Journal Prompt #7

What’s on your bookshelf and why is it there?
First let me begin by stating that in my home, there are many bookshelves. If I had a library room I would be extremely happy. (Flashback: I did once rent a house that was owned by the Anglican Church and used to be the rectory. There was a room built into the closed in verandah that had been turned into an office/study that had one whole wall of bookcases. I loved that room! Even now when I think of it, it brings a smile to my face and memories of warm, sunny days with a cool breeze blowing through whilst I studied at my desk in the room. *sigh*).
Okay, where was I?
That’s right – bookshelves and books!
I have many book shelves in my home. Most are in my computer/craft room with others in the back room. I confess that I have two cupboards filled with books. Here are just a couple of photos to show you what I mean.

As you can see, I have an eclectic taste in reading material with many craft books interspersed with those on Australian history, gardening, management and people skills and personal development.
And then there is my fiction cupboard.
This cupboard holds books that are both fiction, biographical and autobiographical.
It is filled with my favourite authors including Kathy Reichs, Isobelle Carmody, Stephen Donaldson, Dan Brown, Fiona McIntosh, Jean M. Auel, Tolkein and C.S. Lewis.
They sit alongside books about celebrities, self-help and personal development books and more books about Australian history.
But here are the books that come with me wherever I move to and ones that are never loaned or given away. Each of these books has touched me in some way.

Okay, the aromatherapy and the one on hugs sneaked into the photo 😉
The top photo is of the Bible that I earned for learning scripture verses in Sunday School and was presented to me in 1976. I have other Bibles but this one will never be replaced.
Now let’s look at my others:
Room 105: this book (signed by the author) is a true story of a man’s journey in understanding why God took his wife and son from him
He Who Wept: a fictionalised account of Jeremiah a.k.a. The Weeping Prophet
Immanuel – Reflections on the life of Christ: filled with the lyrics of Michael Card’s music. This book (and his CDs) played an important role at a time in my life when I felt that faith was all that I had to cling to.
The Vinegar Boy: a fictionalised account of a young boy who was there at the crucifixion of Christ and offered him vinegar water to sip as he died
Watership Down: Yes, it is a book about rabbits however it contains so much more within it.
Toad of Toad Hall & Wind in the Willows: ‘Toad’ is the script for the production we did in primary school with Mr Noonan. I was 12 years old and I played ‘Mole’. Lots of fun memories there. And Wind in the Willows because that is where ‘Toad’ was taken from.
The Jungle Book: because Rudyard Kipling is a master storyteller.
The Horse Whisperer: because it is not often that contemporary fiction can make me cry but this one did. I defy anyone to read this without picturing Robert Redford as the leading man.
Jonathon Livingston Seagull: I grew up in the 70’s. This was required coming of age reading.
A Town Like Alice: This book inspired a mini-series here in Australia. Alice Springs is a beautiful place and this story by Neville Shute is awesome.
Memoirs of a Geisha: It’s not often a book draws me in from the first pages. This one did.
The Kite Runner: Putting a human face on world affairs causes you to look at them in different ways.
Shark Down Under: Walking home from school each day I would call into a local bookshop and dream. I put this book on lay-by and paid each week with my pocket money. It was the very first book I ever bought for myself. It details the history of shark attacks in Australia (up to the 70’s) and is now falling apart.
Gone with the Wind: Told you I had it on my bookshelf.
Against the Wind: A fictionalised story (based on fact) of convicts in the early days of Australia. This copy of the book has Jon English on the cover as he played the lead in the television mini-series
Dead Man Running: This one sneaked into the photo but in case you’re interested, it’s about a former bikie club member who turned and shared information with the police. It is a story about police ineptitude and criminal activity. (Laurie, you might like this one as it’s set in our area).

So that’s my bookshelf.
Now share the name of your favourite book/s and why they are you faves.