Now, I have read some really great books lately. I mean some real page turners! (This is the place where I tell you that if you have not read
The Hunger Games , you absolutely must as soon as possible!) However, it has been a while since I have read anything that moved and inspired me (rather that simply entertaining me!) Don't get me wrong, I love to be entertained, but I also need to be moved by what I'm reading (at least some of the time).
Reflecting on the current inspiration-less state of my reading has led me to think about the different books I have read over the course of my life from which I have learned an invaluable lesson. I am talking about books that have changed my life (and if you haven't read them, might possibly change yours.)
Anne of Green Gables:
I read this book as a young child, and it resonated so deeply with me. You see, I was a bit too imaginative for most of the other kids at my elementary and I spent a lot of time alone and a lot of time being made fun of (until the 4th grade when
Becky quickly and steadfastly became my best friend, but that's another blog for another day). When I read
Anne of Green Gables for the first time, I found (to borrow a phrase from the book itself) a kindred spirit. I felt such a deep connection to the girl who loves nature (that's me) loses herself in a pretend world for hours (me again) and who wants little else in the world than to make it more beautiful for others. Anne's silly misadventures, frequent miscommunications, and spropensity for mishaps seemed to echo my own. I learned a lot from the Anne-Girl (as she is often called in the book). I learned to look for the bright side in every situation; I learned to accept myself for all my quirkiness (and that someday, someone will love me not in spite of but because of these traits). I also learned to be comfortable in my own skin.
The Little House on the Prairie Series:
I could go on and on and on about these books. I read them cover to cover, in order, and as soon as I finished the last one, if I had nothing more tempting to read, I would start the series over again. I learned a lot from these books, too. The main character, Laura, was kind and considerate (good traits to learn) but those were not her defining characteristics. She was first and foremost an independent young woman. She took care of herself, she took care of her family, and (while respectful of authority) she had no problem forging her own way in the world. I learned the most from her independence. I am, perhaps, independent to a fault, but it has served me well in my nearly 30 years. I know how to take care of myself, I feel confident taking on any adventure life throws at me, and I am rarely daunted into giving up on a dream/goal/pursuit. At a time when such independence was not valued in a woman, Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote in such a way that encouraged and fostered independence in her young readers.
A Little Princess:
Now, despite popular belief, this book does not act as a proponent of self indulgence or spoiling. Instead, it offers insight into what life might be like if one lost all that was familiar. In this classic by Frances Hodgson Burnett, a young woman must first adapt to life in London rather than India, then the loss of her father and all of her fortune. Sara has every reason to whine, complain, and give up. However, she takes everything in stride. She cries, she mourns, but she does not allow it to dampen her spirit entirely. Sure, she has her momentary pity-parties (honestly, don't we all?) but they do not comprise the majority of her thoughts or actions. She goes about her work as diligently and cheerfully as possible, she cares deeply for others who suffer as much if not more so than she does, and she never loses hope. I am so thankful I read this book as a young girl because there were times (even in my young life) that I could have worried only about myself and my problems instead of looking around to see how I might lighten the burden of another. I often found myself thinking of this book when I was tempted to wallow in my own pain and misery. This is the kind of princess that more little girls today should try to emulate.
An Old Fashioned Girl:
I realize I am getting quite long winded about these books, so I'm going to make it shorter and sweeter. This Alcott book changed my life when I was in high school. It was, of course, well beneath my reading level, but I read it anyway.
And then I read it again. And again. The main character, Polly Milton, was the most optimistic, kindhearted, selfless young woman. The lesson I took away from the book is simply this: When you are miserable, sad, upset, or hurt, the best thing you can do is go out and try to find a way to make the life of someone else better in any way you can. Helping others and keeping busy are the best ways to overcome the impulse of wallowing in self pity.
The Kite Runner:
I skipped a lot of years and books between
The Kite Runner and
An Old Fashioned Girl. In a future post, I might go back and fill in the gaps (I might also write about the books I hate(d) and why. . .but that's another post for another day). As for this novel, I do not think I will ever recover from reading it; nor do I want to. That book changed my life. The plot was moving -- the characters real, gritty, and honest. In one of the pivotal moments, one character tells the protagonist, "There is a way to be good again." It turned out that the way to be good again required facing fears and throwing aside selfish desires for the sake of another. I want to be the kind of person who faces her fears and throws aside selfish desire and ambitions. I am fascinated by stories of redemption, and this is one of the truest redemption stories I have ever read.
I have been working on this post for weeks, but just now had the time to finish it. I hope you enjoy it! Feel free to read/disagree/agree or open a dialogue about these books!
:)
