My eclectic choice of reading material

BrendaBy Brenda Cannon Henley
Those who know me well or have followed my writing for a while know that books and I have had an ongoing love affair for most of my life. Prior to Hurricane Ike ravaging the Bolivar Peninsula and destroying my beach home, I had a wonderful collection of books, many of them old, and all of them dear to my heart. I had been given books as gifts from family and friends for years and years and was very proud of what I had accumulated from a collection of valuable editions, to fun books with a one-time read, several that could not be purchased again, and most with a good story behind my having them in my library.

My Uncle Donald Baughcum, of Atlanta, GA., and now in heaven helped me begin my library and my love of reading when I was very young. He loved books and was very educated for our tiny community of good people. He paid me a small amount for every book I read and on which I could give a brief report to him concerning the characters, the story line, the plot, and what I found interesting. I so looked forward to his visits, our deep discussions about books we had each read, and what we had set our sights on next.

My Uncle Donald Baughcum helped me begin my library and my love of reading when I was very young.

My Uncle Donald Baughcum helped me begin my library and my love of reading when I was very young.

As I grew and began working, I collected and bought books on my own. I have a Kindle Fire and an iPad, but I still prefer to pick up a volume and open the pages and get lost in the words. My late husband added to my library and saw over the years that I had a complete collection of Hemingway books, many first editions and signed by the author. He also found books detailing the unusual writer’s life and took me to places where some of my favorite writers lived. What fun we had.

A lady visited my home not too long ago and she looked at the many loaded book shelves Ted built for me and said, “My, my, you seem to have quite an eclectic collection of books.” I though about her choice of words and wondered exactly what she meant. To me, “eclectic” means “varied,” or “different.” I rather thought that all libraries would be somewhat different according to the person buying and reading the volumes. I smiled and said, “Yes, I suppose I do have an eclectic collection, but each means something to me and I would like to think I am inclusive and interesting even in my reading.”

Family and friends share books with as I do with them. It is not unusual for me to travel to Georgia and come back with two or three large bags or boxes of books from my sister in law, Teresa, or good friend, Pam. I also am armed with tips on which to read first and why.

The last trip home equipped me with everything Rick Bragg, a very southern Alabama writer, has penned. He is very good and specializes in deep-south community, family, and cotton mill writing. Loved every one of them. Waiting now on The Killer, a book he has written on Jerry Lee Lewis. I have read everything Eugenia Price has ever written and toured many of the places she put on paper in Savannah, the Golden Isles of Georgia, and the coastal areas of Georgia and North and South Carolina. I read an entire series of books about the old Underground Railroad leaving the south and arriving in Michigan. Later, Ted and I found the small town and visited the very home that served as one of the largest half way or safe houses for the passengers. We did the same thing with Charles and Mary Ann Goodnight, who founded Goodnight, Texas, and built the first cattle ranch in the famed Palo Duro Canyon near Amarillo. What rich history and what valuable insights I gained.

One of the funniest books I read this summer is Listen to the Squawking Chicken by Elaine Lui. I don’t want to spoil the content for any future reader, but the book is about Elaine’s mom, whose loud voice is described as being akin to a barnyard squawking chicken in its prime. Elaine asks and answers, “When Mother knows best, what’s a daughter to do?” and explores the Chinese culture of mother/daughter and family relationships. After completing the novel in two sittings, I rearranged my living room furniture to invite good Feng Shui into my home.

I was turned on and hooked up with author Susan Gabriel recently and have five of her books on my desk as I type. I have read two and have three to go and love her writing style, the content, and the new things I am learning.

If you have read an interesting book lately, and you’d like to share, simply send a quick email to me at [email protected]. Don’t spoil the story line, but do tell us what you liked, did not like, and a bit about the author. I will print those I can fit into the column and perhaps together we can challenge young folks and older ones alike to read more. I cannot imagine life without books.
[9-5-2016]

Brenda Cannon Henley can be reached at (409) 781-8788, or
[email protected].

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