A Family Legacy of Book Love

I have to laugh because when it  comes to books in my family, we’re like Thorin Oakenshield deep in the grips of his dragon sickness.

Remember that scene in The Hobbit where the new King Thorin, consumed by his obsession, declares, “I will not part with a single coin”?

Well, that’s exactly how it is for me with books: “I will not part with a single book!”

And I come by this obsession honestly.

I got my love of books and reading from all the women in my family. Ironically, the one trait I seem to share with my great-grandmother — whom I didn’t like and wasn’t close to — was reading. She would read ANYTHING. Didn’t matter what it was.

When she died, my grandma brought her things home, and I helped her go through them. There were SO MANY books! Boxes and boxes of nothing but BOOKS! (And man — were they heavy!)

I was a little kid back then and remember suggesting we toss or donate some of them. My mother quickly corrected me: “Oh no! We NEVER get rid of books!”

That lesson really stuck with me. During my recent move, I came across what amounted to a library’s worth of books, and I couldn’t part with a “single one.” (Thanks, Mom!)

National Read a Book Day, observed on September 6th, means everything to me because I grew up absolutely devouring books. I would carry one everywhere I went.

You know how usually a girl’s purse stays small until she’s older — like in her thirties, forties, or beyond? Well, I started carrying a bigger purse when I was still a teenager. Why? Because I had a trusty paperback tucked inside!

I was that girl who read during lunch break, between classes, and any spare moment I could find. Books were my constant companions, my escape routes to adventure, and my windows into different worlds.

There’s something magical about having a book with you at all times. Whether you’re waiting for an appointment, stuck in traffic (as a passenger!), or just need a mental break, a good book transforms any ordinary moment into an adventure.

Reading taught me empathy by letting me experience life through countless different perspectives. It expanded my vocabulary naturally and painlessly. Most importantly for my future career, it showed me how stories work — how to build tension, develop characters, and create satisfying endings.

Buy a Book Day on September 7th celebrates something that was practically a family pastime for my mom and me. We LOVED to shop for books together.

My mom especially loved to browse used bookstores, which I’ve mentioned in previous posts. There was something almost archaeological about digging through stacks of books, searching for hidden gems that previous owners had loved enough to purchase but were now ready to share with new readers.

Used bookstores have their own special magic. Each book carries a history — maybe someone read it on their honeymoon, or it helped a student through college, or it was a beloved bedtime story read to children who are now adults themselves.

When you buy a used book, you’re not just purchasing a story; you’re becoming the next chapter in that book’s journey. There’s something beautifully circular about that — books finding new homes, new readers, new opportunities to work their magic.

Of course, buying new books is equally important. When you purchase a new book, you’re directly supporting the author who poured their heart into creating that story.

You’re also supporting bookstores — those wonderful community spaces where book lovers gather and literary dreams take flight.

Whether you’re buying new or used, physical or digital, you’re participating in the beautiful ecosystem that keeps stories alive and accessible.

I love that these two observances fall on consecutive days because reading and book buying are such natural partners. You can’t truly appreciate Buy a Book Day without being a devoted participant in Read a Book Day, and vice versa.

Every avid reader knows the bittersweet moment when you finish a book you’ve absolutely loved. There’s that satisfied sigh, followed immediately by the question: “What am I going to read next?”

That’s where book buying comes in. Whether you’re browsing online, wandering through a bookstore, or digging through stacks at a used book sale, you’re on a treasure hunt for your next literary adventure.

There’s something deeply satisfying about building a personal library. Each book on your shelf represents a journey you’ve taken, a world you’ve explored, or knowledge you’ve gained.

Your book collection becomes a reflection of your interests, your growth, and your curiosity about the world.

Some people see books as clutter, but I see them as possibilities.

Every unread book on my shelf is a potential adventure waiting to happen. Every re-read favorite is a beloved friend I can visit whenever I need comfort or inspiration.

So how can you properly honor National Read a Book Day and Buy a Book Day?

Here are some ideas that would make my book-loving family proud:

For National Read a Book Day (September 6th):

For Buy a Book Day (September 7th):

Since these days fall on consecutive dates, why not make it a whole weekend celebration? Start by buying a new book on Friday (getting a head start on Buy a Book Day), then spend Saturday diving into your new purchase for Read a Book Day.

You could even make it a social event — organize a book shopping trip with friends followed by a reading party where everyone settles in with their new acquisitions.

When you participate in these observances, you’re doing more than just enjoying a personal pleasure. You’re contributing to a larger literary ecosystem that benefits everyone.

Reading keeps your mind sharp, expands your empathy, and connects you to the broader human experience.

Book buying supports authors, publishers, bookstores, and all the people who work to bring stories into the world.

Just as the women in my family passed their love of books down to me, every time you read or buy a book, you’re potentially inspiring someone else to do the same.

Maybe it’s a child who sees you reading and becomes curious about your book. Maybe it’s a friend who notices your latest purchase and asks for a recommendation.

Books have a way of multiplying their impact. One reader becomes two, two become four, and before you know it, you’ve helped create a community of book lovers.

Since we’re starting September with these two wonderful observances, I want to challenge you: Make this the month you rediscover your love of reading and book buying.

Set a goal to read one new book this month. Visit a bookstore — physical or online — and buy something that catches your eye. Try a genre you’ve never explored before. Ask a friend for a recommendation.

Most importantly, don’t let these be one-day celebrations. Let National Read a Book Day and Buy a Book Day be the beginning of renewed literary habits that carry you through the rest of the year.

Maybe you’ll start a tradition like my family had — regular bookstore browsing sessions that become cherished memories. Maybe you’ll begin carrying a book with you everywhere, just like I did with my oversized teenage purse.

Whatever reading and book buying traditions you create, you’ll be joining a long line of book lovers who understand that stories aren’t just entertainment — they’re essential food for the soul.