Fun Book Facts

True Confession: I love books. I love the sight of them lined up on shelves, waiting to be chosen in a library or bookstore. I love the scent of old paper and ink in used bookshops. Visiting the Hay-on-Wye book festival in the UK is on my list of Things I WILL do.

I have far too many books (is there such a thing, really?) on my TBR pile(s)—there is a dedicated shelf by my desk for those awaiting reviews, and then there are other piles of ones I’ve chosen to read, waiting for me here and there in other rooms, and let’s not forget those on my iPad’s Kindle for when I travel.

It’s a sickness, one I freely admit to having, and one I hope to never recover from, one I’m quite certain is shared by many others, not necessarily writers, but readers who have the same ‘affliction.’ Of course it’s my firm belief that a writer MUST be a reader, something I would drill into my writing students all the time. We learn what is good writing and bad by reading. We learn why classics endure and what makes a great story. But for those who read for the sheer joy of being transported to another place or time, or to meet great characters, I am with you all the way.

My husband was very tolerant of the piles of books everywhere. He would tell people, “She used to love buying books and shoes. Now it’s just books.” It’s said people who read books are less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease, so that is my new excuse for buying books. Along with watching Jeopardy!, it’s for my brain health.

So when I came across these interesting tidbits about books, I thought I’d share them with you. Some won’t surprise you; others may. Enjoy them and have fun finding great books to read.

—Harvard University Library contains four books bound in human skin. Really. I have no idea where they are kept but I’m not racing to see them.

—Over 20,000 books have been written about chess. I had no idea it was that popular!

—Les Miserables by Victor Hugo contains a sentence with 823 words. It’s been quite a while since I read that wonderful book, but I just might have to flick around in it and see if I can find it.

—Virginia Woolf is said to have written all of her books while standing! She may have had back pain, or else was an innovator of not sitting too much.

—The most stolen book is the Bible. Kind of ironic. I’m trying to think of what would prompt someone to steal a Bible.

—Iceland tops the world in per capita book reading. The Icelandic tradition of Jolabokaflad, which translates to “the Christmas book flood,” is one I can embrace, where books are given and received on Christmas Eve. Imagine an entire family enjoying a cup of warm mulled wine while they dig into their new books. Heavenly.

—And finally: If all the books in the New York Public Library were lined up, they would stretch EIGHT MILES. Now that’s some TBR list!

MIss Demeanors

Author

Marni Graff is the award-winning author of The Nora Tierney English Mysteries and The Trudy Genova Manhattan Mysteries. Her story “Quiche Alain” appears in the Anthony-winning Malice Domestic Anthology, Murder Most Edible.  Managing Editor of Bridle Path Press, she’s a member of Sisters in Crime, Triangle SinC, Mavens of Mayhem SinC, the NC Writers Network, and the International Crime Writers Association.