So many books, so little time
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Truly a classic ahead of its time. As someone who has struggled with anxiety, hypochondria, and on-and-off agoraphobia for years and had to deal with frustrated adults who didn't understand, I really related a lot to Colin, particularly during his fits when he was sobbing he was going to die— that intense feeling of doom. A lot of people don't realize that anxiety is more than nervousness, it burns into rage and irritability and desperation. Despite the seemingly gloomy topics, The Secret Garden was a light and easy read as well (not wordy) which was a pleasant surprise. I mostly loved reading about Mary's adventures in the manor, the garden, her curiosity and slow development after being exposed to love— and how even the past predicted that parental neglect is the root of unloving little children. I also think the ending of the book had a wonderful conclusion as well; In terms of mental health, until you yourself take the initiative to get better, nothing and no amount of love, doctors or money in the world can help you. There were some elements of racism and classism I didn't like but the book made up for it. All in all 9/10, this is staying on my re-read list for a while
Throughout my teen years I guess it's all I read, particularly the fantasy series that were really popular in the 2010s. I guess a lot of the fun came from how all these YA fantasy books were being adapted into movies. The Hunger Games and Divergent and The Fault in our Stars and The Perks of being a wallflower and City of Bones and the whole shadowhunter thing. Now when I look back at that point in time when I was a huge book nerd in school it's really nostalgic. I don't know if anyone can relate to that period in time concerning what was in for the youth when it came to books. I don't know what it's like now but it was so exciting then when fandoms were really active.
I thought I'd enjoy that scene no matter how old I got and I was terribly wrong. There was this point where I stopped reading them for a while and read some more adult books and classics. Then I came back to YA and read a couple that I enjoyed then I couldn't anymore. The writing was not as good as I remembered and the themes didn't mean much anymore. Some serious themes I remember were just represented so poorly as well. Sometimes I can't believe I used to read those books and enjoy them particularly the Throne of Glass and City of Bones books; I absolutely cannot read those books anymore at all. And don't get me started on the John Green books. Recently picked up Paper Towns again for a walk down memory lane to just to wish I stayed home. It's not that I hThe only books that I think will stand the test of time (for me) are The Lord of the Rings series and The Perks of being a wallflower.
After some pondering I guess it feels weird to grow out of them cause they kind of formed most of my identity growing up i guess. Really all I did was read so they really compromised most of my youth. Growing out of them really made me more aware of how I was mentally much more mature now. I don't know if anyone was also part of that whole YA craze scene a couple years back and can relate. Although I don't enjoy them now I appreciate them for what they were. I'm enjoying The Bell Jar a lot right now.
23
I get it if it’s a library copy or you’re borrowing a copy from someone, that’s just basic respect of others property. But I’ve had people watch me dog-ear my own book and try and like lecture me on the fact that it’s “wrong” to do that. I get if you don’t want to dog-ear your own books but I’m kind of getting tired of this attitude that books are sacred or something and to do any “harm” to them is a terrible action. I like dog-earring my books, I like writing in my books, generally as long as the text of the book is readable I don’t care what condition it’s in.
EDIT: seeing everyone’s responses, I’d like to explain my actual preferred reading experience, get into a dark area and rip out the first page, light it on fire, use the light produced by the fire to read the second page, when the paper is running out, light the second page on fire, repeat until book is read. /s
But seriously though, thank everyone for responding to this post, it’s been really interesting reading all the responses and seeing everyone’s opinion on this.
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