I Shipped My Books to BC

A TOTALLY ORIGINAL IDEA... just don't look at Amarah's recent post...

As the title states, I recently shipped all the books I had accumulated during my three years in Hamilton back to my family home in Vancouver.¹ I am about to make the same journey myself; as it so happens, I am working on this post in Toronto Pearson waiting for my YYZ-YVR flight.

A portion of my Hamilton collection circa December 14th, 2022. You can imagine how much it grew between then and now!

After having books galore on every possible surface, it felt weird to conglomerate them into two reusable shopping bags. But don’t let the number of bags fool you. According to Canada Post, my collection weighed just about 24 kg— around 53 lbs!

Books I have read, books I am reading, and books I have yet to read. Books, books, books! What does it matter? Why did I ship them? Well, I am a maximalist at heart. And it would break said heart to disband my own little library. But, that explanation is probably a cover for sentimentality.

I love my books as books. I love them as memories. I love them as gifts from loved ones. I love them as little snapshots of what I wanted, what I had, what I could have had in different times of my life. I love them and the people they often represent.

So, à l’Amarah, I present the list of some of the books in my collection (or books I hope to add) that I ambitiously believe I will read with my new-found free time; thesis-less, undergrad-less, and roommate-less, why not be overconfident in my own reading speed? And, for sentimentality, I also present the people that live alongside these books in my mind-shelves.

These are presented in no particular order! As they say, I’m just vibing.

---

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë

Because I copied Amarah with this post, I feel it’s fair to start with my entry for her.

Right after I vowed not to collect any more books, I saw this copy of The Tenant of Wildfell Hall in the King W Books used book cart. One of my earliest Amarah-book memories is her telling me how much she loves this book. As we are now split across the country (and, next year, the world), it seems that reading this book may give me a reason to continue bugging her for conversations.

Amarah, keep an eye out in our text history for when I get to this one! I’ve loved having book discussions with you on the couch and I can’t wait for so many more, now over text and phone. Parallel lives keep going beside each other, even though they’re farther apart.

Big Friendship: How We Keep Each Other Close by Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman

This one is a long time coming. Ramsey, if you’re reading, this is for you!

When I first moved out, I was talking to Ram about my worries with maintaining friendships. Beyond that, how the heck do I make friends as an adult? She recommended this book as the answer to all my worries. I think now, as I’ve moved away from a group of friends again, it’s even more relevant. During the last month or so of my time in Hamilton, I checked it out from the library only to be instantly buried in work.² A concrete summer goal is to get a hold of another copy and, finally, read it!

Ramsey, I’m so happy to be sisters and friends! I can’t wait to spend more time with you now that I’m back in BC for the long run. Sisters from different misters, built-in-friends—whatever beautiful relationship we have, I’m so thankful for it. To continuing friendships!

This One Summer by Mariko Tamaki, illustrated by Jillian Tamaki

On my last night in Hamilton, Sam and I ran into Bohmee dropping books off at a free library. Much to my back’s chagrin, I grabbed this and crammed it into my carry-on.

There’s something so special about middle-grade and teen graphic novels. Maybe it’s the bittersweet feeling of being an adult now myself and seeing depictions of self discovery, identity, and coming of age. Anyhow, I’m super excited for this one. It’s gotten a good review from Bohmee, and that’s all I need to be pumped for a read!

Bohmee, I wish I would go back and tell first-year Tess, nervous to meet Vancouver Artscis for the first time, that this meet-up is the start of something so magical. I’m so happy we’re back in BC together! You can keep your paddleboard at my place forever.

Greenwood by Michael Christie

Sam, while I lent you this book, it still feels like it’s a recommendation from you.³

I bought this from my beloved King W Books during my big tree phase—is it a phase if it’s still ongoing? I was enamoured by the way the pages make a tree-ringed pattern on the side and am a sucker for all things green! Hearing what Sam thought of this book makes me all the more excited to read it. Cyclical/non-chronological storytelling, interconnected narratives, trees—all things I hold dear to my heart. At the rate Sam keeps referencing the story, I should read it before he spoils it all! Now I just have to wait for my Mom to finish reading my copy.

