Even though I think it's incredibly important to support authors, publishers, and bookstores, most of the books I read come from the library.
Here's why I don't purchase all the books I read:
1. It gets to be expensive.
2. I have limited shelf space.
3. It really irks me to own a book that I don't love.
And here's what always makes me purchase a book:
1. I went to hear the author speak.
2. I'm friends with the author.
3. I'm head over heels in love with the book.
Obviously, the very best reason to buy a book is #3, falling head over heels in love with it. Unfortunately, that doesn't happen all that often. But yesterday it did. The book: The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson.
It was published in 2010, so I'm a little late to the party. Don't ask me how I missed all the buzz about this book last year... I have no idea. Just look at all these starred reviews and amazing authors heaping praise on this book and this author.
What's the book about, you ask? It's about sisters. And love. Loss. And grief. Passion. Music. Poetry. It's written so beautifully that I cried in the happy parts, was unable to breathe during the heartbreak. It made me feel like I was in on a secret, like I was meeting these incredible friends, like I was climbing inside someone's heart.
It also made me feel like I'm only pretending to be an author. That this Jandy Nelson is the real deal. And I'm okay with that. It's good to be in awe of an author. Yesterday, after I returned The Sky is Everywhere to the library, I went to my local bookstore and bought a copy. They only had one available, so I ordered two more. I need to give this book to some friends.
Here's why I don't purchase all the books I read:
1. It gets to be expensive.
2. I have limited shelf space.
3. It really irks me to own a book that I don't love.
And here's what always makes me purchase a book:
1. I went to hear the author speak.
2. I'm friends with the author.
3. I'm head over heels in love with the book.
Obviously, the very best reason to buy a book is #3, falling head over heels in love with it. Unfortunately, that doesn't happen all that often. But yesterday it did. The book: The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson.
It was published in 2010, so I'm a little late to the party. Don't ask me how I missed all the buzz about this book last year... I have no idea. Just look at all these starred reviews and amazing authors heaping praise on this book and this author.
What's the book about, you ask? It's about sisters. And love. Loss. And grief. Passion. Music. Poetry. It's written so beautifully that I cried in the happy parts, was unable to breathe during the heartbreak. It made me feel like I was in on a secret, like I was meeting these incredible friends, like I was climbing inside someone's heart.
It also made me feel like I'm only pretending to be an author. That this Jandy Nelson is the real deal. And I'm okay with that. It's good to be in awe of an author. Yesterday, after I returned The Sky is Everywhere to the library, I went to my local bookstore and bought a copy. They only had one available, so I ordered two more. I need to give this book to some friends.
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