Enjoy these four lines of wisdom written by San Diego’s own Dr. Seuss:
The more that you read,
The more that you know.
The more that you learn,
The more places you’ll go.
In other words, books prepare you for adventure without your making reservations or taking suitcases. Or as Emily Dickinson wrote, “How frugal is the chariot that bears a human soul.”
A week from today, 10 am-5 pm, the Union-Tribune will launch our city’s third annual Festival of Books. The celebration will be at 2641 Truxton Road, Liberty Station, in Point Loma. Along with a galaxy of local authors, I’ll be signing my books in Author Alley. I’d love to meet you there.
The Festival of Books connects San Diego area readers, booksellers, authors and businesses with their common love of the written word. For Festival details about authors, exhibitors, book stores, panels, children’s activities, music and food please take a tour of the special Festival section in tomorrow’s paper.
Last year’s Festival was a prodigious success. Almost 20,000 bibliophiles (book lovers) made a joyful noise unto the printed page at the most jubilant event in praise of books ever held here.
Books live. Books endure and prevail. Books are humanity in print. Books are the diary of the human race. By entering books, we become all that we have read.
I’m pleased to share an essay written by my faithful reader Lyn Lake, of Carlsbad, one woman’s tribute to the power and the glory of books:
I recently held a rendezvous with some old friends. It seemed possible that in the near future I might have to think of bidding some of them farewell. The relentless passage of time was obviously taking its toll, leaving many of them looking very old and tired and worn, and, in some cases, so frail, they would obviously need the gentlest care and handling in the future. Little wonder I thought, realizing the eldest among them were actually of my grandfather’s generation. Still others I had known since childhood. Acquaintances of such close connection and longevity, they were almost family.
Of course, the real crux of the matter was not simply the question of aging as much as the growing problem of accommodation. Over the course of time, many new friends had joined the ranks of the old, and it was likely more would come along in the future. How would I make room to keep all of them in my life?
I reflected upon what each one had shared with me. Fascinating and intriguing tales, interesting thoughts and ideas, many beliefs and experiences. I considered how much I had learned from them — lessons of love and life, knowledge of the history and geography of so many countries of our world, together with a peek at the wonders and mysteries of the universe.
Some of them, I remembered, had made me laugh; some had brought me to tears. Others had shared stories of overcoming personal tragedy, giving me hope and an avenue to conquer my times of despair and sadness. All of them, even those whose opinions I had sometimes disagreed with, had never failed to provide me with companionship and often a welcome shelter from loneliness. It was impossible to imagine what my life would have been like without these clever, imaginative, brilliant people.
And so, if there had to be a parting of the ways; who would go and who would stay? There was no doubt in my mind that at some future date I would have the urge to sit down and visit with many of them again, to reflect on their wisdom and insight, or just simply enjoy being entertained. I faced an impossible dilemma. My husband asked, “So, did you come to any decision?”
“No.” I replied, “I truly don’t want to give up any of them.”
“Well,” he said, “why don’t we try to find room for another bookcase, and then you won’t have to.”
***
On Sunday, August 25, starting at 4 pm, I’ll be on stage in a concert performed by the San Diego Street Choir for benefit of our homeless citizens. The venue will be the First Presbyterian Church of San Diego, 320 Date Street. For information, please call 858 729 5511. Admission is free, and worth every penny.