CRP's Blog

Inspired by this recent entry for Library Journal’s What We’re Reading column, we asked the CRP staff which book they would rescue from their burning home. Autographed copies and well-loved and dog-eared editions were the ones we’d grab while outrunning the flames. Share with us what book you’d rescue in the comments or on Twitter.  #CRPreads

Ann Patchett is my favorite author. I can’t imagine my life without her, so I would probably grab the old and worn copy of my Patchett gateway drug from so many years back, Bel Canto. —Caitlin Eck, publicity manager

Back in college, I rode from Iowa City to Minneapolis with three friends to see Sufjan Stevens in concert, and I spent the whole drive reading Margaret Atwood’s Cat’s Eye in the backseat. Stevens was touring for his Come On Feel The Illinoise album at the time, and we sang along with every song and then waited for him to come out of his dressing room after the show. When he did, I realized the only thing I had for him to sign was my book, so I red-facedly handed it over. “Oh, I love Margaret Atwood,” he said, flipping through the pages. Then he signed the title page and handed it back, and now it’s the only book I can never part with. —Geoff George, publicist

I moved into a new home last year and I’m still finding places for everything, including what to do with all of my books (there might be 15 boxes, give or take, of books that have yet to find their way onto shelves) but there was that one box of books that I hand carried over and unpacked asap. It’s not going to come as a shock to anyone who knows me or has read my Staff Reads answers, but in that box was a collection of various editions of Good Omens, including a 1996 Corgi edition signed by Neil Gaiman. The Corgi edition was sent to me (unsigned) by a friend’s mom who lived in the UK. She had hooked me up with the UK children’s editions of the first five Harry Potter books (this was in 2005, Half-Blood Prince hadn’t been published yet) and added the Good Omens book as a surprise, knowing that it was my favorite book. Not long after that, I attended my first Neil Gaiman book event and he signed the copy for me and explained his half of the signature and illustration–and how Terry Pratchett would sign and illustrate the other half, were I to meet him. I never had the opportunity, but I have fond memories of that night and having the book signed. It’s the only one I wouldn’t be able to replace. —Mary Kravenas, marketing manager

I would grab my signed copy of J. K. Rowling’s The Casual Vacancy even though I haven’t finished it. I made it halfway through the book before realizing that I only really wanted wizards, but I would still save the book because it was touched by the goddess herself.  —Emily Lewis, editorial and marketing assistant

My dog-eared copy of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (purchased from a book order in fifth grade) is currently in a box at my parents’ house (I hope!) so I couldn’t technically save it from my burning home, but it’s probably my rescue book. I read it at least once a year through college, understanding more about the Nolan family situations and struggles each time. A real growth indicator and touchstone for me. (I also forced my freshman year roommate to read it . . . luckily she liked it.) —Meaghan Miller, senior publicist

I’m grabbing two books. The first would be my signed copy of The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay. The second would be my copy of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-glass. It was my mom’s when she was young, and she wrote her (maiden) name inside. It’s the oldest book I have. —Lindsey Schauer, project editor