“We read to know that we are not alone”- C.S. Lewis
Books are a gateway to universes we could never imagine encountering. They allow us to open our imagination and dream big. They come in many shapes and sizes; some are good books, some are torture to read, and others become beautiful, life-changing stories. Most importantly, these last ones are books written in such a deliciously devastating way, that they manage to stir something deep within us. Have you read any of these books?
The Book Thief, by Markus Zuzak, is an example of these kinds of books. The Book Thief is a historical fiction that follows Liesel Meminger growing up with a foster family in Nazi Germany. At the beginning of the novel, Liesel suffers the death of her brother and the departure of her mama, forcing her to find solace in stolen books. Later, as Liesel learns the harsh circumstances of the war, the world she once knew begins to fade. Written from the perspective of Death, The Book Thief tells a heart-breaking, captivating, and gorgeously written story so beloved it’s considered a modern classic
For me, the most memorable scene in this book was ironically the saddest. It was at the end, when a bomb hit and everyone died. Although it was extremely sad, I found that it allowed me to appreciate the story and my blessings more.
Another book filled with countless lovable characters is The Outsiders, by S.E Hinton. It tells the story of a gang of greasers in the 1960s who have, and always have had, a rivalry with the Socs. One day, Ponyboy Curtis and his friends are jumped by a band of Socs, and they commit a terrible mistake that causes them to flee. As it spirals into a stunning coming-of-age story, this novel addresses issues between the division of social classes, urging us to remember that no matter where we come from, we can all ‘see the sunset real nice’.
The best part of this book, for me, were the first and last sentences because they were the same, yet had entirely different meanings: “When I stepped out into the bright sunlight from the darkness of the movie house, I had only two things on my mind: Paul Newman, and a ride home.”
I think that the best part about being a reader is that you get to experience thousands of lives before you die one day. But the saddest thing is knowing that I never actually got to live them. Somehow, though, these characters become part of who I am, and follow me wherever I go.
Sometimes we find ourselves in the pages of a book looking for those things we cannot find in the real world. And the best part is that we always unexpectedly find them.
Your turn! What is your favorite book? Leave me a comment here.