The Birds

Part of being a writer is that I am also a reader and, I must admit that I have a problem. I love books. I have a bookshelf that is two rows deep and stuffed full. I also have boxes. Many of the books are short story compilations from all eras and genres, but mostly horror and mystery. Not all of them fit on the shelf.

My biggest problem related to books is used book stores. I go into them and come out with a bag full of books for five or ten dollars and no more room in my library.

The other day I saw a Tom Clancy book about Special Forces. I did not have enough money to buy it so I had to come back the next day. I ended up spending five dollars and getting four more books on top of the Clancy.

Yes, I have a problem.

I found an old Alfred Hitchcock book in my collection. I opened it up and there was the story called “The Birds” by Daphne du Maurier. The story that the famous movie was made from. What a treasure! I drank up the story (which is short, by the way – just like I write) and then reflected on the genius. It was such a great story and yet all people know is about the movie because Mr. Hitchcock was a genius in his own right and in his own profession.

I just wanted to share that little piece of story because so often we do not know what we have in our own closets and bookshelves. We are oblivious to our collections of whatever we may be collecting. I know because I have a few collections; namely: Coke memorabilia, coins and books.