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Bedside Books
For anyone who loves books, Bedside Books by Patience Strong is a poem that is easy to relate to. Many of us have favorite books that we return to again and again, especially when we need encouragement, comfort, or simply a few quiet moments away from the concerns of the day.
There is something special about finding just the right words when we need them most. A meaningful passage, an inspiring thought, or a few lines of poetry can lift our spirits and help us look at life from a different point of view. The book itself may be old and familiar, but its words can still speak to us in a new way each time we read them.
Patience Strong beautifully captures this feeling as she writes about the precious books she keeps close by her bedside. Like many of the Famous Poems we treasure, Bedside Books reminds us that words can encourage us, inspire us, and sometimes bring a little light to our darkest days.
Updated August 17, 2026, by Catherine Pulsifer.
Bedside Books
Poet: Patience Strong
My house is full of well-loved books -
They're scattered round the place -
In unexpected corners -
On the shelves and in the case.
But on the table by my bed, I keep a little row -
Of precious books -
My favorite ones -
And when I'm tired I go -
And find some passage that inspires with words like angel wings -
That lift me up above the swirl of petty human things...
A truth from some great poet's pen -
A lovely, lilting phrase -
A message that will spur me on,
And light the darkest days.
Key Messages From Bedside Books
- Books can lift our spirits. A few meaningful words can encourage us when we are tired, discouraged, or simply having a difficult day.
- Favorite books become treasured companions. Some books hold a special place in our hearts because we return to them again and again for comfort, wisdom, and inspiration.
- Words can change the way we look at life. Sometimes all it takes is one thoughtful passage or a few encouraging words to help us see things from a more positive point of view.
- Poetry can bring light to difficult days. Patience Strong reminds us that the right words at the right time can give us hope, encouragement, and the strength to keep going.
- Reading can give us a break from everyday worries. A good book can take our thoughts away from the little troubles of the day and remind us of the good things that still surround us.
- Good words stay with us. A truth or message we discover in a book can remain in our thoughts, encouraging and inspiring us long after we have finished reading.
Popular Pages
If you enjoy the comfort and inspiration that can be found in a favorite book, these pages offer more poems and thoughts about books, reading, and the wisdom found within their pages.
Enjoy more Poems About Books that celebrate the pleasure, wisdom, and inspiration we can discover within the pages of a good book.
Discover Poems About Reading that remind us of the enjoyment, encouragement, and quiet moments a good book can bring.
These Book Quotes share inspiring thoughts about books, reading, and the lasting influence that meaningful words can have on our lives.
Read The Book For All Time, a poem that reflects on the lasting wisdom and guidance we can find within the Bible.
Conclusion
Bedside Books reminds us why certain books become so precious to us. It is not always the book itself that we treasure, but the words within it and how they make us feel. A favorite passage can encourage us when we are weary, give us something positive to think about, or simply bring comfort at the end of a long day.
Perhaps that is why we return to certain books throughout our lives. Their words become familiar friends, ready to offer wisdom, encouragement, and inspiration whenever we need them. May this poem remind you to treasure the books and words that have lifted your spirits and brought a little more light into your life.
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