Hi everyone! I try to go through my books every now and then and weed out the ones I no longer want to keep. Making room for the new! The ones I’m no longer interested in get donated to my town’s library. They often will put them on the bookshelves because it’s a small independent library. So I know I can always check them out if I want to read them again. They also set some aside for their book sales benefitting the library.
Anyway, I went through one bookcase in my living room recently (there are two)and got rid of a stack of books. So, naturally, I had to do a little re-arranging too! It was also a good time to dust the shelves and the books. 
This bookshelf has some of my vintage books. I love the look old books because the covers are usually so pretty (before dust jackets).
Last year I found a “reader” in a junk store and was really fascinated by the whole idea that these use to be the textbooks used in schools. I remember “readers” being mentioned in my Little House books. I guess the most well known “readers” are the McGuffey Readers. Did any of you use those in school?
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So far I’ve found these three and really enjoy reading the stories in them. It’s also really interesting to see how a subject used to be taught.
In one of them I found an old report card! 14 kids in the class – can you imagine. Do you see the 2 cent stamp!!
I also love the charming illustrations. It’s fun finding new things to collect!
If you love books like me, you might like to read Brenda’s (Coffee Tea Books and Me) lovely post called On Behalf of Old Books.
Thanks for all the lovely birthday wishes for my daughter! She had a really good one and we are ready to stay home for a while. I’m such a homebody and so is she that it’s tiring for both of us to be out and about so much! But we had fun.
Remember that you have until tonight to still enter the March book giveaway. Go to the post below and leave a comment. I’ll post the winner tomorrow morning. Thanks for dropping by today!
Thanks for sharing your book collection. I love books! Old and new. I went to a small Catholic grade school in a very small town and graduated with inly 9 students in our class.
I do that too, give away my books. There are so many new books coming out each and every day, that the chance of my going back to the old ones is very small.
I was eyeing your bookcase, it looks lovely. Great inspiration for a bookcase makeover I am planning.
I love books and your old ones are so pretty, I've never thought to collect them, but how lovely to do so.
I will only give away my books if I run out of shelf space which I did a while back but now we bought more bookcases so I will keep them again for a while 😉
I love books and your bookshelf is charming. I kept trying to read titles. Thank-you for donating to your local library. I work in a library and with all the budget cuts in FL we really depend on our patrons' donations. I also work at the yearly booksale–what a great resource for finding those wonderful old books. Enjoy your collection. And now I will go "play" with my books and see if I can make my bookshelves as attractive as yours.
You have a wonderful collection of books. I love old books, too. I have a couple of old readers, but they aren't as old as yours are. Great post!
Hi Manuela
We do that here too! Periodically we will donate books we no longer have space for to make room for new books…we donate the kids books to the local daycare and school, or the doctor/dentist waiting room. Our novels either go to the local hospital waiting room or get passed along to friends/family. I always remove dust jackets…books are so pretty without them 🙂 xx
Wonderful old books Manuela!
I'll bet the stories are interesting. I'll be surprised if any of your readers used McGuffey in school though LOL!
You have some real treasures!
I also love old readers. Such beautiful books. . . and such great results achieved in those school days!
Such beautiful books–vintage are my favorite. I love the old readers…so charming!
Hope you have a lovely day!
Manuela,
LOVE your post today. And your bookshelf is SUCH inspiration. yes, old books are so neat to peruse through. And I adore the illustrations too. Sometimes books are keepers just for the pictures in them. I DID get the McGuffey readers for my kids in our homeschooling. I don't think THEY were so impressed but I sure liked the stories with the character included and of course I loved the illustrations. thanks for the charming photos to go with your wonderful post. Enjoyed my visit.
Julie
What a treat to catch a glimpse at your wonderful treasures. I've never seen a Reader, the illustrations are so precious.
Thank you for sharing!!
Hope you have a lovely day…
Erin
http://homeswheremyheartis.blogspot.com
Oh girl I love those Readers and even when I was a kid in grade school we had readers for the year…WOW!! just dated myself on that one…Loved seeing your books…there just something about old books and decorating…also loved seeing your Toile drapes…Hope you have a GREAT Day my friend…Hugs and smiles Gl♥ria
Your bookshelf looks so nice with the books stacked and standing… I didn't learn by using McGuffey readers, but I did teach from McGuffey readers. My students all seemed to love them and my own son has kept his set to this day.
I love your post about books and bookshelves. I'm also an avid reader and lover of books. In fact I just did two posts on books and libraries.
I want to find some good old books to put in the bookcase on my sitting room to add warmth and texture. Just a few. I love the way you have yours displayed. Just the right amount of books with accessories thrown in. Very nice.
Such lovely books, and displayed so nicely. Thank you for sharing them with us. I too love reading vintage books, we can learn such a lot from the 'old ways'.
Last year I had a real good sort out of my 'library' and took a lot of reference books to my local schools, I thought the children would benefit more than the charity shop.
Hi Manuela! I like to weed out books every now and then too. Our library has a big sale once a year and they sell whatever has been donated. Works for me!
I have a few of those old readers. As a teacher, I love to look at the old lessons that were taught.
Your house is already looking pretty and springy.
Love the rearranged bookshelf. I buy very few books anymore; mainly just go to the library (I still read a lot). I've never seen old readers, but now you've inspired me to start looking for them!
Lovely books, Manuela! I love the covers on the old ones, too. I believe we used readers when I was growing up in Brooklyn. Although, they were probably like Dick and Jane type books.
I have such a huge weakness for old Victorian children's books. I am not even going to pretend they are for my girls xoxox Clarice
I have never seen a reader but I will have to keep my eye out for them when I look at vintge books.
