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What, if any, memorable or special book have you ever gotten as a present? Birthday or otherwise. What made it so notable? The person who gave it? The book itself? The “gift aura?”My Response:
No one special gift book stands out, but I can remember getting books for my birthday, Mother's Day, and Christmas on several occasions. I love books, and it's an obvious gift choice for me. They have all been novels, except for one time in my life. That was my college graduation at age forty-nine.
I'm a late bloomer. When I graduated from college, my daughter and son-in-law threw me a surprise graduation party. I received several reference books as gifts: Webster's New Universal Unabridged Dictionary--an almost five-inch thick volume, One Hundred Great Operas and Their Stories, and The Complete Poems of of Keats & Shelley. Those titles were selected as symbols of pride at what an old lady could accomplish. Over the years, the dictionary has been frequently used. The opera book was given to me by a couple who, along with my husband and me, were season ticket holders for that one year. I opened it a few times. The poetry book has been the most neglected. It was a gift from my son and his wife, who were impressed with my GPA and envisioned me curling up and reading it night after night. These presents are special because when I look at them, I remember the time of celebration, the wonderful surprise party, and the love of family and close friends.
Have you ever received a special book for a gift?
19 comments:
Very nice story :) Thanks for visiting my blog :)
They all sounds like great presents! There's just something about massive dictionaries... =)
I really like your story.
Nice gifts! I never received a book gift, but I did get gift cards :)
Wonderful story. You're never too old to learn!
Wow, thats really something. I know what a great achievement it is because my mom wanted to do her post grad after so many years, but she left midway as she found it really difficult.
It is never too late to learn! That is awesome that you went back to college in your 40's. I enjoyed reading your story. I found in writing mine the realization that many special memories are tied to gifts of books.
It is never too late to learn! That is awesome that you went back to college in your 40's. I enjoyed reading your story. I found in writing mine the realization that many special memories are tied to gifts of books.
Oh, that reminds me of a dictionary my parents got me for my high-school graduation. And yes, I did ask for it. And yes, my dad thought $80 for a dictionary was insane.
Now that reminds me I have never bought a dictionary. I was given a few dictionaries over the years, in growing sizes and weight!
I have 2...
In high school, I was on the debate team and was totally into it...loved it! For Christmas, my parents gave me a briefcase with a dictionary inside. I loved it!
This summer, I was on vacation when Breaking Dawn was released. Not a big deal. I was busy anyway and wasn't going to have time to read it.
Saturday morning, my mom gave me the book as a late b-day gift. Unfortunately for vacation time, I got sick for 2 days...fortunately I had the book to read!
Those were some great graduation gifts you got! I used to have a huge Websters Dictionary that had its own pedestal, but it is long gone now and I would love to have another! I would use it daily!
I always loved receiving reference books growing up. :)
That's a wonderful story, Sally! :)
No one ever gives me reference books :(
I'd love to read something like "One Hundred Great Operas and Their Stories"! My mom had a similar one, for ballets, and I loved reading it as a kid.
I like to think that I'm a late bloomer, too. That way, maybe there's still hope. Maybe I'm not really just turning into a ditsy old broad!
Love your post. Your graduation sounded so special, sure you will cherish the books and memories always.
Books - the gift that keeps on giving. We use my husband's dictionary (a high school graduation gift from many years ago). The kids pull it off the shelf to refer to on a regular basis.
I know what you mean!
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