Sam, I can’t wait to quote Greenwood back at you. Hey, maybe you’ll buy yourself a copy and then I’ll read it before you! I love trees and books and green and you so this is quite the lovely mishmash of them all. I’ll send you a postcard when I get to it! Now, get back to your butterflies and your own blog. See you in Vegas!

Mort by Terry Pratchett

Ah, Allison. My original and forever book recommender.

If you all don’t know, this lovely friend of mine was one of the main reasons I got back into reading in university. I bought a solid chunks of her recommendations for me during my first week in Hamilton, marking the beginning of my love affair with indie and second-hand bookstores. One of said recommendations was Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman’s Good Omens. Keeping on the Terry Pratchett train, my old DnD DM⁴ recommended his Discworld series. Allison, an expert in my taste, told me to not go fully chronologically and instead start with Mort. So, it’s time to dust it off my shelf!

Alli, what can I say! You’ve been by my side since kindergarten and lived with me through speech and drama lessons, and everything else. I’m so happy to have grown alongside you! We survived 13 years of YHS together and will thrive with the rest of our lives.

Fantastic Tales of Nothing by Alejandra Green, illustrated by Fanny Rodriguez

This one’s for Ronan, who I don’t expect to be reading this post!⁵

I went over to Torin and Michelle’s⁶ place for a visit and saw Ronan chilling on the couch, reading the second book in this series. Very earnestly, he told me: “Auntie Tessie, if you like graphic novels and Dungeons & Dragons, I would recommend this book!”⁷ There’s absolutely no way he could have sold it to me better. Graphic novels? You’ve read my above thoughts on those. DnD? I am a sucker for some fun fantasy and silly DnD-esque plots.⁸ Immediately went on the Goodreads want-to-read list.

Devon, this one’s for you too! While recommended by Ronan, everything DnD related comes back to you in my mind. Maybe we could book-club this together and then report back to Ronan.

It’s so lovely and odd watching children in your life grow. Ronan (and Karsten), you’re both getting older and it’s absolutely wild and an immense joy to be a part of that! I can’t wait until I read this and debrief it with Ronan. To future shared readings and so much more!

Devon, I can’t wait for you to be full-fledged vet in Vancouver and we can DnD again and hang out together. I’m so grateful for our little friendship family. Let’s do lots more silly adventures and Mike Flanagan TV watch parties! In between you saving animals, of course.

The Narrow Road Between Desires by Patrick Rothfuss, illustrated by Nate Taylor

Torin and Michelle, don’t think I would write to your kids and forget you!

Michelle got me this book for Christmas this year as a follow-up to her gift the previous year: the first book in Rothfuss’s series “The Kingkiller Chronicles.” This is technically like book 2.something, as it’s part of the world’s lore without being the (possibly never-to-be-released) third book in the trilogy. Michelle is an absolute legend when it comes to book analyses and I’ve loved our talks on this series so far. Once I get this one done, I’ll be up-to-date and ready for a full debrief! Torin, I hope you finished The Wise Man’s Fear at Everest base camp and are ready to join!

Michelle, I’m so thankful for all our book chats and I can’t wait for so many more! Maybe being in BC and reading this will give me the motivation to buck up and drive to visit you all in Deep Cove. To more escape room missions with Moscow Mules and (always two) Caesars!

Torin, you better catch up to me! I expect a full series debrief and review when you’re done. I’m your younger, and shorter, sister, and I’m so grateful to you and Shell for making sure I knew to stand on my own feet and make my own decisions! Let’s make a deal not to embarrass Ram too much at the wedding (but enough so that she remembers we’re her siblings hehe).

The Cider House Rules by John Irving

Mom, this one’s for you! Twice you’ve asked me what this post is about, so I hope you’ve liked reading it so far, hehe.

If my memory is right, my Mom used this book to get teenaged Torin more into reading. Maybe the story is elaborated or misremembered, but I swear I remember a bribe being involved? Anyhow, I figured it’s only time for me to take my swing at reading this, because I’ve gotten back into reading for fun. I think I’ve watched the movie, but, honestly, I don’t remember much. I’ll report back to you once I’m done!

