Whenever I visit my local library, I always stop in and check out the used section. It's fun to pick up something new, or even an old favorite, for $1. We live in a small town, and there's an "honor" box secured to the wall, where we put our money. But on lucky days, there's an elderly woman who sits in there, knitting, and welcomes people like me who come to peruse the selection.
Speaking with her always brightens my day. We chat about our favorite authors, and our favorite books. Just a couple of days ago we discussed the upcoming Nicholas Sparks movie, The Lucky One. She's reading the book right now, trying to finish it before the movie comes out. I've read it before, and want to re-read it before I see the film. We're generations apart, and yet we share wonderful conversations about stories.
My son is a freshman in high school, and we carpool with a beautiful girl his age. She's a fellow bookworm, and I enjoy talking with her. We compare stories we've read, and how we feel about movie adaptations. We talk about books that made us laugh, made us cry, and made us think.
The woman at the library, the teen girl, and myself--each of us from different generations--have all read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. Besides reading a beloved book, I can't think of something else where we'd all three experience similar emotions. Maybe music. Maybe art. But to me, books are unique in this way. There's a certain thrill that comes from talking about our favorites with fellow book lovers, despite a generation gap.
I suppose I have no real point except to say that I love chatting about books with all of you. It brings joy to my life, and I'm grateful.
So thanks for stopping by, and thanks for chatting about books.
Have you ever discussed books with someone from a different generation? Did you share similar opinions or emotions about a classic? Were you wildly off track? I'd love to hear your stories.
And to all you brave A-Zers, good luck to you during April. I look forward to reading your posts!
My mom and I ALWAYS discuss books, but unfortunately, no one else in my immediate family is a big reader. My 13 year old son is getting ready to start The Hunger Games for a school book report, so I'm trying to contain my excitement. I can't wait to see what he thinks about it!
ReplyDeleteAdrienne, I'm so jealous!! Neither of my parents were huge readers, so we didn't discuss books. One of my sisters is a big reader, so we share that special bond. I hope your son enjoys HG!
DeleteI love doing this too! As a teacher I get to do it all the time with kids. :)
ReplyDeleteJemi, so true! As a teacher, you have a unique role in sharing books with the next generation. Thanks for all you do :)
DeleteNot as many readers in my extended family, although my wife and cousin discuss books, and sometimes with my parents. I think music is the bigger connection. My nephew listens to my genre of music and our phone conversations are often nothing but music!
ReplyDeleteAlex, that's so cool that you and your nephew share a love of music. Obviously, you're the "cool" uncle :)
DeleteWhat a beautiful sentiment! And it's so true. Yet another wonderful way books bring beauty to the world.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lisa :)
DeleteJulie, thanks for bringing back memories from my teen years! I was that teen (like the one in your carpool) who chatted with women, old enough to be my mother, about books. My sister--who is old enough to be my other--had a friend--who was older than my sister--who loved mysteries. And because my sister wasn't a reader, but I was, my sister's friend and I had a special bond which lasted many years. I would tell her about books I'd picked up at the library, and she would tell me about hers. We'd swap books, discuss them, and just simply share, although we were a generation apart.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Julie, for reminding me of that special time in my life. :)
Wow, what an amazing memory. Thanks for sharing!
DeleteI have a special aunt who lives across the country. Books keep us connected. My kids and I share lots of reads as well.
ReplyDeleteThat's so cool, Leslie. Hunger Games has been fun in our home...something me and my sons can chat about :)
DeleteI love talking about books with my Nana, Mom, and my nieces and nephews. I can tell that my face must light up when I meet someone who wants to talk about books. I can feel it in my heart! I feel such kinship with people who read.
ReplyDeleteLaura, it sounds like you come from a family of readers. Amazing!
DeleteI love talking books! Talking generations here - my mother-in-law is an avid book reader. Years ago, she followed Oprah's book club faithfully. Not long ago, she passed a box of those books to me. We've had some great discussions.
