Cozy Reading Update and Throwing Away Books

[@kathy5706]

I read somewhere one time about using it was either cornstarch or baby powder to clean up books that have developed a scent. You may want to check it out online to see if your books can be salvaged. I’m glad your kitty is more important than your books. Many years ago my dog peed on books that were on the bottom shelf of a sofa table, and I think I did use corn starch to clean them up. It was Anne Morrow Lindberg’s series. He is long gone and today when I look at them I think how much I loved my little doggy. It isn’t important now.

[@zombieprincess82]

Poor Josie, hope she's on the mend. Sorry to hear about your books. Shame about the Pride & Prejudice cosy, I won't rush to get that one!

[@monica_has116lentilsand2cats]

I hope Josie is responding well to the antibiotics and the „rogue peeing“ will be over soon. As regretful as throwing out beloved books is - sometimes that‘s just what has to happen (speaking from experience…). We ended up getting plastic boxes (wipeable!) for the bottom shelves and keep magazines and odd sized books in there. Not so pretty. But very practical. 😉🐾🐾 For the book(s) you want to keep: I sprayed some Febreeze (the one they make for pet stains/smells) onto an old pillowcase, filled it with dry rice, put a book in it and left it in a well ventilated area. Changing the rice and respraying as needed. That really helped. Just in case you want to try saving a couple of your favorites. Love your videos! Lots of love from tiny-town Austria, Monica ❤🐾🐾

[@GinaStanyerBooks]

Thanks for the tips Monica! ❤️

[@Melanie220]

Oh, no! Not your Gladys Tabers! I have found two or three over the years at thrifts, but you can probably find replacements online much quicker, as I'm sure you know! My mother absolutely loved Gladys, going way back to her monthly columns in one of the women's magazines--Ladies Home Journal or Good Housekeeping, I think. Or possibly Woman's Day? Anyway, she loved the Stillmeadow books, and Conversations with Amber, which I also love. One of the books I found while thrifting was actually a signed Stillmeadow book, which my mother luckily didn't already have so I gave it to her for Christmas. I inherited her book collection when she passed, and of course the Gladys Tabers are among my favourites! ❤ I'm very glad the vet found out what was wrong with your little house panther and that it's something that can be cured!

[@amy8458]

So sorry about Josie and your books Gina. The Right Sort of Man series is going on my TBR. I've read three books so far this month Mansfield Park which I five stared a Harlequin romantic suspense and a a cozy fantasy that were both four stars. Currently I'm reading a Christmas romance.

[@GinaStanyerBooks]

Hi Amy. You’re doing Christmas in July! I was thinking about rereading Winter Solstice but I just don’t think I’ll have time to get to it. Glad to hear you loved Mansfield Park.

[@booksimnotreading]

Gina, dear, so great to see your smiling face and hear about what you’re reading. 💛

[@GinaStanyerBooks]

@@booksimnotreading good morning sunshine 🌞

[@circa1890]

At the very least, take photo copies or high resolution photos of the books.. My kitty started having issues at age 12 but actually continued to live (happily) till 19 years old.. Big hugs to Josie! 🥰

[@GinaStanyerBooks]

Thank you!

[@elizabethdoran7626]

Spray them with white vinegar and when dry sprinkle bicarb sida between the pages,then eucalyptus and lavender i couldnt throw away my favourites omgosh

[@GinaStanyerBooks]

Thanks for the tips!

[@CorinneHSmith]

Sorry that kitty is having challenges. It's not a comfortable situation for anyone, for her or for you. For the books: If some haven't been DIRECTLY affected, you might try boxing them up with kitty litter for some time. The litter can draw out the odor. This is a librarian trick to get rid of smoking smells of donated books. Maybe worth a shot in your case. Also, dust jackets can be wiped front and back with regular cleaners, like Pine Sol or Fantastic. Good luck to all!

[@martham9980]

Love your hair at this length!

[@GinaStanyerBooks]

Thanks so much!

[@spreadbookjoy]

Oh no Gina! Poor kitty as well. I have to keep my curtains closed on bright days for part of the morning, even though I moved my shelves to the other end of the room - I get paranoid about the sunlight!

[@GinaStanyerBooks]

Hi Jack! Yeah, I really think I need to move some books around.

[@denaj6711]

I wonder if baking soda would work, maybe sprinkled on the books in a bin and put in the sun.

[@MarilynMayaMendoza]

Hi Gina, so sorry about your books and especially hoping your kitty is feeling better. I had a UTI last year and it’s very painful. I hope you can save your books. Aloha friend.

[@GinaStanyerBooks]

Thanks MMM ❤️

[@LaurieInTexas]

I'm sorry Josie is having health issues. I can relate to having an elderly cat with a similar issue. My old girl is gone now, so I hope Josie gets better. At least you only have one irreplaceable book.

