I had one too! It probably wasn't the same one, but at 12 I started my day by slipping a gardening guide in one pocket, and a bird guide in the other.
Books on horse husbandry were usually devoured in the half-hour or so before lights-out.

Bet growing up in your household was fun; Dad had the book-learning, and your Mum defied it all and pretty much just said, let it grow.

Thanks for the trip down Memory Lane.