The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who can't read them. - Mark Twain

I love books. If I was wealthy (monetarily speaking) I would have my own private library. I am capable of losing all track of time and spending hours on end in a book store. I remember as a kid that my dad would take me to a wonderful bookstore near his home and tell me that I could pick out a book. Then we would part ways. I would go to the section of the store that had books at my reading level, and take great care to make the decision of which book would be coming home with me. Generally I was incapable of narrowing down my options to just one, (there were hundreds to choose from!) so my father would give in and allow me 2 or 3. The poor guy, how do you say no to a kid that is begging for books? He didn't stand a chance. I read them all voracioulsy. To this day I love the feeling of getting lost in a book. I love all of the potential that a trip to the book store holds. I love the sensation of so many options and so little time. I love that I can connect with people through books. Secretly, I'm always a little disappointed when I complete a book because the story is then over.

This year I had no idea what to get my mother for Mother's Day, so I did what I always do when I'm at a loss for gift giving ideas; I went to the book store. I spent at least an hour pawing through the merchandise, reading jacket covers and trying to use self restraint when making selections. Several times I asked for help at the sales counter when I recalled a portion of a title that had been recommended to me, but came up short when trying to recall the author's name, or the entire book title. I bet they love that!

While I was there a bus load of teenagers came in. I overheard various discussions (because, quite frankly, these kids were EVERYWHERE), and I gathered that these kids were from somewhere in NYC. There were cell phones going off left and right, MP3 players blaring in various ears, and groups of kids taking up entire ailes so that I had to walk around them to get to where I needed to go. I couldn't stop smiling. These kids were shopping for BOOKS! Not all of them where thrilled with the idea, but many of them were very serious about making their selections. They were in the store for almost as long as I was, and when they were ready to leave, the check out line was a mile long. I'm not a teacher. I couldn't be, my patience level is nowhere near the required level. Still, expanding minds excite me! The concept of adolescents choosing to read makes me giddy. I truly believe the potential in all of us is enhanced by expanding our minds. I also believe that books are one of the main resources we have for mind expansion. I was beaming!

I did (of course) find a gift for my mom. I also found one for my grandmother, one for someone I can't name because he/she reads my blog and (of course) one for myself.

Incase anyone is interested, the following were my selections:

For Grandma: A cookbook titled, "Splenda". She's daibetic. I thought it would be helpful. Besides, she's lived through enough Mother's Days and birthdays that she has a home full of trinkets and everything she wants or needs. She's a very practical, wonderful woman.

For Mom: "Falling Through the Earth, a memoir" by Danielle Trussoni. My mother's husband has severe PTSD resulting from the Vietnam War. Living with and loving him is no easy feat, but she remains loyal to him and continues to be devoted him. This book is a memoir of a woman whose father never really stopped fighting the battle he was immersed in while in Vietnam, and her choice to stand by him when everyone else gave up on him. I thought it appropriate.

For me: "The Wisdom of a Stary Night, Using the Power of Great Art for Self-Awareness" by Sharon Marson. This book was inexpensive and I had to have it. The book is a compilation of various pieces of art accompanied by introspective questions such as, "Who is in your inner circle?", and "What runs through your veins?" Art and personal growth are at the forefront of my life right now. I am one semester away from getting my degree in Creative Arts in Therapy, and this book resonated with me. For seven dollars, how could I pass it up?

For the person who will remain nameless: I can't say of course!