Last year I found four old books from the Anne of Green Gables series. Now I'm always on the lookout for old books.
The reader books are really intriguing. I've never heard of them before but now I'll be keeping an eye out for those too.
Your bookcases and shelves always look great.
Shirlee =)
I love those old books. I'm collecting more, but I treasure my own copies. I have Little Women, too! Linda
Alcott, Wilder, Austen….my favorites!!! We could definitely share a library collection. There's nothing like vintage books. My original ones my mom gave me as a child are the most precious.
That little story in the Reader… "They scampered away…" I think I've read that before. Perhaps in a book by Washington Irving. Of his travels in the UK, when he was a young man.
He stayed with a friend for Christmas and seems the little ones of the household, knocked on bedroom doors, on Christmas morning. Mabye….. 🙂
Love that illustration!!!
I have some of the books my Great Grandmother used to teach school in the very early 1900's. They are some of my most cherished possessions along with her piano.
My books are among my most prized possessions. I hate to get rid of them especially the old ones, but I already have books in every room, so I buy very few books now. I'm still trying to read the ones I've got. Your bookshelves are lovely just like everything else in your home. Linda
What a great collection of books you have, Manuela. I love old books. I like finding things in old books too, like little notes or bookmarks. I'm not familiar with the old readers…I'll have to keep an eye out for them.
There is something about old books that fascinates me too, wondering who read them, thinking about the author. I am constantly weeding out books too. I have 2 bags full right now to give to a local charity thrift shop. I hope you come to my tea party tomorrow.
Ah…I love old books as well and your shelves are beautiful! I just wanna come and have a cuppa tea and go through your books – can we arrange that? LOL
Learned a new word from your post today – approbation meaning praise! Thanks for showing us your books. Sally
I love those old books. How fun! I love looking at the illustrations too – beautiful!
XOXO
Jen
I adore books…both old and new!
I have some old reader books also, they are fun to look through!
Blessings!
~Nadine
Enjoyed looking at your books…I too am a lover of books and rearranged many today. I have started collecting picture books to read to my grandchildren one day…So many books, so little time.
I love books! I recently found a few old readers too! Fun stuff!
I have several books that I remember from elementary school…Peppermint Fence, etc. They just make me smile. Your bookcase looks lovely.
What great books Manuela! I love old books too and get so excited when I see them at the Thirft Store 🙂 Thank you for sharing and thank you for the link to Brenda's, I'll be chcking it out 🙂
Have a wonderful day!
Sharon
Thanks for sharing 🙂 I love old books!
Okay, Manuela, this comment-post is going to be a doozie. In fact, I think I'm even going to do a post on my own blog on the topic of this comment-post on yours. Your blog (Web+log)is SUCH a breath of fresh air! Here's why: I'm growing weary of BADS (Web+ads). Sweet, interesting-to-me blogs have CHANGED. All the ads, all that stuff. Yours is STILL interesting to me. Yours is still refreshing. I just LOVE seeing your books, "visiting" your home, being inspired by you. I feel the peace. *Inhale*Exhale* Ahh. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Hi Manuela- our minds are thinking the same direction- I've been thinking of doing a post on vintage books, too! Love your great readers and those wonderful report card-, what a cute find! I'm always on the hunt for great old books! Thanks for sharing!
I love your collection and can almost smell the peppery goodness of those pages from here. You have inspired me to do some rearranging this weekend with my collection.
Hugs,
Dena
What fun to find such a precious treasure in your book. What a beautiful collection….I noticed your Little House set too…love it!
Your bookshelf is gorgeous! And those readers are fabulous little treasures. How fortunate to find the report card inside. So wonderful to look back on the past. Wishing you many blessings for in the week to come. Tammy
Great post Manuella. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE old books. Some of the things you find in them, or written in them are enchanting! I have my grandmother's Readers and some of my Mother's as well. They are old!
Thanks for sharing! Perfect!
Karen
What a charming collection of old books. I just love old readers. I bought the McGuffey readers for my kids and they love to read from them. They have the most charming stories. So un PC for today's generation, but that is why I love them. Thanks for sharing. It makes me want to have some tea right now.
I love old books. I have 2 large bookshelves and they're full of pictures and books. I love all the pictures and projects you share….thank you!
Marilyn in NM
Manuela, I love old books, and you have some beauties. Your shelves look so pretty. Of course, the toile drape next to them caught my eye and made the shelves even prettier. laurie
I just found your blog through a link from "Cute as pie Cottage". I really love your book collection ( too collect old children's reading books as well as many more types too) and am so excited to hear that you donate to your local library. I am Assistant Director at a small rural library and let me tell you ~ in this tough economic times we are doing all we can just to keep the doors open ~ donations are always welcomed. Thanks for pointing that out ~ even when a library can't use your book the money from their book sales are put right back into their library. I've put you in my favorites file and look forward to visiting again and again.
Diane
The Library Lady
"Take surprise and delight in the little things"
Oh I love your readers! We home educate and I have just bought an old copy of the McGuffy 1st reader. My daughter is LOVING it! Such sensible wholesome stories, not at all like some of the twaddle published today!
Blessings
Shirley
Hello Manuela, your bookshelf is gorgeous. The books are amazing but the way you arrange your bookshelf is simply beautiful. I'm inspired to give my own a little makeover. I like teacups as well, so I'm definitely liking this idea. Thanks for sharing.
If my book shelf looked this organized I would think ever be do grateful to the person that came and done it for me! I am going to get my book shelf organized dad-burnit.
Everything looks so nice and beautiful! Be blessed. Cindy