[@GinaStanyerBooks]

@@LaurieInTexas thanks Laurie.

[@laurac56]

My July reads were: The Winter Sea (Kearsley), Voices in Summer (Pilcher), The Heart of What Was Lost (Williams), and The Children of Green Knowe (Boston). I am presently reading The Way Things Are (Delafield) and The Age of Innocence (Wharton). I have the audiobook Silence of the Grave (Indridason) on hold at the library and should get it shortly. I enjoyed the first one (Jar City) as an audiobook too.

[@punitavisvanathan]

Good morning Gina 🌞. Josie is very lucky to have you ❤. I have had the same problem with my cats over the years including scratching to bits my favourite books😅. I just love sense and sensibility now more than Pride and Prejudice, felt a lot of compassion for the characters, sigh! Aaaargh, I envy your edition of the Kathleen Norris, it's so beautiful!!! I enjoyed retro romance so much because of my Mom ❤. Have a wonderful week Gina, just finished my coffee ☕😅!

[@GinaStanyerBooks]

@@punitavisvanathan good morning! Sounds like we have mornings in common. Coffee and booktube!

[@punitavisvanathan]

@@GinaStanyerBooks ❤️

[@Littlebiglibrary]

Oh my goodness! that has happened to some of my favorite books years ago. I've never mentioned it because I've never heard of anyone else mention it so I thought it was an isolated incident to me. I have headphones on and I kept hearing the pounding so I took off my headphones off then you say it's on the video. Nice video, Thanks for sharing. -James

[@GinaStanyerBooks]

Thanks James. Sorry about the pounding!

[@monikakamila]

Josie is so cute 🥰

[@lizziefayelovesbooks]

Oh no, so sorry to hear that your kitty is sick and also sorry to hear about the book damage. When you said Gladys Taber I really felt bad, because I have only just discovered her and understand that those are not so easy to come by. My friend Sonia loves cozy things and started her channel a few months ago called Sonia With an I. She discovered Gladys Taber and told me about her. I was able to get a few on ebay and I'm finishing The Book of Stillmeadow right now and loving it. I'm glad your Miss Read collection is fine. I'm a Miss Read collector too. Have you ever read the Fairacres series by Effie Leland Wilder? They are adorable and very cozy. I know you like senior characters and you would love them.

[@GinaStanyerBooks]

Hi Elizabeth! I’ve never heard of Effie Wilder but I’ll definitely check her out. You are so right I love my old ladies! Thanks for the recommendation. I’m watching Sonia’s retro romance video right now. I’m happy to find her!

[@lizziefayelovesbooks]

@@GinaStanyerBooks Be sure to watch her recent cozy vlog. It's beautiful!

[@carlaking3459]

From my experiences, you can never rid them of the smell. It might have ruined the bookshelf, too. Try these tips on your irreplaceable book, but i would get rid of the others. Most "things" can be replaced. Esp since you thrift or shop used stores. ❤

[@GinaStanyerBooks]

Yeah, I’ve pretty much given up hope but I may still try a couple of things. But you’re right, it’s just things.

[@lisac1619]

Your poor cat, and those poor books! I use antibacterial wipes on the covers of all my used books when I first bring them home. Gets rid of a lot of the musty smell. I think baking soda would work well for the pages.

[@elizabethaiello3740]

Sorry about Josie and the books! I had a similar problem about a year ago. I Googled and there is a remedy that works. It involves baking soda and a plastic bag and a few weeks of patience. 🙂🐱 also the book Maine is incredible.

[@katnissfire5605]

I hope Josie feels better, and I am sorry about the books. I've never heard of Kathleen Norris adding her to my TBR list.

[@GinaStanyerBooks]

@@katnissfire5605 thank you! She’s feeling much better now that the antibiotics have kicked in 😻

[@rominapalacios1745]

Hello Gina, just have your adorable fury friend fix this. With oxygenated water, let's say, a glass, some teaspoons of baking soda and some drops of Dawn liquid detergent, spray this on the smelling surface, it works wonders, wonders, try it please.

[@janetsmith8566]

Oh, that is tragic! We love our books. And we love our cats. Sometimes books and cats don’t share the same space very well. Tell us which book you’re going to keep in spite of everything! Also, when I saw your title, I thought you were going to talk about when your book gets so old that you know it won’t tolerate much more and it’s time to give it a merciful ending? And what people do about that. Because I always feel horrible! I have come up with a method. Just a thought! Hope Kitty gets better fast!

[@GinaStanyerBooks]

Hi Janet! The one I’m trying to save was Heart if the Home - a gift from a dear friend, that she had enscribed by Susan Branch.

[@liberavitluna8530]

I wonder if running an ozone machine in a room with the books would help?

[@938quilt]

Maybe try one of those pet urine removers. Simple solution I liked when I had dogs but they don’t have that be anymore I don’t think. Or in a bag with open bar of ivory soap.. we used to that with quilt block swaps that smelled like cigarettes

[@GinaStanyerBooks]

Ooooo that’s a good idea. I did gently spray them with an enzyme cleaner spray and I’m hoping that works a bit. But I’ll try the soap trick!

[@938quilt]

@@GinaStanyerBooks have you tried baking soda? I use arm and hammer cat litter that has baking soda and there's no smell... might work for books too

[@alicenwonderreadsbooks]

Oh no! Cat pee is the worst! Poor baby. I hope she is feeling better soon. So sad about your books.

[@susanmyrick2913]

Natures Miracle for cats…if you can work with liquid in small doses per page. I would try. It works great on carpet.

[@cindystuder9090]

Oh poor kitty! I think Gladys Taber would understand if you had to toss her books because of an ill kitty. She did love her own animals so very much.

[@kamicastillo1451]

😢😢😢

[@Katt_Dubbs]

I wonder if the deodorizing granules or sheets meant for books would help? 😢

[@GinaStanyerBooks]

@@Katt_Dubbs I’ll search around! Thanks for the tip.

[@bookingthroughlife]

I have read P&P&Peril and I have a strange liking of it. I think Phaedra is a little strange but for me it’s the same as how I used to feel about Jack in the Box tacos. I don’t understand why I like them but I just do. 😂

[@GinaStanyerBooks]

I really wanted to love it, but it just didn’t grab me. I’m glad you liked!!

[@christinaoldham6614]

Oh, Gina, so sorry about the possibly ruined books but also that your cat is having health issues. I've been through all that with my elderly cats (now sadly gone). It's so hard to watch them go through these troubles, particularly as cats are particularly fastidious. Of what you've lost, I don't ever see Gladys Taber in thrift stores, but I do see Susan Branch, so I'll keep a lookout for replacements for you! 🤗 And, of course, if a Gladys Taber suddenly pops up...

[@GinaStanyerBooks]

Hi Tina! Yeah, it’s been so tough knowing that Josie’s been so uncomfortable. At least they finally figured out what the problem was. Poor little baby.

[@christinaoldham6614]

@@GinaStanyerBooks Oh, and on a side note, I've never read Kathleen Norris either but seem to have 5 of her books on my Kindle! Not the one you're reading (very pricey online with that beautiful dust jacket) but I'll probably try her soon. We're traveling, so lots of reading is getting done. Just finished Uncle Paul by Celia Fremlin tonight and just loved it. Thanks for the motivation toward Norris.

[@glendaslanina9939]

Books are replaceable. Your precious Josie is far more important. Take time with Josie, get her well and enjoy the time you have left with her. Pets are our family, books are our possessions 🐈‍⬛

[@vesch5083]

Sorry about your books. Maybe think of it as a fun treasure hunt to replace them.

[@theresas709]

Baking soda really works with getting rid of smells in carpet. Sorry about your books. 🙁

[@janetsmith8566]

How long do you leave it on? It didn’t work for me! Maybe I did it wrong?

[@theresas709]

@@janetsmith8566 Are you trying to get out a stain or just smell? A couple of hours for smell. Heavy soda then vac. You may have to scrub it in.

[@janetsmith8566]

⁠it’s smell only- I’ll do it thicker and rub it in this time. Thanks!

[@eileennielsen5165]

EEWW! Gina! I'm soooo sorry so many books got ruined. Did she just climb up and pee on the shelves? I know you said she has e coli, but wouldn't a cat go in a litter box instead of climbing up abookcase? I don't know ANYTHING about cats, I'm a dog person. A matter of urgency w/E coli? You're not going to believe this! Just before I turned on u-tube, I said to myself:" Gina better be there!" And there you were!! Incredible! I'm telling the truth! Guess what book I finished about 2 hrs. ago? The Shell Seekers. I really enjoyed it, but at times it was a wee bit confusing going back and forth between time periods. I do think Winter Solstice was better. My first Pilcher and so far my favorite. I will read September in September!😋 I think I might have all her bks. now, not sure. I'm sick for you over your books😑

[@GinaStanyerBooks]

Hi Eileen. Normally cats just pee on the floor, but for some reason Josie points her hind end up and so it went all over the books. I’ve never had a cat do this before!

[@LindyS1830]

Thank you for worrying more about Josie than shelf and books. Some wouldn’t. My pets are more important than possessions. Sorry about your favorite books.