Hmph. If you ask me, this isn't that brilliant of a final question (so I guess I'm glad I had a different one to answer already tonight!). I suppose, for some people, their favorite book by their favorite author might not necessarily be their favorite book of all time - but for me, it is. Therefore, since it is not necessary for me to repeat myself, since you do not want me to repeat myself, since I do not feel like repeating myself, and since it is late and I am zonkered - I shall refer you to that post, if you happened to forget it - and say: Hooray for the 30-Day Book Challenge!!!
Let's clear something up: I don't really...cry. I mean, I do, but not often. It's not because I don't feel things are sad, but because the tears often just don't come. There have only been three books I can think of at the moment that I've teared up in - and in most of those cases, I was rather emotionally drained, which means I was crying at EVERYTHING anyway.
However, a truly-truly sad book, that I not only teared up in, but actually sobbed through, not just once, but three separate times, was:
This story is awful in the sad sense of the word. I cry through the song, book, and movie. The first time I heard the song, we were on our way to violin lessons in early December, singing along with the Christmas Music station. A beautiful introduction began, and mama, reaching over and turning up the volume, said, "Oh, this is a terrible song," and promptly burst into tears. With such an introduction, Emily and I could not be far behind, and we walked into lessons that day with such red, blotchy faces that our teacher immediately asked in alarm, "Are you girls ok???"
A while later, I came across the book and, as I settled to read it, was taken on along on the heart-wrenchingly sad tale of a little boy - used by God to help a career-obsessive man rethink his priorities - watching his mother die of cancer. I cried. And cried. And cried.
I watched the movie and...the same thing happened. At this point, I don't cry anymore when the song comes on, when I watch the movie (unless I'm already emotionally drained), but the book...I haven't had the courage to read it again. Books, despite their lack of background-music, are usually the one form of "entertainment" that never fails to give me the same emotional response - regardless of how many times I read them. I'm just not sure I'm ready for the drama of re-reading that story...
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"Maggie Andrews had cancer, and the prognosis wasn't good. No wonder Nathan often seemed distracted. He was not old enough to fully understand the situation and probably didn't know that his mother was dying. But some days Doris could see it in the boy's eyes, a terrible sadness she recognized....Sometimes being quiet is the greatest gift you can give someone, Doris thought, as she watched the boy sharpen his pencil, something terribly heartbreaking in the way he struggled to turn the handle. She whispered a silent prayer for God to draw near and wrap the little boy in His arms."
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society - isn't that just one of the most wonderfully-hilarious titles you ever heard of? Sadly, I can give no personal insight into the book, as it is on my "to-read" list, instead of the "have-read" one, but here is Amazon's synopsis for you:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
January 1946: London is emerging from the shadow of the Second World War, and
writer Juliet Ashton is looking for her next book subject. Who could imagine
that she would find it in a letter from a man she’s never met, a native of the
island of Guernsey, who has come across her name written inside a book by
Charles Lamb….
As Juliet and her new correspondent exchange letters,
Juliet is drawn into the world of this man and his friends—and what a
wonderfully eccentric world it is. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie
Society—born as a spur-of-the-moment alibi when its members were discovered
breaking curfew by the Germans occupying their island—boasts a charming, funny,
deeply human cast of characters, from pig farmers to phrenologists, literature
lovers all.
Juliet begins a remarkable correspondence with the society’s
members, learning about their island, their taste in books, and the impact the
recent German occupation has had on their lives. Captivated by their stories,
she sets sail for Guernsey, and what she finds will change her
forever.
Written with warmth and humor as a series of letters, this novel
is a celebration of the written word in all its guises, and of finding
connection in the most surprising ways.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ahhh, yes, I can't wait to read this book! Have you read it? What do you consider the best title a book's ever seen?
Day 27: What is a book with the most surprising plot twist or ending?
I'm sure I wouldn't know. I'm not usually a fan of the genre of books that throws surprising, jerking plot twists in that leave you spinning. I generally read books where at least the emotion - if not the details - of the end is fairly predictable. Maybe that's boring, but it's the truth. The only book I can think of that I positively jumped up-and-down with shock at the direction of the plot was:
Black as Night is the second book in the series I spoke of here, and, of course, I can't really tell you what the plot twist is about! However, the "surprise" speaks volumes about Regina Doman's ability to follow the fairy-tale plot (here, the story of "Snow White") and still keep you guessing. The surprise shouldn't be one; it makes completely logical sense when one keeps in mind the story of Snow White. Yet, I found myself shocked when all the pieces fell together!
It's a story of pain, grudges, estrangement, reconciliation, and forgiveness. Little did Bear know that his hesitancy in reaching out to his father - reaching over innumerable lists of wrongs done and hatred given - could have such devastating implications, not just in his spirit, but in the physical world. From the hilarious seven friars (who take the place of the seven dwarves) to the chilling, inexplicable pursuit of Blanche by the head of the Mirror Corporation, this story keeps you guessing as to what the outcome may be...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Bear,
I was thinking about our last conversation.
I don't know if I told you before that this summer at work I met a man who is dying, and I've been visiting him. He has no visitors except for me. Why? Because he won't forgive the people who hurt him, including his relatives and his sons. Now he's dying alone - well, practically alone. I'm the only visitor he has, and he doesn't seem to be well taken care of, so I've kept visiting him, even though it's sad to be around someone so bound by the past. It's very sad and so senseless. Even terrifying.
All I can think is that I don't want to see you become like this. I don't want to see you hardened, like this man is, by years of unforgiveness.
Not that I want to change you. But it seems that your past has a hold on you. Do you think that maybe you can't find peace and direction in your life because, on some level, you won't forgive?
I can only say this to you because you're my friend. Maybe seeing so much this summer has made me bolder. Or just more anxious that my friends and family don't end up like this man.
I'm sorry if this hurts you. But I thought you should know.
Day 26: What is a book that changed your opinion about something?
I suppose the purpose of this question was to bring out deep theological or philosophical books that changed my opinion on something monumental - but I refuse! The theological or philsophical option, that is - having a good opinion of Charles Dickens is certainly monumental, as far as literature is concerned!
As I have hinted, a book changed my opinion of Charles Dickens' stories. Previously, my only exposure to him had been Oliver, and a vague idea of the lot of A Christmas Carol - and in my mind was made up, from these, that he was rather dismal. Additionally, at the ripe old age of 8, I tried to forge my way through The Pickwick Papers, but after wading through long sentences and allusions I did not understand, I was quite discouraged and set it down. I still had Charles Dickesn, in my mind, as a classic author, and one who wrote well; I just decided that the flavor of his stories were not for me. And thus, I deprived myself of his wonderful works for the first 17 years of my life!
My Aunt and I were wandering through a very crowded Portobello Market in London, when my eye fell upon a table with beautiful, antique books proudly displayed before the seller. Perfect! I wanted to have a special souvenier of this day, and a book seemed the perfect choice! I persued the many titles and authors, before finally deciding on a little, 7 x 4 inch book, David Copperfield, printed in Oxford (where my aunt and I were next bound), and with no copyright date but a penciled inscription in a childish hand:
"from Elsie
Christmas 1919"
I resolved then and there to not only purchase the book as my market-day memnto, but to give Dickens one last, ultimate try by causing myself to read the book in its entirety.
I am so glad I did.
And thus changed my opinion of Charles Dickens - I think him (now) a fabulous author, although I have yet to attempt the reading of Oliver again. I shall not even try to give the synopsis - it is a long and amazingly diverse book of characters, plots, and settings, and it has been several years since I read it - but suffice to say, it is a book that, I think, would hook even a Little on Charles Dickens!
