Lonely Books

Do you have some lonely books at home? They may be sitting on your shelf or on the edge of your night table. They're the ones we get from a bookstore, yard sale, or Friends of the Library book sale out of town. We buy them to read later, but the problem is that we don't.

There's always that shiny new book that we just have to read from the library. And because that book has a 2-week checkout limit, we give that book our total attention until we're done reading it. Meanwhile, our books at home are lonely. They continue to wait patiently for us, hoping that one day we'll give them the same love and attention as the new library book.

I really don't mean to make my books at home lonely. I just take for granted that they're always there for me. Since they're mine, there's no time limit to how long I can keep them, unlike library books. For a while, then, my books sit on my shelves. And sit. And sit...

It's time for things to change. Our books should not go forgotten and unloved. We need to remember why we brought them home and spend quality time with them. Recently, I have made an effort to read some of the books that sat on my shelves for years. I'm here to tell you that the books are nonjudgmental and forgiving. Be sure to show your books some love today.

Wishing you and your books happy times together from the perch.

Cool Reads for Hot Days

"All I Want for Christmas" is not a song normally associated with summer. Nevertheless, it was playing in the Hallmark store I visited a few days ago. I'm familiar with the concept of Christmas in July, but it still felt strange to be listening to Mariah Carey belting out that holiday tune in the middle of an exceptionally hot summer.

Then it occurred to me--why not read books set in snowy places to cool ourselves down a bit? Think cool to feel cool. For starters, here are some books to transport us (mentally) to colder climates:

• The Children's Blizzard (Melanie Benjamin)  Addresses the January 1888 blizzard moving fast through the Dakotas just as most children are leaving school for the day.
• Into the Wild (Jon Krakauer)  A college graduate makes his way across the U.S. to live off the land in Alaska with dire consequences.
• The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (Stieg Larsson)  This thriller set in chilly Sweden involves a journalist hired to investigate the 40-year old disappearance of a young woman from a wealthy family.
• The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (C.S. Lewis)  During World War II, a girl in England walks through a wardrobe and into the land of Narnia, where it's always winter due to the evil White Witch.
• The Revenant (Michael Punke)  Based on the true story of Hugh Glass, who seeks revenge on the men who abandon him after he's attacked by a bear on the unchartered American frontier in 1823.
• Ethan Frome (Edith Wharton)  In snowy New England, a man in a dead marriage falls for his wife's young cousin who is visiting.

Needless to say, these titles are just a small sample of the numerous offerings that exist. What are some books you've enjoyed that are set in colder or snowy locations? Share with us!

Wishing you cool reads from the perch.