Surrounded by the Treasure of Pages and Pages of Inspiration

Oh the memories that are made by the books that we read

“To build up a library is to create a life. It’s never just a random collection of books.” ― Carlos María Domínguez, The House of Paper

My bookshelves may look like a mess, but to me they are life. They are someone’s creativity and passion, which in turn inspire me and my children. And created memories I will never forget.

As a child, my small home was filled with books, strewn throughout each room, including a small stack in the bathroom. My mother was an avid reader, reading many books at the same time. Nonfiction. Fiction. Poetry. Mysteries. Popular fiction. Biographies. Everything. That was her comfort. And became my comfort.

A home is not complete without stories to be read after school or at bedtime. When I found out I was pregnant with my first child, I went to the bookstore to find the stories I would tell my child.

My favorite, Where the Wild Things Are to the classics of Dr. Seuss. Goodnight Moon was the first I read every night to my firstborn after bath time. The words not only brought him comfort but also for me, as a new mother, questioning, “Am I doing this mothering thing right?

We moved to our “forever home” four years ago. One of the reasons why I wanted this home was the family room, filled with built-in bookshelves. My dream come true, now I would have space devoted to our treasures. Our books.

Right away, my oldest son started organizing the left side for all their books, from their first board books to the books they read in elementary and middle school. I have kept them in the hope they will one day be given to their children.

This room has become my writing space and sanctuary. With the bookshelves nearly full, I have created new spaces for my new treasures. Writing books. Poetry. Biographies. The stories and advice from creatives, inspiring me as I write my first book.

If I’m lucky enough to have a book published one day, I will add it to my bookshelf.

That book will be dedicated to the writers of the books I have read and surround me as I write, thanking them for their stories and a glimpse inside their imagination, because it gave me a chance to imagine a dream come true.

Inspiration

As always, thank you Trista Signe Ainsworth for your inspiration. This article was written in response to “Your Precious Treasures.”

✍ Written by Ellie Jacobson, @2022 all rights reserved.

✨ I’m a freelance writer and editor from Minnesota, writing my first novel, a psychological suspense novel. Are you a writer? Check out Sparks, my newsletter filled with writing prompts to spark your creativity.

🍮 Support me with a cup of coffee. I thank you.

📣 Join Medium and have unlimited access to my writing and thousands of other writers on Medium.