I had the advantage of growing up among books too! My mother read to us on the homestead outside Homer Alaska. Black Beauty, Burrhead's Confessions, The Good Earth just a few I remember. There wasn't any other form of entertainment. No electricity and the expensive batteries were saved for the few occasions we listened to the radio.
After my father 'proved up' on his land and had the deed in his hand we moved back to Louisiana were my cousin's grandfather had a library in his home that was better than the public library.
I had free access to all of those tomes. I read everything Mark Twain ever wrote, including his notes that some University in California now possesses. All of the Tom Sawyer stories, Tom Sawyer Detective, Tom Sawyer Abroad, The Story of Adam and Eve, my favorite short story of his The Invalid's Tale, I can't read that today without breaking down laughing.... Ole Doc's library was an amazing place.
BUT!
Having a Kindle is incredible! I can carry around a whole library and have access to countless volumes. I was looking through my own library the other day and noticed how the pages of favorite books were beginning to yellow and deteriorate with age. Electronic storage may prevent the loss of the next Library of Alexandria.
Oh, what the world lost with that tragic event.
CARRY ON!
Hey! not too many lament the loss of the Great Library in Alexandria. One can only dream what incredible things were housed there. Must have been a fascinating childhood. Would be fun if you would post some stories about that life. I live just a few miles from Virginia City in Nevada where Twain hung out for a few years. He is kind of a local myth/legend. Peace, brother.