Image Courtesy of Jill Weatherholt
Books! We love all them, right? You probably wouldn’t be following this blog if you weren’t a self-proclaimed bookaholic. For as long as I can remember, losing myself in a book has always been my favorite way to spend snippets of free time.
As a child, the Little Golden Books were some of my favorites to read. Do you remember this one?
Image courtesy of Jill Weatherholt
I recall spending hours looking at the illustrations. Once I learned to read, I devoured it repeatedly.
Fast-forward several years and a vivid memory pops to mind. It was the first time I purchased a book using my allowance. I was eight-years-old and after having dinner out, my parents took me and my sister to the bookstore. The evening was cold and rainy, but I didn’t care. I had money burning a hole in my pocket and I planned to spend every penny on my favorite thing…books. Leaving the store, I had a little change in my pocket and Stuart Little in my shopping bag.
Image Courtesy of Jill Weatherholt
When I was old enough to obtain a library card, I believed life could never get any better, but then it did. One humid summer day, as my friends and I sweltered in the heat, playing kick ball on the steamy asphalt, we heard the rumblings of an engine. Bookmobile? What in the world was that? Once parked in the cul-de-sac, we climbed abroad the massive blue and white vehicle and I was among friends. Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, they’d all hitched a ride.
Now in my fifties, I struggle to find quiet reading time. The day job, family responsibilities, the current WIP, writing blog posts, all try to rob me of my guilty pleasure…curling up with a great book. Thankfully, no matter how busy, I jump on my elliptical with my Kindle and escape reality, while improving my health. It’s a win-win.
So tell me, do you have a favorite spot to read or a special reading ritual? Comment below before 3:00 p.m. EST tomorrow for your chance to win an autographed copy of Second Chance Romance, releasing on February 21st. The winner (US ONLY) will be announced Sunday, February 19th in the IR Sunday Edition.
Small-Town Daddy
Jackson Daughtry’s jobs as a paramedic and part-owner of a local café keep him busy—but the single dad’s number one priority is raising his little girl with love and small-town values. And when his business partner’s hotshot lawyer niece comes to town planning to disrupt their lives by moving her aunt away, Jackson has to set Melanie Harper straight. When circumstances force them to work side by side in the coffee shop, Jackson slowly discovers what put the sadness in Melanie’s pretty brown eyes. Now it’ll take all his faith—and a hopeful five-year-old—to show the city gal that she’s already home.
***At the day job today, I’ll be around later to chat.***
By day, Jill Weatherholt works for the City of Charlotte. At night, and on the weekend, she writes contemporary stories about love, faith and forgiveness for Harlequin Love Inspired. Raised in the suburbs of Washington, D.C., she now resides in Charlotte, North Carolina, but her heart belongs to Virginia. She holds a degree in Psychology from George Mason University and Paralegal Studies Certification from Duke University. She shares her life with her real-life hero and number one supporter. Their relationship grew on the golf course, and now they have one in their backyard. Jill believes in enjoying every moment of this journey because God has everything under control.
Hi Jill, hope work has been kind to you today:) I enjoyed hearing about your book memories; I loved the Golden Books, especially the Poky Little Puppy!! I was blessed- my dad’s cousin was our school librarian, so I got advance notice of awesome new books coming in.
I love sitting in a beanbag in our lounge room reading, in winter with a cup of tea. I also have an odd habit of sitting underneath my kitchen bench on a step stool, reading while I wait for the water to boil, sauce to simmer…you get the idea!!
Blessings:)
Hi Jill. Thanks for sharing how your love of books began. I wish I’d had a bookmobile in our neighbourhood when I was growing up. I didn’t see one until after my daughter was born. We did have the scholastic book club newsletter though, and we could order books from it. I remember loving Clifford, the big red dog and The Berenstain Bears. I always loved a trip to the library.
There are a few favorite places I like to read. Our family room, my reading room, in my car at the park, on my exercise bike. I hope you can continue to squeeze some reading time into your hectic life. **PLEASE DON’T ENTER ME IN THE GIVEAWAY FOR YOUR BOOK JILL. AS YOU KNOW, I ALREADY HAVE A COPY** ( :
Happy Friday, Jill! Thanks for sharing your love of books and reading. My love of reading started in 5. Grade when I read the entire Boxcar Children series. In the summer weekly I received my Weekly Reader. After I began driving my weekly chore was to take my brother to the YMCA for his swimming lesson. Across the street was the Christian Book store and I used my allowance and my bakery money earnings to buy Christian romances.
