In the final days of summer I appropriately finished reading Dandelion Wine, by Ray Bradbury. Stated simply, it's a book about summer. Here is an excerpt from the first chapter:
"It was a quiet morning, the town covered over with darkness and at ease in bed. Summer gathered in the weather, the wind had the proper touch, the breathing of the world was long and warm and slow. You had only to rise, lean from your window, and know that this indeed was the first real time of freedom and living, this was the first morning of summer."
I would suggest reading this book next May or June, as soon as you feel summer in the air. Or better yet, read it in the dead of winter when you are longing for a little bit of summer.
Twelve year old Douglas Spaulding is the main character in this story of a small town summer in 1928. One of my favorite parts of the book happens at the start of the summer when Douglas becomes really conscious of the fact that he is alive. He had never really thought about it before and the realization fills him with pure joy. Later in the book he has to come to terms with the understanding that he also must die. It's a book about summer, but it's also a book about life.
3 comments:
Hi Emma,
I linked on here from Katie's blog. She had mentioned today that you just finished Dandelion Wine. We read that last year for Book Club and I absolutely loved it. The interesting thing was some people couldn't stand it--they wanted Ol' Ray to just get to the point. Here is one of my favorite quotes from the book: "Grandma, he had often wanted to say, Is this where the world began? For surely it had begun in no other than a place like this. The kitchen, without doubt, was the center of creation, all things revolved about it; it was the pediment that sustained the temple." (Douglas) I love that part because it reminds me of the kitchen at Grandma's. It seemed to be the center of the universe when I was young...and I guess when I was older too. I have so many great memories of just being in that room--licking cookie beaters, eating tomato soup, watching Grandpa stand against the oven listening to the game on his radio, and decorating Easter Eggs. Anyway, I'm glad you liked the book. Let's plan a park visit soon and talk about the great books we're reading! By the way, it was fun seeing you at Lagoon!
Kimberly
Okay, so now that you are leaving, you better post often. Although, I already see you doing a lot more updating this past couple of weeks. I will miss you lots. Make sure to keep in touch.
Emma-
Good luck on your adventures at home. That is truly our most important work!! I love reading about all the books you read. You seem to pick great ones. I like books about life. I'm a bit of a sentimental, nostalgic sap. Enjoy the little kiddos, the time really does fly, doesn't it.
Post a Comment