My Marriage to Books
If I were completely honest with myself, I would say that my passion for reading and for books has dwindled drastically over the past few years.
I still love books and I still can say with certainty that I love to read, but I find myself trapped by expectations not being met or standards being lowered.
So when I fall in love with a book, it's a forever kind of deal. Like a marriage of sorts.
I wed thee, [insert name of amazing book here]. And then we live happily ever after.
On that list, at the top of my head is:
1. The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley
2. Abhorsen Trilogy by Garth Nix
3. The Darkangel Trilogy by Meredith Ann Pierce
4. Ender's Game and Ender's Shadow by Orson Scott Card
5. American Gods by Neil Gaiman
6. The Giver by Lois Lowry
7. Alanna: the First Adventure by Tamora Pierce
8. Beauty: a retelling of Beauty and the Beast by Robin McKinley
9. The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein (or anything by that man)
Other than American Gods and Ender's Shadow, I've read them more times than I can count.
Both Beauty and Alanna were rented from my elementary school library numerous times. And then The Giver, The Blue Sword, the Darkangel Trilogy and Ender's Game were read in junior high. I didn't get to Ender's Shadow, The Giving Tree and American Gods until recently.
It makes me happy to read a book that I feel indebted to for inviting me into such a special world.
Recently, I listened to an audiobook. First time.
I fell in love.
I'm adding it to this list.
It's called The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman. The intended audience is around 10 years old but trust me when I say that this book is timeless and that this book is a great read for anyone.
There's just so much about the book that makes me regret finishing it. I didn't want it to end even though I wanted to know the ending. The characters were warm and inviting, hilarious and fascinating. The world of the cemetery against the backdrop of the real world was a beautiful and sad contrast. The qualms of life, the little adventures that we all have as we grow up and the mindset that we struggle to hold onto as we grow up--I completely related to it.
I'm getting married again! This time, to The Graveyard Book. I'll buy both the hardcopy and the audio book and one day, if I have children, I'll share it with them. It made me smile, laugh, fear and all of those feelings and adventures--I want others to experience it too. It's that kind of book.
I still love books and I still can say with certainty that I love to read, but I find myself trapped by expectations not being met or standards being lowered.
So when I fall in love with a book, it's a forever kind of deal. Like a marriage of sorts.
I wed thee, [insert name of amazing book here]. And then we live happily ever after.
On that list, at the top of my head is:
1. The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley
2. Abhorsen Trilogy by Garth Nix
3. The Darkangel Trilogy by Meredith Ann Pierce
4. Ender's Game and Ender's Shadow by Orson Scott Card
5. American Gods by Neil Gaiman
6. The Giver by Lois Lowry
7. Alanna: the First Adventure by Tamora Pierce
8. Beauty: a retelling of Beauty and the Beast by Robin McKinley
9. The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein (or anything by that man)
Other than American Gods and Ender's Shadow, I've read them more times than I can count.
Both Beauty and Alanna were rented from my elementary school library numerous times. And then The Giver, The Blue Sword, the Darkangel Trilogy and Ender's Game were read in junior high. I didn't get to Ender's Shadow, The Giving Tree and American Gods until recently.
It makes me happy to read a book that I feel indebted to for inviting me into such a special world.
Recently, I listened to an audiobook. First time.
I fell in love.
I'm adding it to this list.
It's called The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman. The intended audience is around 10 years old but trust me when I say that this book is timeless and that this book is a great read for anyone.
There's just so much about the book that makes me regret finishing it. I didn't want it to end even though I wanted to know the ending. The characters were warm and inviting, hilarious and fascinating. The world of the cemetery against the backdrop of the real world was a beautiful and sad contrast. The qualms of life, the little adventures that we all have as we grow up and the mindset that we struggle to hold onto as we grow up--I completely related to it.
I'm getting married again! This time, to The Graveyard Book. I'll buy both the hardcopy and the audio book and one day, if I have children, I'll share it with them. It made me smile, laugh, fear and all of those feelings and adventures--I want others to experience it too. It's that kind of book.