The other day I was in need of a magical story. Not a story about magic, but a story that was magic. It had to be a short tale, one that would satisfy my craving for a wonderful romance and still fit into my rather insane schedule.
So I went to my keeper shelf and pulled out a story that had once awed me with its magic — The Mad Earl’s Bride by the incomparable Loretta Chase. It’s a short story, one of four in an anthology that also features two of my other all-time favorite authors: Kathleen E. Woodiwiss and Lisa Kleypas.
I can’t describe the delight I found in opening the yellowed pages and discovering the magic I’d first felt when reading the story was still there. Waiting for me. It hadn’t changed or lost power. It was still as potent as ever. I closed the book a happier person. Recharged. Ready to get back to work and hopefully create a similar feeling of magic for another reader. As I slipped that book back into its spot on my keeper shelf (which is actually an overflowing bookcase 
), I was awed to see the number of “keepers” I’ve collected over the years. I ran my fingers over the creaseless spines (yes, I’m one of those readers who keeps their books pristine) and felt the magic.
Do you feel the same way when you return to your keeper shelf? 
Hi Sylvia,
yes I know that feeling. My keeper shelves are also overflowing, because I have a hard time to part with good books and I have so many authors where I have the whole backlist. It’s great to know that you have to go to your book shelf for guaranteed good read.
Oh definitely! I love re-reading old favorites. They are great for when you are in a reading slump or if you need that feeling you know a certain book gives you. I recently bought a book from ebay – I already had a copy but I think I lent it to someone and never got it back – and I just got it this week. Devoured it in one night.
I know some people don’t re-read, though they love to watch favorite movies over and over. I do that too.
Absolutely! I sometimes even forget what is on my keeper shelf and I’m surprised when I go through it!!
I feel the same way, and much to my husband’s dismay, my keeper “shelf” has turned into a whole keeper “bookshelf”.
My keepers are like good friends – you might not talk to them every day but you know they are always there.
I feel the same way about my keeper shelf. They are treasured old friends.
I have a huge keeper book case:!: It is filled with my favorite authors, autographed books, magazines, picture books, kids books, etc. I just love my own little library that I can go to when I want to read something that I know will lift my spirits and make me happy.
I also have my TBR bookcase that is filled to the brim! I can’t resist just sitting down and reading over the backs of my TBR books and deciding what I want to read next. It is like going to the bookstore or library and deciding what to buy/check out.
Just looking at my books, arranged all neatly, puts a smile on my face also.
I have a bookshelf with my keepers. I will go back and read a book sometimes just for the feeling that it gives me or for the emotions that it will bring out. I have a TBR pile, but lately it is getting smaller and a number of the books that I have read are going on the keeper shelf. I am such a pack rat.
Oh yes Sylvia, I do feel the same about my keepers. I have so many that I don’t have shelves for them…had to start storing them in storage containers.
And I must say that the book you mention is one of my favorites and definitely a keeper.
Your post reminds me that I must go through my books and get them in better order. Reading one of my favorites always lifts my spirits.
My husband and I recently retired and downsized our home. Sadly to say a lot(100′s) of my keepers had to go.
I love re-reading the books in my keeper shelf. Old favorites always puts a smile on my face.
I have keepers that have grown into boxes now, but ones that I love to go through and think oh yeah, I remember that and have to reread it. I especially like to keep the series books from some of my auto buy Authors, but also I also have signed copies and singles from authors.
Yup, sure do. I am not a keeper, maybe have 15 and some are:
Kiss an Angel and Dream a Littl Dream by SEP
Sarah’s Child – Linda Howard
Sweet Wind, Wild Wind and Fever by Eliz. Lowell
Rawhide Man by Diana Palmer
Phantom Waltz – Catherine Anderson
just to name a few.
I am a book hoarder – I admit it lol. I just enjoy having books around me – read and unread. But my favorites to get a more prominent spot on my shlves. I rarely reread a book (some series when too much time has passed). I have too many tbr and tbb to go back and reread lol.
not much, just blaze books
I have a huge bag that has my keepers in it and occasionally I go through it just to refresh my memory (and make sure they’re all in good shape).
Sylvia, you mentioned one of my all-time favorite rereads – The Mad Earl’s Bride.
I am always rereading one of my keepers and yes, sometimes buried amongst the back row of my shelves is a jewel or ten, *rolling eyes* that I had forgotten about. I equate rereading a keeper to watching a favorite movie. There always seems there’s just a tidbit you missed and it never ceases to pull you in once again. *sigh*
Absoulutely. My keeper shelf is where I ALWAYS turn. I have a couple that I read again for specific reasons, ones that make me laugh, others that make me cry.
I have Lori Foster’s Too Much Temptaion in my nightstand-Noah never fails to make my heart full and my face smile.