Lonesome Books | Castaway, Adrift Book Inscriptions

A Marvelous Work and a Wonder

2009-11-23T06:52:00.000-08:00

This book doesn't have an inscription, but it does have a memory reminder. I like the idea of books to remember people. This isn't even a library book though; it doesn't have a stamp that it belongs to any particular church or organization. Perhaps some individual wanted to remember someone.

Inscription reads: "In memory of Luh M. Burke. 8/19/35 - 9/11/83"

But For a Small Moment

2009-11-21T17:30:00.000-08:00

I don't think this book was ever read. When I opened it, it made that splitting sound that new books sometimes make when the spine is cracked. It also smells brand new even though it was gifted in 1987.

Inscription reads: "1987. Dear Elder Firl, May God Bless you always, and you have a happy, healthy future. Eileen and Henry Smith"

Prophets Without Honour

2009-11-19T06:41:00.000-08:00

The recipient of this book obviously attended York Preparatory School, which is located in New York City. This book was given as an award for Excellence in Science. You too can send your child to York for $33,900 a year.

Book plate reads:

York Preparatory School
York Preparatory
Honor Award
Presented to
Brian Wilson
in recognition of
Excellence in Science

If Tomorrow Comes

2009-11-18T08:03:00.000-08:00

A few years back all the rage in books was apocalyptic themes. I love a good apocalyptic movie but not so much in books. Probably because I like the visual thrill of watching buildings collapse and natural disasters occur.

This is an end of the world book. I don't think a person needs to be religious to enjoy reading a book about the apocalypse.

Inscription reads: "Shawna & James, A cannot put it down book! Love Cheryl, Dennis, Sonja & Chandra"

The Book of Mormon

2009-11-17T06:54:00.000-08:00

With the exception of dictionaries, I wonder if scripture books are the most well written in books out there. Passages underlined and notes in the margins; plus I come across a lot of inscribed bibles.

This is book is from Nana. I want to be Nana when I have grand kids.

Inscription reads: "1-15-06. To Drew, Study this well. I love you. Nana"

The Whistling Frog from Lily Pad Pond

2009-11-16T06:44:00.000-08:00

I had a post a while back, The Boy Who Loved Birds, that was signed by the author and illustrator, who just happened to be father and daughter. This book is signed by the author and illustrator, who are father and son.

This book is so precious. It's about a frog that can only tweet, tweet like a bird. When I find books like this that are clearly a special gift, I get a little sad.

Inscription reads: "Douglas, You never know what you can do till you try. William Crain. B.C. (With an illustration of a frog)"

The Guinness Book of Records 1991

2009-11-15T10:22:00.000-08:00

This book was gifted to a couple by a realtor. I wonder what made the realtor think that a book of world records would be a great housewarming gift. When I bought my house the realtor gave me a carbon monoxide detector and a fire extinguisher. Maybe the new home owners collected these books. The bad thing about these books though, is that they are only good for one year.

Inscription reads: "Frank & Rose, Thank you for the opportunity to help with your new home! Best Wishes, Dave"

The Lutz Snyder Co. Realtors

The Greatest of These...

2009-11-14T07:52:00.000-08:00

I've commented before on books inscribed to "Mother". This is a little book of poetry from the 50's given to "Mother". It sounds so stern and mean.

The givers of this book have really awesome names I don't hear anymore though - Chester & Cornelius.

Inscription reads: "To Mother with love. Chester and Cornelius"

Whales

2009-11-13T06:46:00.000-08:00

This book is so cool. I learned that male narwhals duel. How freakin' awesome is that? Of course, now that I learned that completely useless fact, I won't ever forget it and something that is really important got pushed out of my brain. I can't remember if I run from a Grizzly or play dead and that is clearly more important that dueling narwhals.

Inscription reads: "Thank you for your friendship. Christmas 1991. Regards, Don Brown"

The Storm Testament III

2009-11-12T06:49:00.000-08:00

Peter received this book on his 14th birthday, May 30, 1984, which also was my 14th birthday.

