This Week's Topic: In the movie Groundhog Day, Bill Murray has to relive the same day over and over. What books would you pick to read over and over for the rest of your life?
On the rare occasion when I have no new books or library books to read, these are the books I turn to:
I'll always remember the first time I read The Sisterhood of The Traveling Pants, and the moment I realized that I could relate to every character in the novel. That was one of the first times I've ever connected with a book on that level, and oh my gosh, it was such a relief. Here were four teenage girls going through things I went through and feeling things I felt, and it was like someone was telling me, "Hey, it's ok. You're not crazy to feel the things you feel. Just human." As I read through the series, I felt as though I grew up with these girls.
I can read this book over and over again because I'm a mixture of Lena, Tibby, Carmen, and Bridget all wrapped into one, and reading their stories often feels like reading and remembering my own.
This is one of those books that I find it so difficult to talk about because of how much it means to me. I honestly don't know how to explain what I experienced--and still experience--as I read it, but I'll do my best. This was the exact book my teenage self needed to read, and gosh, I recognized that as I read it the first time. Macy is me. There are differences, of course; for example, I'm definitely not a runner. But, I still understand why she runs. It's why I write and dance. Her desire for perfection and her grief also ring true for me, even if I wish they didn't.
I'm talking in present tense because I'm still, figuratively speaking, a runner, I'm still a perfectionist, and I still experience grief. That's why I can read this book over and over again. We don't know Macy when she's nineteen, but I'd imagine she's quite similar to my nineteen-year-old self. She's matured, but the sixteen-year-old girl is still inside of her. Much like The Sisterhood of the Traveling of Pants, rereading this book is like reliving my life, and I can still feel so many of the feelings I felt when I was sixteen.
What book would you read over and over again for the rest of your life?
8 comments:
lovely choices! these books are both on my TBR pile and i cant wait to read them. they sound wonderful :)
I <3 Sarah Dessen! I'd probably pick KEEPING THE MOON, but THE TRUTH ABOUT FOREVER is definately one of my favorites. And pants are fun too.
Oh the sisterhood books are SUPER fun. Excellent choices. YAY!!! By the Way--- you have a very pretty layout-- I love it!
I haven't read either of those. If they're good enough to read forever and ever, then they should be on my TBR list. Adding them!
Excellent choices - I just picked up my first Sarah Dessen book since my students LOVE her. Now I'm excited!
Sisterhood-- a great one, and Sarah Dessen does such a stellar job, again and again. She is solid.
I'm glad someone else mentioned Sarah Dessen. The Truth About Forever is definitely one of her best!
Hey Bri,
I'm just dropping in to say I miss your posts and there's something for you at my blog :)
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