ReplyDeleteLoree, that box must be quite a treasure! I read some of the Oprah picks myself. That's how I discovered Anita Shreve (author of The Pilot's Wife)
DeleteI could talk about books all day, every day, to anyone who'd care to chat. I just spent 3 hours discussing a book with two new friends on Thursday, so oblivious to everything else, we didn't notice the restaurant had closed.
ReplyDeleteNancy, that's so funny! Just Friday night I had dinner with 3 writer friends. 2 1/2 hours passed in a blink :)
DeleteI talk books with my Mom, niece, and daughter.
ReplyDeleteTraci, so lucky that your mom, niece, and daughter all share your love of books!
DeleteMy mom and I talk books from time to time. She has lent me/given me several that I still need to read.
ReplyDeleteSusanne
PUTTING WORDS DOWN ON PAPER
Susanne, so cool that your mom shares books with you. Even better if your taste in books is similar :)
DeleteI talk books with my Mother and my daughters. We're three generations of readers :-)
ReplyDeleteLove the idea of three generations in one family sharing their love of books. Awesome!
DeleteLovely post. I discuss books with my daughter. It is one of the joys of my life. Whether we agree or disagree, just talking ideas and structure is rewarding.
ReplyDeleteTricia, that's so amazing! My son didn't like the ending to Hunger Games, but I did. Even though we disagreed, it was so fun to talk about it.
DeleteBooks can definitely bridge the gap between generations. Beautiful post, Julie. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Victoria!
DeleteHi, Julie. I love talking about books, too. Unfortunately, although both of our boys read, the four of us in my family typically read different genres.
ReplyDeleteI can also discuss movies and music for days as well. Interestingly, my oldest used to only discuss the music of his generation and wouldn't listen when I attempted to broaden his horizons...until he began singing. Now he has rat pack posters on his wall, owns recordings by artists such as Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra and jazz artists even I had not heard of. Yesterday morning he came down the hall with Boston blasting in his earbuds. It's so awesome!
By the way, he and his high school jazz choir head to New York City next Wednesday for a performance and five days of rehearsals and sight-seeing. We're not going on this trip (unlike last year), so wish us well as we miss him...
-Jimmy
Aw, Jimmy, that's so cool about your son (the music AND the trip). I'm sure you guys will miss him so much.
DeleteI love trying to convert non-readers into reading, especially fun authors like Sophie Kinsella. That must have been so cool chatting books on the school drop off.
ReplyDeleteIt's so wonderful to know that people still want to lose themselves in a favourite book. Some would have us believe that reading is somehow 'outdated' but more and more the proof is otherwise, increasingly with novels being made into films and almost fanatical interest in certain characters. Reading is so special, and as you say, Julie, provides a link between the generations, and between people who live completely different lives.
ReplyDeleteBeing able to read is a gift. I don't know where I would be without it and I've had many conversations with different people about how a book has affected us. Lovely post, Julie.
Yes! All the time! I love chatting books with people of all generations and backgrounds. Sometimes they bring up a point I never thought of or see the whole book in a different way and it always makes me think. I'm sure the authors we discuss would be pleased to know that their work got so many different reactions. I know I would!
ReplyDeleteOh my this has happened to me but mostly with my own kids. Both of my girls have read my favorite Judy Blume books.
ReplyDeleteIt's great to find out about books that several different generations are enjoying! I enjoy learning what books children enjoy these days, and get a taste of that with my grandsons. I'm delighted to see them take a great interest in books, especially as the older two are beginning to read themselves now!
ReplyDeleteI have to admit I love it when I talk to my MIL and find out she's reading some of the YA that I read. The Hunger Games in particular comes to mind here--my teen boys have read it, I have and my MIL has. :) It's very cool to hear what each generation thinks, and how they see a different spin depending on their viewpoint and age. Still there are many things we all take away from the book that is the same. Really, this is the magic behind reading, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteHope all is well with you, Julie!
Angela
Banned complain !! Complaining only causes life and mind become more severe. Enjoy the rhythm of the problems faced. No matter ga life, not a problem not learn, so enjoy it :)
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