Inscription reads: "May 30, 1984. Dear Peter, This is one of the first off the printing press...just in time for your 14th birthday. Love Mommy"

Buy this Book New: Storm Testament Gift Set

Motherhood - The Second Oldest Profession

2009-11-11T06:38:00.000-08:00

I think this would be a wonderful gift to give a new mother or even a mom for Mother's Day. Erma Bombeck has written so many books about motherhood that there is a wide variety of books to gift to someone.

I even love the names of the recipient and the giver - Dot and Maxine. Dot's name peaked for popularity in the 1940's according to the Name Voyager and Maxine peaked in the 1920's - Name Voyager. This website always gives me an idea as to the approximate age of the people listed in the inscription. Of course, they could be much younger, but it's just a helpful site, especially when there is no date included in the inscription to know when the book was gifted.

I've mentioned this before too - the handwriting is cursive and it is so beautiful and easy to read. A sure sign that the people referenced in the inscription are older.

Inscription reads: "To Dot. For whom Motherhood was/is such a joy! Maxine"

His Imprint My Expression

2009-11-10T07:07:00.000-08:00

I can't quite make out the name of the recipient of this book. It looks like it might be "SoonHee".

On an unrelated note, someone is selling this book in Amazon Associates for the low, low price of $164.52.

Inscription reads: "To my sister SoonHee. Love Evelyn"

Disney's Wonderful World of Knowledge

2009-11-09T06:46:00.000-08:00

It looks like this book was originally owned by one girl, but then that name was crossed out and a different girl wrote her name in the book. It's not an inscription, but I thought it was so cute how she wrote who owned this book. Lisa, the owner, also included her parents and perhaps a sibling.

Inscription reads: "This book belongs to Tiffany w. Eveans (crossed out). The Gibson Family. 1. Lisa 2. Den 3. Mom and Dad"

Little Women

2009-11-08T11:52:00.000-08:00

I always love finding classics with inscriptions. This particular copy of this book is a cheap-o though. I realize that this book was published in 1955, but I have books that are much older and don't have such thin and yellow pages.

Inscription reads: "Karyl Lee Harris. Merry Christmas 1961"

Buy the Book New: Little Women (Signet Classics)

Go Forth, Pilgrim

2009-11-07T07:08:00.000-08:00

This book is to a person named "Avanell", which I had never heard before. I looked it up on one of my favorite websites, Baby Name Wizard, and there wasn't even an entry for this name.

Inscription reads: "July 28, 1958. Happy Birthday to you. From Grandma. To Avanell."

In Bed We Cry

2009-11-06T07:03:00.000-08:00

I love finding older books with inscriptions, especially ones published during World War II because they come with this or a similar message:

"This book is complete and unabridged, manufactured under wartime conditions in conformity with all government regulations controlling the use of paper and other materials."

Inscription reads: "To Betty with love - Jeanne. May 26 - 1944"

Stanyan Street & Other Sorrows

2009-11-05T06:21:00.000-08:00

This is a little book of poetry by the poet from the 70's, Rod McKuen. The inscription is so simple, but so lovely.

Inscription reads: "for Gary, the one I love - Mavis"

How to live with your Special Child

2009-11-04T06:58:00.000-08:00

The description of this book on the inside dust cover starts off like this, "George von Hilsheimer spanks kids, calls them brats instead of emotionally disturbed, and considers psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers the professional equivalent of palmists, tea leaf readers, and astrologers." Sounds like a fun read.

The inscription is a piece of paper taped to the inside cover, which is interesting, because the person that owned this book had no problem underlining what they considered relevant passages with a red pen.

This book also had a postcard that was being used as a bookmark. The postmark is August 25, 1968, but the date from the sender is March 24, 1968. It is no surprise that it took so long to get to the recipient though, seeing as it was addressed to just "Mrs. Bernice Sheffer, Nashua, Montana. No zip code and no street address. That is amazing.