My FAVORITE RITUAL was: as a pastor’s wife with young children during the summer, I had a monthly reading day. My sons knew not to disturb mom. Lunch was in the refrigerator and unless you were bleeding to death – you did not disturb mom. I liked to read a book in a day.
Now I read whenever and wherever I can – my books are on my phone, Kindle, and iPad. I prefer to read on my bed, so I can stretch out. In the summer I enjoy reading outside on my PaperWhite. During the week I read and reread children’s books to my 3 year old granddaughter, who reads to her dolls. Glad to have new reader in the family.
I can totally relate to your love for books. I too was known to loose myself in a book for as long as I can remember. I remember taking books from the public library every summer and of course saving my pennies to buy books–my teen years were pretty much defined by reading Robin Jones Gunn’s Christy Miller’s series, in which pretty much my entire allowance would go. I loved book sales (still do) and that’s where I got pretty much all of my Agatha Christie collection (and lately all my nonfiction, academic related books).
My favorite reading spot used to change during the year (mostly bed during winter, curled up with many blankets, and lying in a hammock in the summer), but these days I read just about anywhere.
Hi Jill,
I am so excited and happy for you! Readers will love Second Chance Romance.
I’m also a life-long reader. I remember how exciting it was to get my first library card. We had age restrictions and had to be able to write our name too. I also loved the summer reading programs and getting stickers for each book I read.
I read every night before going to sleep, even if I’m exhausted and only get to read a couple of paragraphs. It’s part of who I am. This year I started listening to books on CD as I travel, and that’s been fun and it keeps me awake.
Congratulations on your book!
Hi, Jill! I’m commenting, but please don’t enter me in the drawing. I want someone else to have a chance to win this wonderful book. Like you, I experienced the joy of reading at an early age. The Bookmobile would come by my neighborhood, giving us the chance to borrow great books. Among my favorite first books were Alice in Wonderland/Through the Looking Glass (Lewis Carroll) and Mitch and Amy (Beverly Cleary).
My favorite place to curl up with a book is my bed! I have a wonderfully warm sherpa blanket and plump pillows. Sounds very comfortable, right? Too comfortable sometimes. I often fall asleep in the middle of reading!
Awww, Stuart Little… and the Velveteen Rabbit for me. Pooh, too! I am excited about your book, can’t wait to read it! I would love a chance at getting your book with your autograph, thank you for the chance. I will be buying it for sure no matter what… :)
I don’t remember the standard children’s book except for Winnie the Pooh but I went to a Catholic grade school and read every book in their small library. Unfortunately they were all biographies of saints along with their horrific and brutal deaths. I still can’t read Stephen King.
Happy Friday, Jill! You know what that means? More time to READ! lol. I don’t know how you squeeze it all in, sweet friend. I’m on a bit of a reading hiatus right now, but when I do read, I’m curled up on the recliner in the evenings while hubby watches something on TV that doesn’t interest me. I really like your idea of reading on the elliptical. Total win!
Oh, and please don’t enter me in the drawing. I was honored to read Second Chance Romance already (THANK YOU, JILL!). I’m so excited that your big day will soon be here and the whole world will have a chance to enjoy your baby. Wishing you an amazing weekend, my friend. Hugs!
Ah, you bring back wonderful memories. I haven’t thought of Bookmobiles in ages. I wonder if they’re still out there.
