your Dad’s and think it is just wonderful that you take it out each year to love on it. Precious.
I have a number of books that I’ve saved from my childhood. Those are probably the most special ones to me. With my juvenile cursive or even printing in them. One book my Mom read to me over and over as a kid is just tattered, but I’ve kept it. Oh, and I treasure my first two Harry Potter books that I ordered from England. I was a bit ahead in the HP craze. These were before the American publisher picked up the series. I’ll never let go of those. 🙂
That would be fun to have the books you grew up with. I used to be a huge Nancy Drew reader and Hardy Boys…. I have since started collecting the original printings of Nancy Drew.
Oh and Harry Potter, I keep my series of those on the top shelf 🙂
I have two books that I treasure. They are Christy by Catherine Marshall and Anne of Green Gables by L.M Montgomery. I was introduced to both through TV/Movies. My sisters and I loved watching the Anne series over and over growing up. I still remember watching the first episode of Christy with my grandmother on an Easter evening MANY years ago. Now when I pick up either book it brings back fond memories.
I have never watched Christy but have seen Anne of Green Gables! 🙂 I love that these books bring you memories to smile on 🙂
I have two old books given to my mother in 1921 when she was a child. In my childhood, I read them over and over. I haven’t read them since, but about four years ago, a year before she died, my mom gave them to me to keep. When I was eighteen, I worked in a library for a year and repaired the bindings on the old books. She said that this told her how much the books meant to me.
They hold pride of place in my dining room Baker’s rack, along with copies of my own creations and a few other favorite books. Someday, I plan to read them again.
I forgot to mention their names: Cornelli, by Johanna Spyri (author of Heidi), and Elsie Dinsmore, by Martha Finley. As far as I know, neither of these books is in print any longer.
They’re children’s books.
What a gift Laurel! And a definite treasure! I am not familiar with either title – of course I do know the book Heidi 🙂
How awesome you know how to bind books too… there is a talent I would like to have!
My most treasured book is a special edition copy of Emily Dickinson poems. It was a gift from my parents when I was a child. She was (and still is) my favorite poet.
That sounds like a beautiful gift! 🙂
I have a red leather bound book of Lalla Rookh which belonged to a woman in Illinois who was like a grandmother to me. She gave it to me when she saw how much I loved to read. I keep it safe; will always have it.
What a great memory and treasure Barbara! I love the gift of books. Its like giving an adventure… and in your case, a memory 🙂
A couple of years ago, my best friend tracked down a first edition copy of Leon Uris’s Trinity for me. Not a valuable book, really – but valuable to me in that it’s one of my all-time favorite and she cared enough to track it down for me. 🙂
Carrie I love that! I think that is so thoughtful and a great gift! 🙂
that is the most special thing ever! I have a post coming up about comfort books but this is a wonderful treasure to have.
I will look forward to that post Gina…. I have a whole other category for comfort books! 😀
My most treasured book came from my Grandma Jennie, in 1976 while back here on a vacation, with my mother and some of the 6 siblings. Being March in MN we kids where pretty limited on what we could, as we flew back and didn’t bring all of our winter gear. Bored out of my mind my Grandma handed me a book and told me it was her favorite book and was sure I too would love it as much. It was a big book for a young 10 year old reader and I knew I would never be able to finish it while here, and she assured me that I could take it home and return it to her later. I still have that book today as she told me to keep as a gift. It is the only thing I have of my Grandmother Salfisberg and the all time best book and story. It is the The Secret Garden, not only is it a great story but that book was likely one of the main reason I am an avid reader today. As I hold the book today thumbing threw it, I know how special this book always has been to me but I see that the, Copyright date 1911 by Frances Hodgon Burnett and The Phillips Publishing Co. Which means I am holding a 100 year old book and a piece of history as well.
Ok Kari, that brought tears to my eyes! What a beautiful book with a great story inside and out!
My most treasured book came from my Grandma Jennie, in 1976 while back here on a vacation, with my mother and some of the 6 siblings. Being March in MN we kids where pretty limited on what we could, as we flew back and didn’t bring all of our winter gear. Bored out of my mind my Grandma handed me a book and told me it was her favorite book and was sure I too would love it as much. It was a big book for a young 10 year old reader and I knew I would never be able to finish it while here, and she assured me that I could take it home and return it to her later. I still have that book today as she told me to keep as a gift. It is the only thing I have of my Grandmother Salfisberg and the all time best book and story. It is the The Secret Garden, not only is it a great story but that book was likely one of the main reason I am an avid reader today. As I hold the book today thumbing threw it, I know how special this book always has been to me but I see that the, Copyright date 1911 by Frances Hodgson Burnett and The Phillips Publishing Co. Which means I am holding a 100 year old book and a piece of history as well.
when i was in the 7th/8th grade i had an english techer, miss lynn, who really encourged my love of reading. she brought me books from her personal collection…the one i most remeber was the pink house…about a year ago i went on amazon and got a copy of it…..i need to reread it soon
it is wonderful you have the book of your dad’s and that you know the story behind it…that’s what really makes it special!
