The Twenty-Fourth of June, by Grace S. Richmond. This was a favorite of my mom's she pulled from her grandfather's bookshelf when she was a girl and she passed along a copy to each of her children in turn. It is a fantastic little love story with a spunky heroine, cleverly written, and one that I have read repeatedly over the years. My favorite thing to do is to read it such that I have reached the climax of the book on the literal 24th of June which, if you've read the book, you'll know is none other than Midsummer's Day. It is a date on which the story hinges. Delightfully.
I love sharing and asking about others' favorite books of all time. This is one of mine. While I find this book charming, funny, and utterly delightful, it has been met with some criticism by those who've borrowed it after learning it was a favorite of mine. One girl even mockingly reenacted a scene upon its return. I kind of wanted to snatch the book out of her hands so it couldn't hear her disparaging words. (Books have feelings, right?)
To be fair, I have read the favorite books of others and wondered, "Really?? This Nicholas Sparks book is your all-time favorite book...ever??" I hope that despite my own opinions, I have not openly mocked the choice of others in their (and their book's) presence. Everyone is entitled to their own favorite books. I wonder what your favorite books say about you. It seems that often my favorite books depict characters with traits I aspire to have and/or who I imagine myself to be deep down without the realities of self-doubt and worry getting in the way. The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery, The Anne Series, by L.M. Montgomery, The Harry Potter Series, by J.K. Rowling, The Book Thief, by Marcus Zusak, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, by Jonathan Safran Foer, The Count of Monte Cristo, by Alexandre Dumas, The Hiding Place, by Corrie Ten Boom. Oh, there are so many more.
I love good books.
Anyway, today is the 24th of June. I never fail to think about this particular favorite book of mine on this particular day. This June, this obnoxious dissertation of mine got in the way of my being able to read it. When things settle down a bit, perhaps I will go ahead and read it anyhow. Or, I will wait until next summer when I will, God-willing, have earned this little PhD of mine, presumably have oodles of time on my hands and can enjoy the tale all over again.
If you're interested, check it out. Please don't judge me too harshly if you find it "ridiculous", "cheesy", or "completely unrealistic" (the words that were used to describe it by the mocker). I prefer "idyllic", "charming", and "delightful".
What are your favorites? Someday (soon, I hope), I will need some new good books to delve into. I need to start my wish list.
And in the meantime, Happy Midsummer's Day!
2 comments:
The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle. Hands down. Love that book. :) I'm currently reading "The Rent Collector," which doesn't come out until September, so you don't have to feel bad about not having time to read it yet, but it is amazing! I think you will thoroughly enjoy it, when you can read it. I HIGHLY recommend it.
I've got your list on my list, and I'm excited to try this one out. I have a couple that my grandmother recommended to me long ago that are very nostalgic for me that I've had other say they don't "get it". One such you might find enjoyable is called Good Morning Young Lady. thanks for the recommendations.
Other of my favorites: The Facts and Fictions of Minna Pratt, Ender's Game, Lord of the Rings, Mr. Chartwell, Little House on the Prairie Series, and so many more!
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