At Botetourt County Libraries, we believe that books can change lives. That’s not a pie-in-the-sky statement; we know it’s true, because we’ve lived it.
If you’ve been following Botetourt County Libraries on social media, then you know that we (library staff) have been sharing books we’re grateful for – books that have had a positive influence on our lives in special ways.
For some people, books represent a gateway to understanding the world better. Audrey (Eagle Rock Library) chose Barbara Kingsolver’s Animal, Vegetable, Miracle for its insights into the struggles of our agricultural system. Sandi (Buchanan Library) explored the real-life experiences of a dysfunctional family in Jeannette Walls’ The Glass Castle, a tale of survival blended with humor. I (Julie) enjoyed Steven Pinker’s The Better Angels of Our Nature: How Violence Has Declined because of its refreshingly optimistic view of our progress and future as a human civilization.
For others, fiction opened up a new world of imagination. Rhonda (Fincastle Library) chose Morgan Llywelyn’s The Lion of Ireland for introducing her to a journey of loving King Arthur, knights, magic, fantasy and history, as well as the undisputed fantasy master, J.R.R. Tolkien. In a similar vein, Donna (Eagle Rock Library) saved money for what seemed like forever for her first box set of C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia, the series that made her fall in love with fairy tales and reading.
Some books are just as endearing to adults as kids, with a lasting value long past childhood. Cari (Fincastle Library) still enjoys Chris Colfer’s The Land of Stories as an adult, and Heather (Buchanan Library) has worn out multiple copies of Eastman’s Go Dog Go! in her family. Angela (Blue Ridge Library) remembers the comfort that Just Me and My Mom by Mercer Mayer gave her as a child, featuring characters that grew up in a single-parent home like her.
Some people are spurred to action by what they read. Jaime (Eagle Rock Library) shared this story on the library’s social media: “Even though my mom and dad read to me every night and I have nothing but fond memories of reading, I struggled to read and wasn’t really into it when I was young. Then in fourth grade, my mom bought me the first four books of The Babysitter’s Club series, and everything changed. She gave it to me at breakfast, and I ended up bringing the first one to school. That day during our reading time, I broke the book out and I was hooked. I devoured that series for the next few years. My life changed from then on. I started babysitting, running camps for kids in my neighborhood and ended up becoming an afterschool nanny on a permanent basis for two kids during high school. Those books inspired me and gave me the confidence I needed as a preteen.”
Which books have had a positive influence on your life? We’d love to hear your story!
Julie Phillips
Botetourt County Libraries