Teachers like that are wonderful! I too look for books that have touched me in my past. Thank you for sharing this story 🙂
I am constantly surprised and stunned whenever I drop by your blog, Sheila. You are not only super-woman (for which I am always in awe!) but you also have had to deal with such tragedies and yet just get on with life, living it to the full. You are a pretty inspirational person to me!
I have a first edtions signed copy of Life of Pi that my husband bought me for our “wood” anniversary becasue he knew I loved the book so much. I love it!
I think a lot of the reason I live life to the full, is because of the tragedy that has been in my life…. I think it reminds me how precious life is and if there is something you want to try, you should make time to do it…. I have met wonderful people while experiencing life 😀
Love the first edition of Pi story and signed AND from your hubby! That is an awesome gift! 🙂
I am so sad for your loss. What a treasure to have as a remembrance of your dad.
My most treasured book is a leather bound edition of Little Women. Even though I did not read this book until I was in my 20s, it is a book I read several times to help me escape from a rough time in my life. My mom and I used to watch the movie version over and over when she was sick. Reading the book brings me a quiet comfort and makes me feel like I am somehow sharing the story with my mom all over again.
I have several books that bring me back to a certain time in my life, but this one is my favorite.
Thank you Alison 🙂
Books can make for wonderful escapes…. you made me smile when you said reading this books brings you back as though you were sharing the story again. That is a beautiful memory. 🙂
My most treasured books are some of the ones that my grandmother gave me, especially if they have her writing in it. I was very close to her and she passed away a few years ago.
That would be wonderful Meg! I have several cook books my mom gave me… she even signed them inside… and the boys received books for Christmas the year after she passed away that she had already purchased and signed…. what a gift 🙂
Beautiful post, Sheila. What a treasure you found after such a tragedy. My most treasured books are the ones my favorite aunt who is 85 and still an avid reader, has passed on to me.
I bet that is wonderful Jill! I have a couple aunts who read I should connect with them more on swapping books out 🙂
First of all, I had no idea that you had endured this kind of tragedy in your life. I’m so sorry you had to go through that. You have a wonderful memento of your father in that book. I know it must bring you comfort.
I actually have a small library full of treasured books. My mom kept all of the books that my sister and I had growing up. Golden Books and early readers all the way up through chapter books. My sister’s kids (who are all grown now) had them first and now I have them for my boys and will save them for my grandkids. Some treasures among them….a ton of Dr. Seuss books, a set of Nancy Drews, and The Velveteen Rabbit.
Michelle – that is only half my story but when I say it all together it is truly… unbelievable 🙂
I love that your mom saved the books you read as a child…. that is a smart idea and I bet you hang on to them with love and memories. 🙂
When I read your post I said out loud “Me too!” I think we belonged to every book club growing up, and how wonderful that our moms thought to keep all the books for OUR kids!
Most treasured volume is also one I’ve never read…it’s an old book of poetry by Robert Browning. It was my grandma’s, and there’s a lovely inscription in it, telling me that it was a gift from her best friend on her 18th birthday. I’ve read a few of the poems, but not most of it.
Runners-up…probably If You Want to Write by Brenda Ueland, which was life-changing and has favorite quotes marked throughout, or The Little White Bird by J. M. Barrie, set in Kensington Gardens and which I once carried around Kensington Gardens looking for landmarks…
What great memories Cheryl! I bet the one with from your grandma is precious! I love that it was a birthday gift to her…now passed to you.
What a sweet and touching post!
For me, the book that means the most to me also reminds me of my dad. My dad was not a reader and passed away unexpectedly last year. He was, however, a cowboy so Lonesome Dove for me is a way to get lost in a time that was and remember the type of wonderful guy my dad was.
What a great way to remember your dad. So sorry for your loss…. it is hard when it is sudden, but I guess really there is no easy way.
*hugs!*
It would be really hard for me to pick just one. I love my signed 1st edition of Possession, and some of my childhood books. what a neat question to ponder, and post about! I may steal this idea sometime soon!
Go ahead and take it Marie 😀
I love collecting my childhood books…. I have worked on replacing them as everything was lost in the fire – having the originals that I read as a child would be a true treasure!
Sheila, what a beautiful post. My girls were sitting with me when I read it and it made my heart ache for you.
Thank you Bonnie – I figured if I had a special book – many of you must too 🙂
Thank you for sharing your story with us. My most treasured book is called Women by Annie Leibovitz. It’s a huge book of portraits that Leibovitz have taken of women famous and ordinary. What makes me treasure this book is not only the subject matter but the fact that my mother bought it for me. Growing up my parents indulged in my reading interests even when we couldn’t afford it. My mother bought Women for me as a token of thanks for watching my younger sisters everyday when I could have gone to college or even got a job instead. That book was very expensive but she bought it knowing that I wanted it. It’s one more reminder to me how much my mother loves me.
That is a wonderful story and a true treasure Vasilly! Thank you for sharing that. 🙂
Sheila, I know how much you treasure anything that was your mom’s, dad’s or sister’s. I know how special that book is to you.
