Did you ever wonder why humans are so big on collecting things? Like refrigerator magnets, stamps, sports trading cards, coins, Barbie dolls, and salt and pepper shakers? Some of you will now pipe up and say, “Well, gosh, Anne, someday my collection of tiny teacups might be really valuable.” And while that may be, most of what we collect will just provide consternation for those who must clean up after we’re gone.

For me the issue is rocks. Upon entering my living room you’ll see a huge case holding about 400 mineral specimens. Myriad others are scattered in every room of my home. Which has me wondering, again, why some of us are compelled to stockpile things.

I do understand that humans are prewired to collect. Back in our hunter-gatherer days, those who could find nuts and berries and other eatable plants were the stars of our traveling villages, and their skills no doubt led to our survival as a species. But it is those objects that serve no real purpose that had me popping on my thinking cap.

According to the Psychology Today article Collecting: An Urge That’s Hard to Resist, “Around 33 to 40 percent of the American population collects one thing or another. Yet little is known about the mysterious factors that motivate these often-passionate individuals to collect.”

It’s possible that the hunt itself is a contributing factor for collectors. There is a certain exhilaration in scanning that antique shop, honing in on the perfect teapot, and adding it to the fifty you already have at home.

There is also a social aspect to collecting. Often, we seek out others who share our particular passion, as I did recently on a hot Saturday in Arizona. Despite record-breaking temperatures, my fellow rock collectors and I descended into a working copper mine where we hammered away at massive pieces of stone. It was sweaty, dirty work and still there were smiles all around.

“Perhaps their love of objects came first; then, somewhere along the line, they realize there are people like themselves. They may find them independently or join organizations for like-minded people. Friendships forged through these vehicles no doubt expand social lives.”

Then there’s the idea that our desire to collect might be all about a long-lost sensation, something called “anticipation.” (You younger folks can google it.). “(T)he collector’s craving allows her to imagine anything she wants about the desired returns the object will bring. We know that it is in this phase that the pleasure center burns most brightly. Once the prize is obtained, the pleasure center quiets. In other words, the anticipation of the reward is more exciting to our pleasure center than possessing it.”

Perhaps it all comes down to wanting to surround ourselves with beauty, which, as we know, is in the eye of the beholder. In any case, collecting things is a normal human pursuit, despite what my mother used to say when my rocks began taking over my bedroom.

I’ll let my AI friend have the last word. “(Collecting) is a universal behavior driven by the desire to create order, nostalgia, or passion, often providing mental health benefits like joy and social connection.”

Exactly!

THE CASTLE

ANNE MONTGOMERY

Suspense/Thriller

Ancient ruins. Haunted memories. A ruthless predator. Can Maggie survive the ghosts of her past – and the monster hiding in plain sight?

When she returns to her job as a National Park Ranger at “The Castle”—a centuried-old Native American pueblo carved into an Arizona cliff—Maggie hopes the comfort of familiar ground will help her heal. Battling trauma and the grief of unimaginable loss, Maggie’s days are carefully measured, her life held together by the thinnest of threads.

But strange things are happening at the park. A mysterious child appears and vanishes without a trace. And a predator watches her every move, planning his attack.

With the help of friends, fellow survivors, and the land itself, Maggie begins to reclaim her strength. But the danger is closer than she knows, and soon Maggie will have to face a deadly threat… and her deepest fears.

Bookstores, libraries, and other booksellers can order copies directly from the Ingram Catalog.

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Praise for The Castle

“A deftly written and riveting read from cover to cover, “The Castle” effectively showcases author Anne Montgomery’s genuine mastery of the Romantic Suspense genre.” – Midwest Book Review

“A slow burn thriller, mixed in with a touch of mystical realism…A true five-star experience!” – Sara Steven Chick Lit Central

“A beautifully considered, sumptuous novel from a skilled storyteller.” – SaraRose Auburn Writing & Reviews

“This is a novel about good rage, about channeling the injustices of the world around us and fighting to do some good with both words and deeds. Lucky for readers, it was penned by a maestra like Anne Montgomery, so that we got a tense, powerful novel in the bargain too.” – Jennifer deBie-Rosie Amber Book Reviews

“Ms. Montgomery manipulates uncomfortable subjects and dark suspense into a gripping tale with hints of romance and humor carefully guiding readers on an informative journey of survival and self-discovery.“ Tonya Mathenia InD’tale Magazine

“Soul-stirring. A brilliant book…Truly a masterpiece.” – Anu Menon Thought is Free Book Blog

“I was gripped from start to end.” – Katherine Hayward Pérez Just Katherine Blog

“Ms. Montgomery has an almost magical talent to draw the reader into the worlds she creates through her words. Her characters are interesting, vulnerable and strong. While describing the locations in which her books are set, she weaves history with vivid images, immersing the reader in a hard-to-put-down story full of history, beauty and mystery.” – Margaret Millmore Author