Inscription reads: "Lerner - If only their waiting could be merely neutral if only they could sit there learning nothing. It's as cruel to bore a child as to beat him. He learns 90% by sound attitude and communication. How do teachers bear their tragic task? They look away."

Postcard reads: "March 24, 1968. Aloha. Having a grand time in Honolulu. Last lap of our trip. Bernice hope you can make this some day. Joan knows all the places to go. Beach is great. Have quite a tan. Be hard to settle down to quiet life again. Jo."

Vaikea Aika

2009-11-03T13:11:00.000-08:00

This book is written in Finnish and so is the inscription. I had a heck of a time translating it, and I still couldn't figure out two words. So, if there is any Finnish people out there that can help me, please let me know the translation of the words, "asakseni" and "thanat".

Inscription reads: "15.8.1971. Kiitos kaikesta ystavallisyydesta, mita olen asakseni saanut. Thanat muistot jaa taalta! Tervetuloa Suomeen! Martta Pihlaja"

Translation: "Thank you for all the kindness, from what I asakseni received. Thanat share your memories here! Welcome to Finland! Martta Pihlaja"

e-mail from God For Teens

2009-11-02T19:07:00.000-08:00

It looks like the inscription page provided by the publishers was filled out by the recipient and the giver of this book. I would hope that an adult would know how to spell Easter.

Inscription reads: "Presented to: Emily Sunken. Presented by: Adele - momcat. Date: Ester 2001."

Buy the Book New: E-Mail from God for Teens (E-Mail from God Series)

Classic Christianity

2009-11-01T13:12:00.000-08:00

I find an overwhelming number of inscriptions in religious books. It almost feels like too many sometimes. Here is another. Sometimes I wish I would find books about occult with inscriptions. Or maybe a deck of Tarot cards with a personal message.

Inscription reads: "I pray you find the freedom in Christ in these pages as I have...Viki"

Buy the Book New: Classic Christianity: Life's Too Short to Miss the Real Thing

God Can Do It Again

2009-10-31T17:56:00.000-07:00

This is such a simple inscription, but it is so sweet; a book from a kid to his Grandma. I wonder if "Dennie" actually bought this book though.

Inscription reads: "To Grandma. From Dennie"

Buy the Book New: God Can Do It Again

I Want Somebody to Know My Name

2009-10-30T06:57:00.000-07:00

Since this book is inscribed by the author and not to any particular person, I wonder if she just signed a bunch of books without any one person in mind.

Inscription reads: "God loves you. You are special and He knows your name. Cathy Meeks"

Stories for the Extreme Teen's Heart

2009-10-29T07:00:00.000-07:00

A few years ago I was browsing through the sale books at Barnes & Noble when I found a journal with brightly colored neon pages. It was so pretty and the price was $1, so I decided to get it. There was a watermark on the pages with the stamp, "XFJ", but it was so faint that I decided it wouldn't distract me when I was using the journal. I had the journal for a few months when I came to an insert in the middle of the book that was for other products in the same series. It turns out that the "XFJ" stood for Extreme For Jesus.

Seeing as this particular book is aimed at teens and is in the same genre as those "Chicken Soup for the Soul" books, I guess my journal was also aimed at teens. Apparently some marketing people think that adding the word extreme to religious products will make them more appealing to young adults.

Inscription reads: "2001. To Emily. With lots of love, Mom. Belongs to: Emily Sunken"

The Chapel Hymnbook

2009-10-28T06:44:00.000-07:00

The thing I remember most about going to church is all the voices singing together, some loud and some soft, and almost all of them off-tune and a little squeaky. Someone gave a hymnbook as an inscribed gift. When I was little I probably would have cherished this very much.

For some reason, the Schafer's, who gifted this book to Heather, wrote two separate inscriptions.

Inscription #1 reads: "To Heather Jones, Congratulations on your graduation from eighth grade. Best wishes! Love, Glenda and Don Schafer."

Inscription #2 reads: "Dear Heather, Jesus is the best friend you will ever find. He is the only friend who will never let you down. We wish you all the best for your future. Schafers."