I know gift books and Christmas are not synonymous, but they are quite knotted together for me.
When I started school and learned to read in English I received not one, but two copies of The Five Little Peppers and How they Grey from two different uncles and aunts. Being the oldest of four (and then of five a bit later) myself, I spent many hours reading those books to my siblings. (After we wore out one, Mom let us have the other).
These five fatherless children and their mother were very poor and yet managed to have little joys and pleasant surprises. When they met Jasper King the rich boy and befriended him, they ended up with a move and new adventures.
My brothers, Ernie and Tommy, and my sisters, Elsie and Erma, and I too - we all loved that story. Looking back now, I realize that it did me a unique favour. I learned to read aloud with dramatic emphasis, overcoming a dyslexia I didn't even know I had.
When I was twelve I received a book for Christmas from my Aunt Jean. It was a young adult paperback by Francena H. Arnold, called, "Not My Will."
We spent Christmas Day at Gran'ma and Gran'pa's old grey farmhouse, which was full of other guests too, but I disappeared into the long cool bedroom where my Mom's siblings slept when they were growing up. (Uncle Henry was still using it, with extra guest beds set up). Sprawled diagonally across the largest four poster bed, I read and wept at the sad parts, and did not care one whit what the rest of the clan was doing in the other rooms.
I've received many books. It's already happened this year. I got two blank books. Not a blessed word in them, but lines to write my own material. If that strikes you with eagerness too, you're a writer at heart as well.
The first blank book I ever got I reserve for unique and pretty names, and meanings of names that I may need one day in a novel.
The second one, with a pretty hardcover, is where I put notes on dreams of businesses I'll set up one day. If too much time passes before the opportunities present, I might forget some of the wonderful features I once dreamed for them. But I'll be ready!
Another one, with a slightly different cover design, is where I note spiritual highlights
While I'm pondering what shall go into the brand new ones. I want to ask you a hard question. Have you ever read books in your imagination that haven't been written yet?
It is so much fun sometimes I wonder if it isn't a sinful pleasure. Never have I heard of anyone else who does this, so I'm a bit secretive about it. I'm not even sure I could teach others to do it if coaxed.
There are huge advantages to in-the-head books though.
1/ No cost,
2/ They come in vivid living colour with audio and motion turned up exactly as I like it.
3/ I can stop and continue at will, even backup and re-write a scene to weave new key information.
Am I really the only one who gets such fine books for Christmas? I must make more time in my life to share mine. I really feel sorry for you if you don't get books for Christmas!
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Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada