Two Cool Resources

Little did I know when I waxed eloquent on my wonderful little book of telling me how things were done or used in the past that that book was only the tip of the iceberg to come my way! 

In a move that I can only describe at Providential, two books came into my possession in the past few days that not only contain great information, but they apply specifically to the time period I am currently writing a novel about! How cool is that?! 

First, I discovered on my best friend’s bookshelf a reproduction of the 1908 Sears Roebuck Catalog. What an incredible resource! Descriptions—and pictures!—of everything from furniture to clothing to farm tools to transportation needs. Wow! 

As if that wasn’t exciting enough, last night my daughter received an early graduation gift from my mother’s cousin. It is a 1905 copy of The White House Cookbook. This huge volume has not only recipes from the time, but butchering information, home remedies, household tips, entertaining and etiquette advice and so much more! 

For a novel that revolves around a home in 1918, these two sources will add so much texture to the story. And that fact that they both just dropped in my lap makes me think I’m on the right track, too!