Great to see your post here Jill, and what wonderful memories you conjure up for me as you share your own! I love those little Golden books (I made sure my children had them too!) and oh, the Bookmobile, one of my favourite childhood memories. I used to love those little brown cards the librarian stamped with the date and put back in the little folder stuck to the back of the book. I think exercising while reading sounds like a win win for sure, I need to do that! These days I read at night last thing but I fall asleep…not good! So excited for you and your big day, almost here, and I am honoured to already have your wonderful book, so no need to enter me in your draw, but wanted to say again, many, many congratulations on your debut book release! xoxo
Jill, I’m so excited for you that THE DAY is almost here! I look forward to reading your book. I saw that same Golden book about prayers not long ago, and it thrills my heart to see it’s still out there! I shared your love of reading as a child, and my weekly allowance of $5.00 would buy three hardback Nancy Drew mystery books. I guess I AM getting old… :) Nothing thrilled me more to get those books (I still have them!), and I was literally one of those little girls under the covers with a flashlight reading when I was supposed to be sleeping. Reading fueled my imagination, and I like to believe it helped shape the author I am today. Just this morning I saw my daughter borrowed my copy of a book about master plots… Hmm… Many blessings to you and congratulations! :)
I always enjoy reading your blog posts, they always bring a smile to my face. I typically put my feet up on my desk and read a good technical manual or user guide. LOL Not a lot of reading in my life, although I do enjoy a good story and typically use Audiobooks in the car. So unless I can get you to read your book to me, I think I’m going to have to buy a copy and actually read it. Looking forward to it and congratulations again. Any chance there’s an Audiobook coming out too?!
Thank you for the walk down memory lane, especially seeing a Golden Book I loved with the little girl and the daisy circlet. There are a lot of winners here. I hope I’m The One!
Happy Friday, Jill. So nice to see you out and about. I was so pleased to see Stuart Little show up. Happy Weekend.
In the winter the sun comes streaming through the glass storm door in the front of my house and I love to sit there in the sun with a cozy blanket and lunch and read for a while.
No bookmobile where I grew up, but almost as good was the day my mother took me with her to the second hand bookshop she used to buy her Harlequins from! Books jammed every ankle in every corner – a wonderland! I also borrowed to the max allowed from the library, and spent all my pocket money (and when I was older, my babysitting earnings) on books. The one sad thing about writing is that it chews into my reading time!
That’s great that the big day for your book is almost here! I’m excited to read it. Your posts always bring back memories – I loved Judy Blume books, the Narnia ones, Harriet the Spy, Little House on the Prairie – there were always so many great ones to read! I used to climb out onto the roof to read them. Now I just read on the couch instead. Hope you have a happy weekend with lots of book release celebrations!
So excited for you, Jill. I love your book cover and the story sounds very intriguing. Good luck with your launch.. I ve always enjoyed reading and many of your childhood authors are probably the same as mine. I loved the Narnia series, Biggles, Just William and of course the classics like Jane Eyre, The Water Babies, The Famous Five and many Charles Dickens novels. xx
I like to read on the couch in front of the fireplace. Toss in some tea and dark chocolate, and it’s perfect!
Well, it looks like I missed the cut off time to enter, but wanted to say thanks for sharing here. In grade school, I remember getting pamphlets with books to order for reading. We just checked off the ones we wanted and had our parents write a check to buy the ones we wanted. Oh, how l loved getting those pamphlets with all those descriptions of so many fantasies. My favorite: The Velvet Room.
I know what you mean about not having the time to read anymore. I so miss it.
Jill, you sound a lot like me, wishing there was more time to read. You sparked lovely memories here, of library books and bookmobiles (I snuck in a mention of a bookmobile in my first book).
You must be getting excited now! Can’t wait to read Second Chance Romance! :)
I have accidentally pushed the arrow. I hope that this will allow me to say, I would like today Jill is a very kind and gracious blogging friend. She is present in comments of people she follows, with such nice and supportive comments! <3
I liked listening to books read by my parents as a child. I also enjoyed the idea of Winnie the Pooh being a stuffed animal owned by a girl named Robin. If you look at the little cloak he wears and his page boy haircut, you may "see" a girl, too. My Dad read each time using just Robin and used the pronouns of her and she. My younger brothers and I didn't l this until a cousin told us the "truth."
I relate to the idea of fantasy, love and romance taking us away, to other realities and far off places. So happy Jill's book is published and ready to be released! Much happiness and wishes of future book writing efforts rewarded in publishing! Sincerely, Robin Cochran xo
You love books as much as I do.I started my journey early,I remember reading nearly 80 books in the second grade.
Favorite places to read, over the years have been up in a tree, stretched out on a rock overlooking a pond, in cornered, everywhere.
Right now I usually read curled up on my couch, but I always have a book wherever I go.
I have always loved books! I cannot have too many lol. Best place to read is curled up on the couch with my dog and cat close by. Would love to win an autographed copy of your book, Jill! Thanks for the chance.
