Tuesday, September 15, 2015

DAY 14 // 5 books that have impacted me

Well, it's 12:00am on Day 15 by the time I'm posting this. I guess I'll have to deal. This is by no means an exhaustive list [REPEAT: BY NO MEANS]. I was tempted to include Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, The Chronicles of Narnia, you know, the usual. All of these have had huge impacts on my life, but I wanted to think a little outside the box for this one. And I really, really was gonna do the Bible (like a lot of you already have), but I decided to slip the Book Thief in there. So, just to clarify, the Bible is so beyond any of these pages of jumbled words listed here, that it deserves it's own list. The Bible will forever be my only truly favorite book, the only book that has the capacity to give me true life, and give it more abundantly.
So, please enjoy!!! Every one of these books means so much to me, and this was such a great post to write. Let me know if any of you have heard of or read any of these and liked or disliked them! Thanks for 40 followers, y'all. ^-^


1 // The Hundred Dresses, by Eleanor Estes
I remember the first time I read this book so distinctly. I was very young. I don't remember how old, but my aunt got it for me. It's really difficult for me to describe the impact it had on me. It's such a thin book full of colors. It's about a girl who wears the same clothes to school everyday and talks about her hundred dresses at home. It's about a girl who's all alone in a crowd full of kids, and eventually, she leaves. It taught me not to go with the crowd, not to miss opportunities, how someone can be taken away from you, and about the importance of reaching out, and so much more. It was a sad book, full of watercolors, and it spoke volumes to me.
2 // Because of Winn Dixie, by Kate DiCamillo
This book is more earthy, doggy, childhood-y. That probably makes no sense if you haven't read it. This book has an openness about it. It makes you want to welcome and love and accept everyone. I shows how once you open yourself up and let others in, you see how bruised and beautiful they really are. It's a real book and it's happy. And there's a big, ugly, wonderful dog in it. I can't tell you how many times I've read it or listened to it on tape. And every time I hear the word melancholy or think of lemon drops or see a tree with bottles hung all in it, I think of Winn Dixie.
3 // Inkheart, by Cornelia Funke
This is the first fiction, fantasy book that I couldn't put down for the life of me. The characters enraptured me, and the story was one I envisioned myself living. The characters were hard, and new, and lovely, and, soft, and cruel, and vulnerable, and so very broken. And again, what always brings me back, is that they were so real. And you felt so much for each of them. Plus those father-daughter relationships just get me. It introduced to me a burning love for fiction and book series and when I read them they still take me back.
4 // To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee
Where in the world do I even begin with this book? This book is everything to me. The characters are like the people I grew up with and know like the back of my hand. I've read it several times and have written two literary analysis' on it. My copy is worn and torn and scribbled in with pen. Those pages hold my heart and I don't know what else to tell you, but go read the stinkin book. If I was forced to choose (with a gun to my head, because honestly that's probably the only way I could choose) my "favorite book", I would have to say this one (that is saying a lot, guys. ok? a lot.)
5 // The Book Thief, by Markus Zusak
This book was like no book I have ever read. I don't know what to say. It's a masterpiece. The characters are so there that you feel the wind knocked out of you when they're hurt. You feel the shock of cold water, the smile tugging at your mouth. You smell the smell of those books and you feel the claws of hunger. You feel the thrill of victory, the punch in the gut, the hot pouring tears, and hard lump in your throat, the kind you can't speak or breathe around. It hurts. And the confusion hurts, and the not knowing, and the knowing, and then it heals and hurts with a deeper, duller ache. It's real and it hurts and it's so, so, so good. It's about the words and the colors and the people and the books, and the pain and beauty of it all. It's set in Germany during WWII. Read it.

14 comments:

  1. Because of Winn-Dixie! I loved reading that book in third grade ^^ I always think of it when I heard the word "melancholy" too haha

    I've seen the To Kill a Mockingbird movie but I'm sure that doesn't count, right? I'm hoping to read the book sometime soon when I have more time. I also want to read The Book Thief as well; it's definitely on my "to-read" shelf on Goodreads.

    O | Life as a Young Lady

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    1. Yes!! Omw you do? Hahahhaha, that is so great. I thought I was the only one!
      You have?! That's awesome! Gregory Peck is bae. Well, the movie is really good, but it just can't compare. A lot had to be cut out for the movie. YAY. You must have good taste- keep them way high up on your list! You won't regret it ^-^

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  2. I really want to read The Hundred Dresses now!! I remember Because of Winn-Dixie, that was a great book.. And I'm reading To Kill a Mockingbird this spring for school, so that's exciting! I love this list of books:) Harry Potter and the Bible go without saying;)

    xoxo
    Grace Anne // http://totallygraced.blogspot.com

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    1. You should ;) If you have access to a library, they probably have a copy!! You are? That's so great!!!!!!!! Let me know when you start it and what you think! I think you'll love it. ;) Thanks so much!!! Oh, and totally.

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  3. BECAUSE OF WINN-DIXIE. have you seen the movie?!?!?!

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  4. Hello! I just stumbled upon your blog, and I think we should be best friends. All of the books you listed also hold a special place in my heart. And The Hundred Dresses!? I thought nobody knew of that gem. Oh, it's beautiful. I've read it twice, and both times I was able to finish it in a day.
    I'm gonna go follow now :)

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    1. YOU'RE KIDDING ME. We totally should. That makes me so happy. ^-^ I don't know many people who have read The Book Thief- what did you think?! Agh yes. It is such a gem. So glad you stopped by Hannah ^-^ And so glad I found your blog!!! Where have you been my whole life?!

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    2. Oh, The Book Thief ripped my soul into a million tiny little pieces. It is definitely on the top of my favorite books of all time, right up there with The Lord of the Rings and Wuthering Heights. :)

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    3. Literally perfect description of it. Ugh. So good. Lord of the Rings is one of the best ever. AH I've never read Wuthering Heights! What am I even doing with my life? I'll have to go read it now ;)

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  5. I can't even describe how beautiful this post was and how much I love these books and YOU. Btw, tell me what you think of "Go Set a Watchman"!!

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    1. THANK YOU <3 <3 You've read The Book Thief?! We need to talk. ;) I will!!!! You've finished it, right?

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  6. First, let me tell you how much your blog connects with me! I love getting to know new bloggers and can't wait to be friends!

    Now, this post is lovely! I just thought about The Hundred Dresses the other day and want to re-read that whimsical and thoughtful book! And I didn't realize that Because of Winn Dixie was a book as I've only seen the movie, a movie that I've wanted to rewatch for ages now. Maybe I will just read the book instead!

    Hannah ~Grace in Everything~

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    1. That means the world to me, Hannah! ^-^ I'm so glad it does! Thanks for the comment!
      Those are the perfect words to describe it- whimsical and thoughtful. ^-^ I love it. Yes, the movie is definitely worth watching, but totally read the book too!! Can't wait to check out your blog!!

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