My most treasured book is my Grandmother’s bible. It has her hand written notes in it. She passed away in 1997, the same year as my Grandfather, and my Dad. My step-sister “smuggled” it to me a few years ago, after she had been going through Grandmother’s trunk. She gave it to me and said, of the 6 kids, I would appreciate it the most. I truly treasure it.
Thanks Joelle… you made me tear up here. 🙂 That is a great treasure! I write in mine… thoughts, quotes, etc… where I was when I read it…. etc… I hope someday it will be a keepsake to someone – maybe one of the boys.
SO GOOD to hear from you friend!
My most treasured book is called Obsequies of Abraham Lincoln: in Union Square, New York, April 25, 1865.
It’s not in that great of shape, so I keep it in a protective box. My grandmother found it in the attic of my grandparents’ home back in Virginia. 25,000 copies were made for libraries and government buildings only, so I have no idea how it got there. Anyway, it’s my oldest book. 146 years old!
WOW Christy – that sounds amazing – and 146 years old! Very Very cool! I love old books!
Late to your beautiful post Sheila but still wanted to comment, I had tears in my eyes reading it.
My most treasured book is special for a similar reason to your’s. I picture my mum sitting there reading this book as a young girl, fingering the pages, she has marked favourite quotes and left messages in it. Mum told me this book would eventually be passed on to me and when she passed away almost 3 years it was wrapped in one of her embroidered cloths with a message to me, she hoped that re-visiting the stories and the memories would bring me as much happiness as it brought her. It does, when I pick it up it brings her closer.
The book is the 1921 Puck Annual, it’s a mix of stories, cartoons, illustrations, tales, and craft suggestions and was given to mum by her mum.
{{Hugs}}
OH that sounds wonderful Sheree…. I like the addition of the note, from your mom. *hugs* to you too!
My most treasured book is a book signed by Anthony Horowitz because of the story behind me getting it signed. Its a personalised signing, not just with my name but with a personalised message as well. I must blog about how it happened some time.
That sounds really interesting Abigail – yes, blog about it… I would love to hear the details 🙂
I am grateful to have my mother’s Bible and I will pass this Bible to my children. My most treasured novel that I have in my library is The Story of Edger Sawtelle. This novel became a favorite of mine after I purchased it and read it … not because someone gave it to me. The novel is brilliantly written and emotionally driven. It’s a novel that can’t be read just once. I am mesmerized by the story and brilliant way it portrayed. I will give this novel to someone in my family but for now I will keep it in my library as I will read it again.
That is a wonderful treasure Steve – I did not have a bible handed down to me but am working on making my own “a treasure” for one of my boys some day… I keep notes in it and prayer messages….
I have never read The Story of Edgar Sawtelle… now I want to. 🙂
Sheila, I am sure you would love The Edger Sawtelle Story. In 2008 Oprah listed this book as one of her favorite things. I read this book because of what Oprah stated about this book. I also read the following from Stephen King: “Wonderful, mysterious, long and satisfying: readers who pick up this novel are going to enter a richer world. I envy them the trip. I don’t reread many books, because life is too short. I will be rereading this one.” I agree with King this book can’t be read just once.
I am interested Steve and thank you for the recommendation (although Oprah and I do not always agree on what a good book is….LOL)
I agree with you that many of Oprah Book Club nominations are not too my liking. Case in point, her book club recommended Freedom, By Jonathan Franzen and I found the book to be erratically constructed, profoundly disturbing, and a complete disappointment. He is characterized as a great American Literary Writer; however, if this book is an example of great American literature then I may need to start reading more foreign authors. LOL
I have not read that one Steve – I was curious about it but not real sure if it is a fit for me…. I may pass on that one 🙂
i have a couple books that belonged to the grandma I never knew (she died before my first birthday) that really help me feel a connection with her. They’re pretty special to me.
I bet they are Hannah! What a wonderful gift to you!
Yes, I’m so happy to have them! 🙂
Sounds lame, but my most treasure book is a bible that US Steel Canada gave me when my father died 3 years ago in July.
That’s not lame that is wonderful – it has meaning to you and you associate it with a memory of your dad- that’s all that is important 🙂
That is indeed a book to treasure. I’m so glad you have it.
Thanks Kathy 😀 I am too.
Thank you for sharing “Your Most Treasured Book” and the touching story about recovering your dad’s dictionary. I am a little misty eyed after reading your post because my most treasured book is also from my father. It is a well worn 1920s edition of “The Common Book of Prayer” given to him by a chaplain during the years he was in prison. This book must have been a source of solace and comfort for him during very bleak times. I also have very few possessions from my dad after losing him last year and only discovered this when sorting his things… So now this pocket sized volume is a balm to me too during difficult times when I sense his presence within its pages.
Angela that is a great keepsake – I am so glad you have it 🙂
Thank you for sharing your story. I’m so glad you have something to help you remember your father.
I think of my father when I see the copy of Pride and Prejudice I bought as a child from those book flyers they sent home from school. My dad had a change dish filled with quarters and he knew I’d take the money to buy books. He would replenish the dish knowing that I’d snatch the coins again. I guess he figured I could spend it on worse things. 😉
I used to love those book flyers Anna 🙂 I love the change dish story – that is a sweet memory!