Congrats on your big day! Some of my early favorites were Heidi and The Five Little Peppers and how They Grew!
Hi Wemble! It was a great day at work, thanks. Oh, the Poky Little Puppy…I loved that one too. How nice that you had the inside scoop on new books. A beanbag chair and a cup of tea, sounds wonderful. Aren’t beanbags the most comfortable? Thanks for sharing your reading rituals today. Enjoy your weekend!
It’s great to see you here, Laurie. I have such fond memories of the bookmobile. Oh, Clifford…I loved him too. I’ve seen your reading room and I’m so jealous. It’s really beautiful and so neat! Thank you for purchasing SECOND CHANCE ROMANCE, I hope you enjoy it. Have a great weekend and enjoy the beautiful weather that’s in our forecast.
Happy Friday to you too, Renate! Boy, it’s been a long week. Funny that you mentioned the Boxcar Children, I discovered them on the bookmobile. Wasn’t that a great series? “Lunch was in the refrigerator and unless you were bleeding to death – you did not disturb mom.” That’s hilarious! An entire day of reading…that sounds heavenly to me. It’s so nice to hear your granddaughter has learned the joy of reading at such a young age…thanks to her grandmother. I appreciate you sharing your rituals today. I hope you have a great weekend!
I had a feeling you’d relate, Priscila. Robin’s books weren’t around when I was a teen…you’re a lot younger than me. :) I did love Agatha Christie too. Ah…a hammock, that sounds so nice. With the new baby, I’m sure you have to be flexible when it comes to when and where you read. Congratulations to you and your husband! I appreciate you stopping by today. Enjoy the weekend.
Hi Jackie! Thank you so much for your kind words. I really appreciate it. It was exciting to get that first library card, wasn’t it? I remember slipping it into my wallet and feeling as though I was now an official reader. Oh yes, the stickers…I forgot about those. What great memories we have thanks to books. I’m with you on reading every night before going to sleep. I often wake my with glasses all twisted and my Kindle lost somewhere in the bed. :) Congratulations again on the sale of your home. I know you’re counting down the days. Thanks for visiting
Hi L. Marie! Thank you for your sweet comment. I really appreciate your support and encouragement. I’m happy to hear you were able to enjoy visits from the bookmobile. I remember ours was always freezing, but it didn’t matter, I wanted to get some books. :) Oh yes, the Sherpa, along with plump pillows is a guaranteed snooze fest, no matter how good the book. Thanks for visiting today. I hope you have a fantastic weekend!
Hi Pix! Thanks so much for popping over here today. Stuart Little was so sweet, wasn’t he? For some reason, I don’t remember the Velveteen Rabbit. I must Google it, and maybe it will jog my memory. Pooh has always been a favorite of mine too. So much wisdom inside that little guy. Thank you for your kind comment about my book. You’ve always been a tremendous support and so encouraging. You’re entered! Have a wonderful weekend!
Hi Kate! I appreciate you stopping by today. Winnie the Pooh was and is still loved by many. I hear you on Stephen King. While in college, I read so many of his books, but somewhere along the line, I turned into a big Scaredy-cat. Have a great weekend!
I’m so excited for you Jill, you’d think I was the one with a book coming out, LOL!
My favorite winter reading spot is in my recliner, but I’m looking into the elliptical as a better choice for double duty. Tomorrow it’s going to be 70° so I’ll be reading outside on the patio soaking up the sunshine.
Congratulations on your wonderful Second Chance Romance, your on your way now girl!
Hi Tori! Happy Friday to you too! It’s been a long week, that’s for sure. Yes, more time to read and write! And we can do it outside. Have you heard the forecast? Yowza! I can’t wait. Reading while on the elliptical or the treadmill, makes that hour go so much faster. Word of caution, don’t try to run and read on the treadmill….I’ve had some close calls. Thank you so much for your sweet words and encouragement. You’ve been so supportive and I really appreciate you! Have a great weekend! xo
Hi Jacqui! I appreciate you hopping over today. The bookmobile is one of my favorite childhood memories. From what I’ve read, there’s still some rolling into neighbors across the US. That makes me happy. I hope you have a great weekend!
