My Father's Bookshelf

A room without books is like a body without a soul.

~Cicero

Growing up there was always a bookshelf or stack of books in every single room in the house. While both my parents loved reading, it was Dad who was the real bookworm. All four of us kids inherited that same book hunger (well, my brother a little less so - he's more like mom and is constantly on the move) and are pretty voracious readers. We all have our own niche interests and Dad is no different; his books are generally non-fiction history, military, religious, Japan-themed or political... though occasionally he'll surprise you.

While back in New England staying in my childhood home last month I started browsing some of Dad's titles and would pick some random book to read while I ate my breakfast. One morning I pulled out this little surprise:

Longfellow's complete poems circa 1915.

Apparently belonged to my grandmother.

What a gem.