Friday, March 18, 2016

Old Books Tell More than a Story

What is it about old books?
It's that intangible quality that speaks of character and history and people from another time.
Old books add instant charm and warmth to a room no matter what style it is.


People laugh when I tell them I love the way old books smell. 
Musty. Moldy. Glue and ink and old paper. A hint of vanilla or coffee, perhaps.

Water-stained pages with crumbly edges. Upright or reclining on their sides.



I love those old books with tattered cloth covers or worn leather bindings.


And especially those books with etched or unusual covers. 
Some are classic, others a bit risque for the times.


Those with intricate leather covers and gilt-edged pages are my favorites.


Old books are perfect for elevating a display


or complementing a silver piece on a mantle or in a bookcase.


Many old books have lovely writing inside their covers. 


I have my mother's old school dictionary filled with scribbles and hearts. 
I cherish this one.


You never know what you might find in an old tome you buy for a dollar at an estate sale.
I recently bought a book that was stuffed with 1950s Betsy McCall cutouts, 
complete with outfits for every occasion.




Sometimes you might discover a pressed flower or leaf and wonder why it was special.


I love to group vintage books with similar covers for an "old library" look. 


And the ads on the back page are a peek into an age long gone.
It's that timeworn quality that gives books a rich feeling of our past.


Old books belong to another time but they've definitely found a home today . . . with me.


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45 comments:

  1. JoanMarch 19, 2016 at 12:26 PM

    I love old books as well! Especially for all the reasons you mention. I have been collecting them since I was 12 and that's over 50 years ago. But there is nothing like a book to hold in your hand and wonder who else read it and what their life was like.

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    1. Pat @ bringingfrenchcountryhomeMarch 27, 2016 at 10:12 AM

      Thanks Jann. Love your comment about holding a book in your hands. Probably why I don't have a Kindle.

      Delete
  2. MeghanMarch 20, 2016 at 6:45 AM

    I have an affinity for old books as well. They make my heart sing.

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  3. PondsideMarch 20, 2016 at 7:30 AM

    Over the years I've brought many old books home from auctions and estate sales. Like you, I find something irresistible in them.

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  4. mjmaterazoMarch 20, 2016 at 1:33 PM

    i love old books too. lovely post & pictures. thanks for sharing. xo- maryjo
    https://masterpiecesofmylife.com

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  5. Donna WilkesMarch 20, 2016 at 3:27 PM

    I cannot resist an old book with torn and tattered covers and pages. I like to find ones with Christmas inscriptions or notes. I used to keep my Betsy McCall paper dolls in my books to keep her flat.

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  6. MarigeneMarch 20, 2016 at 4:01 PM

    I, too, love old books, there is just something about the old leather and graphics that speak to me.
    Have a great week.

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  7. Gina @ VictorianWannaBeMarch 20, 2016 at 8:21 PM

    I share that same love of old books as you do. You're right, there is just something about them.
    Happy Spring and have a blessed Easter week!

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  8. ~Lavender Dreamer~March 21, 2016 at 6:51 AM

    Oh how I love old books and how fun to find something special inside. I use them in all my decor and treasure every one. You have some lovely old books. (I did a post on a few of mine today too) Hugs, Diane

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  9. UnknownMarch 21, 2016 at 2:04 PM

    I love old books too. You have some beauties, I see! Thank you for sharing.

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  10. JESMarch 22, 2016 at 4:22 AM

    I also love old books! Especially reading them! :)

    Thank you for sharing. I found you via THE SCOOP!

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    1. Pat @ bringingfrenchcountryhomeMarch 27, 2016 at 10:18 AM

      Thanks JES. I still have to read my old books. The language is so different from modern books.

      Delete
  11. CynthiaMarch 22, 2016 at 11:30 AM

    You speak to my heart with this post. Thank you so much for sharing your books!

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  12. JanMarch 22, 2016 at 1:13 PM

    I love old books that have really old copyright dates and ancient inscriptions. I even have an oldie that was hand bound.

