Books Books Books!

So I have tried, because I think it's a good thing, to read some of the books I own this year.

First I read Home by Julie Andrews,

I heard nothing but greatness about this book (thank you Brittany Worley), and it turned out the book is indeed great.  I didn't find it particularly inspiring or tear jerking or anything like that, but I found myself fascinated with the woman who gave life to Mary Poppins and rebirth to Maria Von Trapp.  I adore her.

Then came Peter Pan by JM Barrie,

I decided to buy this book because I figure if there's a person in this world who should own the book Peter Pan, it's me.  Why?  Because when I was 14 years old, I fell in love with Peter... also James Hook.  The newest movie version of Peter Pan came out and, after watching the film 4 times, I was so immersed in the story that I took to writing the script by memory.  Well, I finished it 3 days later and watched the movie, interested to see the mistakes I had made... the total came to about 30.  I REALLY like Peter Pan.  And now having read the book, the love that remains for Peter has only grown.  JM Barrie is great and I highly recommend this read.

Today I finished Little Women by Louisa May Alcott,

... I feel like I want to give a moment of silence for this great author.  Truly, Little Women captured me far more than any other book has before.  I am a great fan of the story... I've seen every film version, know every word to every song in the musical version and have always considered myself to be a "little woman" as well.  As I read the book, I was consistantly surprised with the failure that each version is at depicting just how much love is in the March home, just how dear Marmee is to each daughter and visa-versa, and just how much faith in Jesus Christ is established within each of the misses March.  Louisa May Alcott spends so much time letting us see each relationship grow.  I rejoiced each character's triumphs as if they were family or dear friends.  And I think I know why I became so involved in the lives of these good characters.  Because they are real.  They suffer, they celebrate, they learn patience and make mistakes and they are good in heart.  I want to be like Meg so that I will be a loving, beautiful, unconditional mother and wife; I want to be like Jo so that I will treat others honestly and serve my siblings whole-heartedly and love unselfishly;  I want to be like Beth, perhaps most of all, so that I will bear trials with grace, enjoy beauty sincerely, and remember my home above as sweetly as she returned to it; and lastly, I want to be like Amy so that I will be accomplished and well-loved but more importantly, forgive and give of myself with all my heart.  I could go on and say why I wish to become more like Marmee, Hannah, Laurie, Mr. Laurence and Mr. Brooke and others, but this post has already been too long and boring.  To those who have not read Little Women, more than any other book (other than scriptures of course) I recommend reading this one.  It, with all sincerity, has changed my life.  I feel blessed to have read it and I look forward to the day I can give Louisa May Alcott a hug and thank her for her gift.

I'm in the middle of Harry Potter 7 for the second time (midnight showing, here I come!!) and I just began Mary Poppins... I have a feeling I'll love Mary!

Guys, I like to read all of the sudden.  Who'd uh thunk!