Third Shelf From the Right, Second Row

Not to be confused with the directions to Neverland

I long ago despaired of ever having enough bookcases to carry the load of what some might call an - em - obsession. I have a kind of system to the madness that is my bookshelves. Each shelf is two rows deep, sometimes three if the shelf holds up and doesn’t sag. Every once in a while I take a book from the first row and I see a book title peeking out right behind it. Suddenly it feels like Christmas morning! “Oh, wow! There you are!” exclaim my lips. Then I pull out the first row and there they all are, the others, just patiently waiting. The Second Row Books. Hidden sometimes for months. It’s been longer sometimes. The excitement engendered is palpable.

It happened just this morning. Books that writing friends have asked me to read, books I have been gifted, books I found at book fairs and Monastery gift shops. Some evoked shock and surprise: Monsignor Knox! What? He is always a front row sort of fellow on my bookshelves so that was like my birthday and Christmas rolled into one. An old library book about all the holy women in St. Francis’s life! A photographic journey through France with Paul and Julia Child! A Celtic Saints book I have owned for decades and never read. INCONCEIVABLE!

There was John Ruskin waiting patiently to tell me his whole life’s story. And a book about the history of famous products and inventions put out by National Geographic. I LOVE books like that. There is a little booklet magazine filled with the thoughts of mothers all over the place. And a book on favorite saints. There is a thin volume with a praying monk on the front that made me sigh audibly. The thoughts of William of St. Thierry are right there behind its cover! It’s treasure dug up, unearthed, gloried in. From the third shelf on the right second row! I always do a little happy dance when I have a day like this. Pulling out one book that acts like a secret latch opening upon the jewels behind.

Here they are in no particular order. I know you want to see them. Because I strongly suspect you ALL are two row shelvers - maybe even in the exclusive club known as three row shelvers. Happy Friday.

Go dig out a bookcase! Oh the places you will go!

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