Those who know me know I love books. And there are few books better than a good astronomy book (maybe a Pendergast novel... maybe). I've been buying books since I first had money to buy them. I was reminded today by Louis Suarato about one of my oldest astronomy books, the National Audubon Society Field Guide to the Night Sky. I believe I bought it when I was twelve years old. I've used my copy a lot. It's been camping several times, and with it I identified my first night sky objects, Orion and the Pleiades. I also used it to help locate comets Hale-Bopp and Hyakatake back in the mid-90's.I decided to pull it out tonight, and whilst doing that I came across a few other books that were influential during my early years, specifically the Atlas of the Universe by Patrick Moore, The Grand Tour by Ron Miller and William K. Hartmann, and Hubble Vision by Carolyn Collins Petersen (aka The Spacewriter!) and John C. Brandt. I have fond memories of all of these books. Hubble Vision, for example was a Christmas present from my parents one year. The Grand Tour I bought with allowance money. I think the Atlas was a birthday gift. There was no happier kid than me with a new book. Actually, that's still true today :D. I am pleased to see my kids seem to like books as well, so I guess they inherited the bookworm gene, too (don't get me started on my dad's library!). I got a kick recently when purchasing a new bookshelf for my office... the picture on the box showed the entire bookshelf (a 6' model) occupied by only three books and numerous knick-knacks. Nothing against knick-knacks, but a bookshelf is best filled with books! But I digress. A favorite book brings back memories for me as much as a beloved photograph. Thanks for letting me reminisce.
(If I love these books so much, why are they in such great shape? That's because I take care of my books, another trait I try to instill in my kids...)
