One of my New Year's resolutions is to read at least one book a season this year. And I need to hold myself accountable to someone. For my winter book I decided to read my grandma Pew's favorite book. And you guys, this lady has read probably hundreds of books- good books. So to say that this is her favorite is saying a lot. It's so good, in fact, that once it went out of publication, my grandma (I don't know how old she was at the time) got a copy from the library and typed it up, word for word, so that she could have her own copy! These suckers go for a pretty penny now. ($600 for a new copy!!!) Thankfully her kids got her a real copy one year as a gift. (I'm assuming a used and less expensive one...) And that's the copy I read.
I also decided to have a random bookmark for each book I read. This is what I found on the shelf. A feather. It's weird but it adds to my experience.
So I finished the book the other night.
Oh my. Heck.
First of all, the writing was amazing. It flowed and sang and painted- truly painted. It was beautiful and lyrical. But not too poetic. I don't know how people can write like that. It blows me away- so far, far away.
But then this book ! ! ! ! It had such an unexpected turn! I about died! It was so intense that I had to stop reading and I felt in shock. I got so emotional. Buck came home and I kept trying to talk to him about it but I couldn't bring myself to. I was too involved. Finally I started getting the words out and I began to SOB. I was crying so hard! So Buck sent me to the bedroom to have some time alone. (haha) I laid on the floor and I just cried and cried! haha! And no, it's not even my time of the month, I was honestly just that affected by this book.
Mind you- this isn't the first book I've cried during, about, or because of. I really get into what I'm reading. And I know that I'm not the only invested and teary eyed reader out there. But every emotional book I read is such a different experience. And this one hit me HARD. I was trying to talk to my grandma about it yesterday and I still felt too much to say anything.
It's kind of funny too- it took me three weeks to read 100 pages and then one day (Friday) to read well over 100. It's not that I wasn't into the book- I loved it from the first sentence. But it was hard to start back the habit of reading a book, of making that a priority. My time is all full, everyday- I manage to have something to clean if nothing else to do. So I had to plan it out and want it. And then yesterday that part of me that I was trying to find emerged and I couldn't put the book down. June watched more shows than normal and I gave her a tub of frozen limeade to shave away at with a spoon (she's obsessed with this) and I never made dinner, I was an emotional wreck, and a few important tasks for the day went undone. So maybe it's best if I don't let my mind go wander across the pages and skies of ink everyday. But I don't feel bad at all doing it some days. :)
So my favorite types of books are historical fiction. (although I'm open to all kinds) For my Spring book I'm looking for something happy. Any suggestions? (and I already got my Summer book pre-ordered... yesss)

7 comments:
Too true about checking out when you get lost in a book...but then I start using that as an excuse to spend more time in it... "I've got to read it all now! If I let it drag on I'll lose more days!" ;) That's sound logic, right?
You never told me what you thought of the end!!!
You never told me what you thought of the end!!!
Now you have me curious. I guess I need to find a copy somewhere to read.
Children of the promise is my favorite historical fiction series. My latest favorite is an actual true story called Unbroken - by laura hildenbrand or something. WWII POW story that is crazy unbelievable, so so so awesome. I hope you read it if you haven't already. -Dayna
I just read Moon Over Manifest. It is technically a children's book but I loved it! It is a historical fiction book about the town of Manifest. I think that you will LOVE it. It is an easy read (obviously since it's a children's book) but very engaging.
Well, now you know why Grandma loves it so much! I had the same reaction to the book...such beautiful writing! And I sobbed over it too. I've read it more than once and every time I read it I find something else about it that strikes me, depending on where I'm at in life. The last time I was SO impressed with how the dad taught his son what it is to be a good man...probably because I have all boys. The other thing I think about it is...how can someone write so beautifully AND be able to draw like that?! So unfair to have that much talent in one person! (But I think that about you, too.) I tracked down a copy of the book for "only" $79 and bought it a few years ago so I have my own copy too. :) Historical fiction is also my favorite genre. I love Children of the Promise series (I think Grandma has them all). Also I really like a series called the Williamsburg series by Elswyth Thane...ask Grandma; she knows about them too. They are also a little hard to find, though. A lot of the Newberry winners are historical fiction and good (Moon Over Manifest is a Newberry I believe). My absolute favorite is The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare. She also wrote The Witch of Blackbird Pond which is another good one. Good luck!
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