Which book would you read for the first time again?

Scrolling through social media has its perks. Now and then I stumble on something that inspires me to share my thoughts and experiences with you all. The post that inspired this blog post is from the Grand Central Publishing Facebook Page and it poses this question:

I’m not much of a re-reader, but if I could read a book for the first time again, there would be too many to list, so I’ll do it in the form of ‘Thank Yous’.

Thank you, Mama.

My mama is a reader and she rarely told me ‘no’ if I wanted a book. Some books that she’s gifted me that I’d like to read for the first time again are Amelia’s Notebook, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, and Addy: American Girl books 1-4.

I recall Amelia’s Notebook because of its humor and colorful and quirky drawings. The formatting of the book as a diary inspired me to start writing in my own. Sadly, journaling or keeping diaries isn’t an activity I’ve regularly done, as I drop off just as fast as I start. Still, so, I’m optimistic that will change as I mature.

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark was acquired from a Scholastic Book Fair. I was a terror when it came to the catalogs. I had a habit of circling everything I wanted when I knew good and well my mama would only buy maybe 3-5 of whatever I circled. I wanted Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, not too bad, but three bad. I’m a sucker for horror. The cover’s artwork seemed promising and the book did not disappoint me when I read it. Scary is exactly what I got. The scarecrow and the lady with the bump on her face are unforgettable.

Possible Unpopular Opinion: The books are scarier than the movie adaption. Fight me if you want. I said what I said (lol).

Then there’s Addy, my favorite American Girl doll that I’ve always wanted. Addy will forever hold a special place in my heart. Her stories made me appreciate my ability and freedom to read and learn as an African-American female, living in the United States.

It brings me immense joy to know that the books remain in my family and my mother has taken great care of this jewelry/keepsake box.

Thank you, Mama. It’s because of you, I read.

Thank you, Aunt Doris.

The younger me didn’t expect anything for Christmas and the current me is the same. I just like being included in the gathering. Gifts aren’t necessary. One Christmas, imagine my surprise when my Aunt Doris gave me two books. I cherished those Great Illustrated Classics copies of Heidi and Oliver Twist. I’m pretty sure I read Heidi until the spine started to loosen.

I’d like to read them again for the first time because I remember when they were given to me. I was so excited that I read the rest of the day while the other children played with their Christmas gifts. I don’t remember what the books are about now, as it’s been many years. I can only infer that they are entrancingly written. Captivating, even. My family had to tell me to put the books down so I could eat (lol). I love food, but I love a good story even more.

I wish I would’ve held onto those books. My dear Aunt Doris has passed on, and that would’ve been something I had in memory of her.

Thank you, Aunt Doris. Thank you for being mindful of me and seeing me for the book nerd that I am. Missing you always.

Thank you, Jaleesa.

Jaleesa is the only classmate that’s ever gifted me books. It’s truly a shame that I cannot remember exactly if it was a singular book or more than one book. The only detail I remember is that it’s something authored by Sarah Dessen. It was either Keeping the Moon, Someone Like You, or both. In any case, receiving those books gave me great joy and I have fond memories of re-reading them almost every summer.

Schools will be dismissed for the summer break and contemporary books are analogous for this time of the year. Reading either of these books for the first time again would be perfect.

Unfortunately, Jaleesa and I haven’t spoken in years, but if I had the chance to speak to her today, I’d let her know how important her gift was to me. Sometimes I think to myself, if I could go back in time, I would have created a space for us to talk about the books, mostly because I think it might have changed the trajectory and longevity of our friendship. That was then and this is now. We have naturally cleaved from each other, but the bookish moments stuck.

I doubt she will ever see this, but if she does, thank you, Jaleesa. Thank you for being a friend when we were friends and gifting me books that got me through many a summer.

Note: She and I have the same first name. Even more of a reason why I cannot forget these books or her. Life is funny. Isn’t it?

Thank you.

Big thank you to whoever gave me a copy of Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. I wish I still had the book. I’d like to read it again for the first time because it’s my first painful read. Tears stained the pages before I could register that a book could make me feel this way. My reading experience of this book required facing the realization that we as a country are not that far removed from the events in the book. Same body, different clothes. It’s a sad but true reckoning that this country (US) still has work to do.