Thursday, April 28, 2011

Just for fun: If you could step into any book . . .


This question occurred to me a few days ago and I thought it would be a fun one to ask you guys. I have so many favorite books, many of them historical, and sometimes I just wish I could step into the pages of these books, or visit that period in history for a while. Maybe even forever! So, here's the question: If you could step into any book, what would it be, and why? If you can't narrow it down to just one, feel free to list a few.

I couldn't pick just one, so here are three favorites that came to mind. These are all series.

  1. The Betsy-Tacy series. Especially the high school/young adult ones. These are set in the early 1900s and I love, love, love them. The descriptions of the girls' clothes, the fun times with their high school friends (mostly revolving around music and parties--so much more simple and innocent fun than teens have today), the world traveling, and finally the adjustment to married life on the brink of World War 1 . . . all of these are reasons I would like to step into these books and be part of the "Crowd" with Betsy, Tacy, and Tib.
  2. The Little House series. The fact that I can read and re-read these books over and over, even as an adult, attests to how much I love them. I know the pioneer life was difficult, but how fascinating it is to read about! To think of being one of the first families settling the West . . . teaching school at age 15 or 16 . . . going to "literaries" or surviving the long, hard winter . . . living in a tiny log cabin, a dugout, or a claim shanty . . . riding on a train for the first time . . . riding in a cutter with Almanzo . . . :) Laura's life fascinates me and inspires me. I'm so glad she wrote down her experiences to share with the world.
  3. The Anne of Green Gables series. Particularly the later books, when Anne is grown up and married. I would have loved to be friends with Anne, and to live on PEI at the turn of the century would be like a dream come true. I would have loved to spend hours by the fire at Ingleside, chatting with her and gleaning wisdom for mothering and nurturing children. Or even being one of her children, living a lovely, happy childhood, uncluttered by the distractions of television, video games, and too many toys . . .
Writing about these books has given me a hankering to re-read all of them. :) I just love a good book, and have read many, but these are a few series that I can pick up over and over and feel like I am sitting down for a visit with an old and dear friend. Which is why I so wish I could step into their pages, even for just a little while. How about you? Do you have any books that affect you this way? Please share! :)

3 comments:

Rachel S said...

I would agree with you about the Little House Series for sure. Those would certainly be high on my list. Also probably The Great Gatsby, that was a very regal and unique time and although I probably wouldn't fit in too well, that might be a good one to be in :) Cute question too.

Unknown said...

I haven't heard of the Betsy-Tacy series -- sounds like a good one for us as Chloe gets older!

My absolute favorite author (besides C.S. Lewis) is Charles Dickens. While his time period and setting was ridiculous difficult (poor in 19th century England) I love the female characters he portrays. They are perfect pictures of strength with grace and gentleness. I'd like to step into the Pickwick Papers. Not sure what character I'd like to be but it'd be hilarious just to be a fly on the wall to observe the craziness! :)

My second choice of a book to step into would easily be any of the Narnia books.

Mrs.T said...

All of the series you mentioned have had that effect on me over the years, especially Anne of Green Gables in the Ingleside years. I'm thankful to have had the opportunity to visit PEI and so many of the Anne/L.M. Montgomery sites. It made the series even more real to me to see the setting and some of the history.

I would also love to be able to step into the Beany Malone series by L.M. Weber. How I envied the Malones and their big, bustling, busy -- but very happy -- family. The Tobey Heydon books by Rosamond du Jardin and Janet Lambert's books about the Parrish clan were also books I wished I could "live" in.

I enjoy Jan Karon's Mitford books and often wish I could visit Mitford for awhile!