Congrats! My very first book I bought with my allowance money from a bookstore was “Tick Tock of OZ”. I must have been around 2nd grade and it was a book both my parents took turns reading aloud to my baby bro and me!
Favorite spot to read: all of the above…but one place I remember with fondness was sitting in the cottonwood tree in the empty lot next to my childhood home during my 4th grade summer reading a neighbor’s collection of original Nancy Drew books…tons and tons of ’em!
Enjoy your book launch – you’ve earned it!
Hi Sherri! I’m happy to be here once a month. I appreciate you coming on over. There were so many great Little Golden Books. I’d forgotten about The Poky Little Puppy, until Wemble mentioned it in her comment. That’s wonderful that you too were able to experience the joys of the Bookmobile. Oh yes! The little brown cards…LOL. Did you ever have to pay a fine for returning your book late? :) Thank you so much for all of your support, it’s meant the world to me. Enjoy the weekend! xo
How wonderful to see you, JoAnn! I’ve missed you and your posts, but I know how busy you are. The Little Golden Books are indeed a treasure. I have a feeling they’ll be around for a long, long time. Oh gosh, I wish I still had my Nancy Drew books. I enjoyed the Hardy Boys too. I agree, reading definitely fueled our imaginations. Well, we might just see a book penned by your daughter in the near future. Thank you so much for all of your encouragement, JoAnn. I truly appreciate it. xo
Thank you so much, John. It makes me happy that you enjoy my blog posts. Hey, there’s nothing like a good user guide, eh? LOL! I have a difficult time with Audiobooks as my mind tends to wander. As far as I know, my book won’t have an audio version, unless I record one myself with a handheld recorder, which is highly unlikely. :) I appreciate you stopping by today. Have a great weekend!
Hi Marian! Thanks so much for the extra clicks to make it here. There were so many great Golden Books but that was always my favorite…such a sweet little face. I hope you’re a winner too! Enjoy your weekend!
Hi John! Thank you for the extra clicks. I appreciate your visit. Wasn’t Stuart Little the greatest? Happy Friday to you too. Enjoy the weekend!
We’re kindred spirits, Jessica. I do the same on our front staircase, while writing. Enjoy the warmth! Thanks so much for visiting today. Enjoy your weekend!
That bookshop sounds wonderful, Autumn. It’s definitely a space where I could spend hours. You’re not kidding about writing taking up our reading time. It’s certainly a juggling act. Thanks for sharing your memory today. Enjoy the weekend!
Hi Sheila! Thanks so much for coming over today. Oh my gosh, how could I forget Harriet the Spy! I loved her and Little House on the Prairie. LOL! I guess reading on the couch is safer than going out on the roof. :) Did your parents know? Have a great weekend! Perhaps you’ll head out to the roof. :) Enjoy!
Right backatcha, sweet friend. ?
I appreciate your kind words and your support, Sylvia. It appears that I missed out on Biggles. I had to Google it and it sounds like something I’d love. Thank you for visiting today and sharing your favorite childhood authors. Enjoy your weekend!
Thanks, Tori! <3
Hi Carrie! That sounds pretty nice to me…especially the dark chocolate. :) Thanks for popping over. Enjoy your weekend!
Thank you, Jill. You as well.
Oh no, you’re good, Lori. The contest ends tomorrow, the 18th, at 3:00 p.m. I’ll definitely throw your name into the hat. Oh my! I completely forgot about the pamphlets. How great was that…check off what we wanted and our parents stroke a check. Life was good! Thanks so much for visiting today. I hope you have a fantastic weekend!
Thanks, John!
Hi Jennifer! It’s so nice to see you. I love that you mentioned a bookmobile in your first book. So, I assume they rolled through your neighborhood as well. Weren’t they great? My plan for this weekend, once I get my word count in, is to fire up my Kindle and start reading Calmer Girls. I might do OT on the elliptical. :) Have a great weekend!
Hi Robin! Yep, the arrow allowed you to stay. :) I’ve experienced some issues with the arrow as well. Thank you for your kind words and for sharing the lovely memory of you, your family and Winnie the Pooh. Like you, reading has always been an escape for me. Even though my reading time is limited these days, it’s always one of my favorite way to relax. Thanks for popping over today. Have a great weekend! I hope your mother is doing better. xo
Oh my word! Eighty books in the second grade! That’s impressive, Linda. So, how many do you read now, one hundred and eighty? I’m so jealous. Perhaps you and Sheila should start a book club, she likes to read on roofs, but she might like the tree. :) Yep, like you, I’ve always got a book with me too. Recently, after being stuck in a two hour traffic jam, I was thankful for my book. Thanks for sharing with us today. Enjoy your weekend.
