A Memory of Place
In which I discuss some favorite reading spots and books I have loved.
Each week we explore the intersection of life and literature to answer the questions how do the books we read influence our lives and how do our life experiences influence the books we choose to read.
“In seed time learn, in harvest teach, in winter enjoy.” - William Blake
Tennessee has been home for three years. Each December has brought freezing temperatures, falling limbs, black ice, and frozen pipes causing significant damage. The holiday season should be joyful. Sitting in the attic, bundled in several layers, attempting to thaw frozen pipes with a blow dryer does not create the best memories. Keeping fingers crossed for milder weather this year.
Memory is fascinating. Millions of synapsis firing between neurons, retrieving images, sounds, and smells from the hippocampus. How accurate is the recollection? What specifically triggers the memory process?
Music transports my wife to a different place and time. She remembers every song from core moments of her life. Every emotion and relationship is connected in some way to music, which then strengthens the memory. No such connection with music exists for me and this ability of hers is amazing to me. I rarely remember song titles, artist names, or lyrics even when I enjoy and appreciate the music. Instead, my memories are connected to books and places.
Dad built a set of bunkbeds when we were young. Countless hours were spent lying there with book in hand. Later, in a room of my own, a small lamp casting shadows on the wall, books would take me on late night adventures to vast worlds beyond.
A soft cushion on the couch, a comfy chair, a quiet corner of the library - all of these were favored reading spots. Books were ever present in the car, waiting in line, a free moment here or there. In adulthood, cafes and bookstores became regular haunts.
These places hold special meaning and visiting them brings back cherished memories. These days, most reading is done at home, in a straight back chair, the comforting hum of family life in the background, and Lola sleeping at my feet. In this place the words seep into me, becoming resident in my thoughts and memory.
“Reading furnishes the mind only with materials of knowledge; it is thinking that makes what we read ours.” ― John Locke
Of all the books you read, which do you remember? Which evoke an emotional response? How do we determine which books are our favorites? Is it pure enjoyment? Is it the connection to specific events? Is it something we learned? Each resonates with distinct purpose. Some endure and withstand the test of time. A few of the most impactful works of fiction for me include:
East of Eden by John Steinbeck - An iconic piece of American Literature by a master of the craft. Steinbeck’s ability to formulate a story, connecting us to people and place is exquisite. I was mesmerized reading this last year for the first time and am excited to revisit it again this year for The Steinbeck Review.
Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card - My favorite sci-fi book. Originally written as a young adult novel, it has become an enduring masterpiece of the genre. During my teenage and early adult years science-fiction was a mainstay in my reading rotation. This book has appeared on numerous must read lists as it covers a wide-rang of thought provoking topics.
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien - Tolkien is the standard bearer of fantasy world-building. His works are must reads for serious students of English Literature. I discovered Middle-Earth at a Scholastic Book Fair in the sixth grade. The tale of Bilbo Baggins opened my mind in magical ways.
War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy - Don’t let its size intimidate you. Tolstoy’s magnum opus is imminently readable. Vast in its examination of the human condition, this masterpiece is an exploration of the ballroom and the battlefield. I will be rereading this next year, one chapter per day, in a slow-read with
and friends. You should join us.
Each story resonates within me - a brilliant memory of the first encounter with the unforgettable characters. I recall the emotions the words evoked and a desire to start again as soon as the story was finished. Every one of these books is similar in that they speak to something within me. I can see myself in the pages. I am transported to a different place and time which then becomes a part of my memory.
Grandma Juanita introduced me to Robert Frost’s work when I was in my early teens. I wasn’t sure if I really understood poetry at the time. But this well-known verse stuck with me. As winter is upon us here in the Northern Hemisphere I thought it appropriate to share from my memory.
Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost Whose woods these are I think I know. His house is in the village though; He will not see me stopping here To watch his woods fill up with snow. My little horse must think it queer To stop without a farmhouse near Between the woods and frozen lake The darkest evening of the year. He gives his harness bells a shake To ask if there is some mistake. The only other sound’s the sweep Of easy wind and downy flake. The woods are lovely, dark and deep, But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep.
I am interested to hear how memory plays a role in your life. What connects you to moments in your memory? Do you have a favorite reading spot? How about a favorite book? Share with us in the comments.
This past week I enjoyed reading:
- is a fantastic writer who has a series of articles discussing one girl’s journey during the Chinese famine. You can check the first in the series out here.
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Ah, I so enjoyed this. Memory triggers are fascinating. For me, smells and sounds (music, yes, but also something as simple as wind chimes), instantly transport me. And books! It's so true that we come to them at different points in our lives, and that will affect how we process the stories. I had to read Wuthering Heights as a teenager at a British boarding school. So many dark, rainy nights...it was never hard to imagine a ghosts at the window or crossing the blustery moors. And of course, star-crossed lovers! I recently read that we remember our teen years with more clarity than at other points in our lives, so it's no wonder this book stayed with me. Great post, Matthew. And stay warm!
I had a dog named Lola as well. I miss her