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  13. Christine @ Rustic-RefinedMarch 22, 2016 at 2:23 PM

    Love how you styled the books. I am always on the hunt for some myself. They tell such a beautiful story even before you open them!

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  14. sarahMarch 23, 2016 at 5:12 PM

    I so agree with you about old books. Infact, all my friends feel the same way. Its strange how publishers haven't clicked to how much people love the old book styles.

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    1. Pat @ bringingfrenchcountryhomeMarch 27, 2016 at 10:20 AM

      Thanks for stopping by Sarah. Maybe publishers will figure it out someday.

      Delete
  15. Art and SandMarch 23, 2016 at 10:39 PM

    Thanks for sharing this sweet post with SYC. It brought back sweet memories for me because I stored my Betsy McCall dolls between the pages of magazines.

    I have a copy of A Child' Garden of Verses that was a baby gift to me 67 years ago and my 91 year old aunt's 1927 edition of A Christmas Carol.

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    1. Pat @ bringingfrenchcountryhomeMarch 27, 2016 at 10:20 AM

      Thanks so much for visiting. Wish I could see your book collection. Sounds wonderful.

      Delete
  16. Jemma@athomewithjemmaMarch 24, 2016 at 9:46 AM

    I too am a collector of books and have saved many from my grandparents as well. Such a sweet and tender post and I enjoyed how you shared displaying them around your home.
    Thank you so much for this most precious inspiration and for sharing it with us on Thoughts Of Home On Thursday.
    Hope to see you next week too.
    Happy Easter~
    Jemma

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    1. Pat @ bringingfrenchcountryhomeMarch 27, 2016 at 10:21 AM

      Dear Jemma, what a sweet comment. Thanks so much. Happy Easter to you.

      Delete
  17. StaceyMarch 24, 2016 at 2:57 PM

    Love this post because I love books too! I once said on a teaching interview that I loved the smell of books ... that might have cinched the job. :)

    So glad you joined Thoughts of HOme on Thursday.

    Happy Easter!

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  18. Tammy Patina and PaintMarch 24, 2016 at 7:51 PM

    As a former librarian I love old books. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Pat @ bringingfrenchcountryhomeMarch 27, 2016 at 10:22 AM

      Thanks Tammy. I've always secretly wanted to be a librarian but I'd never get any work done.

      Delete
  19. SylviaMarch 24, 2016 at 11:02 PM

    Pat, Books are so nice, old ones are more special. Thanks for creating such nice presentations. Sylvia D.

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  20. Rita C at PanoplyMarch 25, 2016 at 6:28 AM

    Hi Pat, I love old books for all the reasons you've noted. One of my Panoply sisters is always finding great, old books with beautiful titles (and sometimes risque, like you said) and photos on the covers. I collect miniature books and previously did a post on that collection. Am hoping you are not in the throes of this most recent snowstorm, but if you are, hope you do a post to let us know you're dug out. Happy Easter.
    Rita C at Panoply

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    1. Pat @ bringingfrenchcountryhomeMarch 27, 2016 at 10:23 AM

      Hi Rita, thanks for checking in on me. We were in the middle of the blizzard, got 16 inches. Still digging out. Glad you appreciated the book post. Happy Easter to you.

      Delete
  21. MollyMarch 25, 2016 at 11:19 AM

    I am totally with you, I love old books too

    Mollyxxx

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  22. Decor To AdoreMarch 25, 2016 at 6:16 PM

    I too love the scent of old books and the way they feel in my hand.
    Thank you for linking up this wonderful post on Thoughts of Home on Thursday. May you have a glorious Easter!

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    1. Pat @ bringingfrenchcountryhomeMarch 27, 2016 at 10:24 AM

      Hi Laura, thanks so much for your thoughtful comment. Happy Easter to you.

      Delete
  23. DianaMarch 30, 2016 at 3:40 PM

    I share your love for old books, Pat :) Posted on Facebook and pinned. Thanks for linking up with Vintage Charm!

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