What I'm Reading Right Now — and Memories of My Mum

I’ve loved books since I was little. As a child I started with the classics — Tales of the Little Dog and Cat or Dášenka, or the Life of a Puppy by the Čapek brothers. And plenty of fairy-tale books too.

From about first grade I also had a library card, and later came the real adventure — the Foglar boys’ books and so much more.

Mum — my greatest inspiration

But the deepest love of reading I saw at home. With my mum.

She worked at a hospital, often doing twelve-hour shifts — and even when she was exhausted, a book was never far from her side. I remember her sometimes falling asleep in the bath with a book still in her hands. 🙂

She read everything — from Vlasta Javořická to the romance novels everyone called “Harlequins” back then. I had no idea what those were about at the time, but I saw her passion. She gave me, among many things, the greatest gift of all: a love of reading.

That feeling of not being able to wait to find out what happens next has stayed with me my whole life.

A dream come true — my own bookcase

For years I dreamed of having my own bookcase. Today we have one at home — smaller than I’d imagined, but completely full! And I owe it to my husband. I spotted it on Facebook Marketplace and he cheerfully drove over with my mum to pick it up while I was at work.

It holds old books that belonged to my mum, and we keep adding more. 🙉🙈 It’s more than a piece of furniture to me — it’s a dream made real.

Our home bookcase and what I'm currently reading

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So what am I reading right now?

Two books at once — do you do that too?

Long Trails (Christine Thürmer) — This woman has walked 45,000 kilometres! I’m not planning anything like that myself, but her tips and experiences are absolutely fascinating. 🥾🌍

Staying Healthy with the Seasons (Elson M. Haas) — A lucky find from a second-hand bookshop that bridges Eastern traditions and modern medicine. 🌿🍎

One book lives on my bedside table and the other sits in the living room ready for a quiet evening with tea.

I’m also working through the magazine Receptář, because I love growing vegetables, houseplants and herbs. 🌱🙂

Second-hand bookshops are disappearing…

My mum read almost until her final days, as long as she was able. I’m sure I’ll never tire of it either. Books are my escape, my relaxation and a source of wisdom — just as they were for her.

By the way, you can find real treasures in second-hand bookshops! Sometimes I come across books that look brand new, still in their original wrapping.

After about thirteen years, the second-hand bookshop in our town is closing. Another one, in a nearby town, is shutting down after fifteen years. The Levné knihy discount bookshop in our area has already closed. And every day I read online about more bookshops closing across the country.

I don’t know if I’m imagining it, but it feels like fewer and fewer people are reading books — and that’s a shame.

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What about you? Which book had the biggest impact on you as a child? And what are you reading right now? Write to me — I love finding new inspiration. 🙂👇📚