Hi Sally! What? Your favorite place to read isn’t in the middle of a snow storm…outside? LOL! Seriously, your reading place sounds very cozy. Your name is in the hat! Thanks for sharing today. Enjoy your weekend!
Thanks, Val! I’ve got to Google that book, but it sounds so you! Enjoy your weekend.
Aw…Tracey, thank you so much for your sweet comment. I really appreciate your support and enthusiasm. LOL! I know it’s cozy, but we’re going to get you out of that recliner. I’ll be checking in with you. :) Your forecast sounds similar to ours. I’ll be writing outside for sure! I hope you’re feeling better. Enjoy the weekend!
How nice to see you here, Laura. I really appreciate it. What a sweet memory of your parents reading to you and your baby bro. That’s so nice. But reading in the cottonwood tree…wow! I love that. All this talk about Nancy Drew, it’s making me want to revisit those stories. Thank you for your encouragement, Laura. I hope you have a great weekend!
Elkhart, Indiana or a community near there just purchased a book mobile in the last year!
Thank you, Jill. We’re really happy with our baby boy. And you’re absolutely correct about being flexible to read now that he’s around. I thought I’d stop reading almost entirely, but it turned out that I’ve been just reading less frequently. Maybe I will stop as he reaches a more attention demanding age. Meanwhile, I’ve been getting really cool book suggestions from this blog. Thanks to you all.
Perhaps when he begins to demand more attention, you can give audio books a try. We love having you here, Priscila! Enjoy your day!
That’s great to hear, Renate!
:-)
Yes he was. :-D
They didn’t know but they ended up finding out. I’ll stick to the couch for now! :)
Didn’t our parents always find out, Sheila…LOL! Happy Saturday!
So many happy memories from books! Loved the Golden Books, Dr. Seuss, Stuart Little, Nancy Drew. And a visit to the library, a bookmobile, or a bookstore was bliss!
I don’t read as much fiction as I used to . . . but I still enjoy curling up with a good book when I have the time.
I’m a committed reader in the bath :) :) Sounds like a great read, Jill. Good luck with it!
Hey Nancy! Thanks for popping over. Yes, so many great memories. Our elementary school always had an annual book fair. There were table and tables of fabulous books…it was a dream come true. Enjoy your weekend!
Hi Jo! Thanks for coming over. I really appreciate your support over the years. I’ve tried to read in the bath, but I’ve ruined too many books. I’m better on dry land. :) Happy Weekend!
Jill, my Mom settled in fairly well last night in the smaller but more care driven Memory Care unit. My brother sent me a photograph and I was pleased at how they set the room up for her. Thanks for asking. As I mentioned, you are a dear friend. <3
My favorite books were The Yearling, Rascal and since I had two brothers, many of Jack London's books. Your mentioning Nancy Drew reminded me I did enjoy those books! :)
It seems lying on my sofa in winter, outdoors on a towel in grass or on a beach in summer means time to relax with a book. Take care and I am excited about tomorrow! xo Robin
I too remember The Poky Little Puppy! Such delightful books. I don’t remember having to pay a fine, I would have been mortified, lol! Did you? I did used to renew books though, if I didn’t get through them all. I can’t remember what the limit was, but oh to leave with an armful of books was just the most exicting feeling wasn’t it? And likewise dear Jilly B, your support for me has meant the world also. We are in this together! Thank you, a good weekend and hope you did too…and here’s to a wonderfully exciting, awesome week ahead…big day tomorrow for you my friend, at last, yay!!! :-) <3 xoxo
The Poky Little Puppy was my favorite Golden Book.
I usually curl up on my side of the couch to read in the winter or under some shade by the pool in the summer.
Which books are you looking forward to reading this summer?
Amanda
I have great memories of reading The Poky Little Puppy, Amanda. It sounds as though your set, no matter the season. :) Oh gosh, my Kindle is exploding with so many books, I’ll have to do a quick inventory. Thanks for stopping by!