edit: Oh the embarrassment! I was so excited to share this story, that I published it a day early. Shelf Control is a Wednesday feature by Literary Potpourri; I'll get it right next week!
Shelf Control is a weekly feature hosted by Literary Potpourri to discuss unread books sitting in our to-be-read piles.
One spring, when I was a young teen, I borrowed Kon-Tiki by Thor Heyerdahl* from my teacher's classroom library. Kon-Tiki is the recounting of the 1947 journey taken by Heyerdahl and five companions, as they travelled across the Pacific Ocean on a balsa log raft. Their trip from Peru to the Polynesian island of Puka Puka took them 4,300 nautical miles and three months. (insert astonished verbalizations here)
I packed this most promising read in a basket along with a snack and a throw rug, and took off through the woods across from my house, ending in the meadow. I sat down on the rug, ate my snack, and enjoyed the sunshine. Then, packed everything up -- book unopened -- went back home and promptly forgot about the book in the basket.
At the end of the school year, I was stunned to get a note from the teacher addressed to Mom, saying that I had never returned Kon-Tiki and must either do so or pay for the replacement. I had no clue where the book was, had forgotten it's very existence, and cried hard over the horror of a lost book. Mom paid up, no problem there, and the incident was dismissed.
Until, that is, I got out that basket over summer break, and discovered the missing book. Imagine my shock, embarrassment, and dismay.
This same copy (see below) has been on my shelves for over thirty years now, waiting to be read. Maybe it's time?
What about you? Have you read Kon-Tiki? Got any books on your TBR with interesting stories?
Though embarrassing at the time, what an interesting and lovely memory to have associated with the book, and how wonderful that you have the same copy! I hadn't come across this before but how exciting a trip from Peru to Polynesia sounds. Hope you enjoy the book.
ReplyDeleteIt is fun to have such a concrete memory associated with a book! (Thanks for the visit!)
DeleteI've added your link to this week's post! https://potpourri2015.wordpress.com/2023/03/08/shelf-control-218-arabella-by-georgette-heyer/
DeleteThanks so much! I was so embarrassed when I realized I'd posted early!
DeleteThat's perfectly fine. I'm often early ot behind on memes and readalong too🙂
DeleteI think we had this book in our house growing up and I was always fascinated by the idea of it. Have not read it though.
ReplyDeleteMy husband says he read it as a preteen and it was memorable. I'm interested to see for myself! (Thanks for the visit!)
DeleteOh, I love this story! So funny you still haven't read it. I hope you do enjoy it when you read it!
ReplyDeleteIt is a funny (though embarrassing) story! (Thanks for the visit!)
DeleteWhat a fun memory! I hope the book is worth the wait when you read it. I've heard of it, but I've never read it, either.
ReplyDeleteIt is funny! (Thanks for the visit!)
DeleteI love Heyerdahl's books! Definitely give Kon-Tiki a whirl -- it is excellent. And fun!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the feedback! I'm really wanting to read it now!
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