Mom, you’re sitting across from my at Kits Beach Coffee, reading Greenwood as it so happens, so I’m trying to be subtle about this post. You’ve done an amazing job as a Mom, so I wouldn’t expect your book recommendations to be any less amazing! I’m happy to be in BC with you.

Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen

Noa, your turn! You are the Jane Austen person, in my mind.

Technically the picture I’ve included is not Northanger Abbey, but it’s the Austen anthology I have. So, I figured that, for authenticity, I will include a picture of the whole thing. I don’t expect to finish all of it anytime soon, so I’ll just set my sights on the one story. When visiting Noa in LA, I asked her which Austen she recommends I start with. Clearly, from this entry, her answer was Northanger Abbey. Now I have the anthology, it’s about time I start my Austen Adventure!

Noa, holy heck! You are doing such amazing work out at film school and I’m so proud of you. Everyone, keep an eye out for Noa Cohen in the film big leagues! I’ll be patient until you return to us in Canada. But when you’re back, I hope we get back to more sister sleepovers!

Taste: My Life Through Food by Stanley Tucci

I’m just continuing my connections between my Dad and Stanley Tucci with this one.

I can’t really explain it, but I’ve often connected Stanley Tucci to my Dad. Maybe it’s the glasses or the love for cooking. Well, this one is for you, Dad. As an avid memoir and non-fiction reader, I figured it only fair to add a second non-fiction to this reading list, just for you. I found this copy in the basement of a vintage clothing store and snatched it up IMMEDIATELY. Let’s see what Mr. Tucci has to say!

Dad, I’m so grateful for what you bring to my life—and not only the food! You just told me today that you’re starting out with sourdough bread. I can’t wait to try it! If it’s something you’ve made, it's sure to be amazing. I’m so lucky to have you as a Dad.

Shift Change: Scenes from a Post-Industrial Revolution by Stephen Dale

Not to a person, but to Hamilton as a city.

I started this post in Hamilton, worked on it while waiting in the airport, and am finishing it up in Vancouver. This is another book that I bought with the intention of reading, only for Sam to snatch it up before I could get to it. I figured what better time to read more about Hamilton after I’ve just left it?

Hamilton, you’ve given me an amazing three years. I loved my explorations of the city and I will be sure to continue them when I’m back for visits. I will miss it, but am happy for my time.

Ok, So maybe 11 books is a LITTLE ambitious. Hey, what can I say? I’m happy to have this newfound free time. Why not be overly-confident? These are not the only book-people sentimentalities in my life. And not by far the only books I want to read!⁹

Well, hopefully my books make it to BC soon. I don’t think I have space for them on my shelf here, but I’ll make it work. Mixing bookshelves, buying new bookshelves, rediscovering childhood books—is there any more perfect of a metaphor for starting a new phase in life?

My bookshelf in my parents’ house, as photographed by Ramsey on April 21, 2024. As you can see, there’s no space… whoops…

I’m looking forward to this next part of life, as up-in-the-air as it is. If I have my books and the important people in my life, I’ll be more than fine.

To those in my life, and reading this post, I love you all! Thanks for reading, and maybe I’ll post an update with what I end up actually getting through. Even if I read none of these this summer, thinking of them and their people brings so much joy. To more books and loved ones! It’s going to be grand.

To everyone who’s finishing a life stage and starting something new, we got this.

1. Minus the odd donation to the little free libraries in my (now past) neighbourhood.

2. Ah, the fourth-year experience.

3. Would you believe it if I told you that he’s never bought me a book? Don’t hold it against him, though; it’s hard to buy someone a book if they keep spontaneously getting them on their own (possibly to a overwhelming degree of shelf-fullness).

4. For those out there who aren’t epic gamers: Dungeons & Dragons Dungeon Master, or Game Master. Basically, the game’s god and the eternal saviour (or enemy) of players everywhere.

5. For context, Ronan is my 10-turning-11 year-old nephew.

6. Context again, my brother and sister-in-law.

7. Paraphrased, of course.

8. Maybe I’ll do a post soon debriefing my most recent DnD campaign…

9. I’m looking at you, Bird Suit by Sydney Hegele. I’m so goshdarn excited to read this!!! I recommend The Pump to basically everyone, so I’m literally chomping at the bit for more of Sydney Hegele’s work.