“She’s taking her classes online this year to try and save money,” Hayley answers. “College dorm rooms and meal plans are more expensive than one would think.”
I run the idea over in my mind just to make sure there aren’t any snags I’m not immediately seeing, but having Trinity take over for me sounds like an answer to prayer.
“Can she come over Friday afternoon? I’ll introduce her to Mr. and Mrs. Anderson, the horses, and show her around the property and explain what her duties will be.”
If only all of my problems right now could be solved so easily.
7
From: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Homework
Thank you for taking the time to compile all this information. In your professional opinion, where is the best place to start? Are any of these titles your favorite? Maybe I should start there.
Respectfully,
Julien King
From: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Homework
I think there is an unwritten rule somewhere that says you cannot ask a librarian their favorite book. It’s probably beside the one that says you can’t ask a parent who their favorite child is. It’s simply impossible to choose. I love different books for different reasons. Some I have felt down to the core of my being, hitting me in all the feels. Others have influenced me in such a way that I look at the world differently. Sometimes a book will offer me an escape right when I need it most. Or it will help me to understand anddeepen my empathy for those around me. So, sorry, no favorites. Just a deep love for the written word.
A most ardent bibliophile,
Martha
From: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Homework
My humblest apologies for my ignorance. I didn’t realize my question was such an impossible one for a librarian to answer. I suppose the rule doesn’t apply to simple book lovers such as myself, because I do have favorites. Although, I grant you, the titles on the pedestal change quite frequently. A favorite can still be considered as such even if it’s dynamic, can’t it? One of our authors once told me whenever a reader asks her what her favorite book is that she’s written, she says the answer is always the one she’s currently writing. Because of that, her favorite changes with each book. Mine is like that. Right now, my favorite title isThe Wagerby David Grann, but before that it wasThe Letter Keeperby Charles Martin, and next week it might be something else entirely.
I still need a good place to start with this list you gave me, though. I suppose I could always begin at the top and make my way down, but I’d rather have the most crucial information frontloaded.
What was the book that you always seemed to be carrying around with you when you were a girl? I think you might have been about eight at the time? I remember I was doing something in the backyard and you were hiding in the bushes. You wouldn’t tell me why, but I noticed you there a few times, and every time you had the same book in your hand. Do you remember that?
Ready to learn,
Julien
From: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Homework
Oh wow! That brings back memories. I was readingThe Secret Gardenand pretending I was Mary Lennox and that I’d stumbled upon my own magical garden there in the rhododendrons. I haven’t thought of that in a long time. I think your mom gave me the book, actually. I know mine didn’t because she was so upset with me when I tore a huge hole in my shirt when it got caught on a branch.
Maybe your own childhood favorite books are a good place to start. What books did you sneak under your covers with a flashlight to read past bedtime? Which ones did you beg your parents to read over and over to you? Why did you like them so much? What was it about the writing or the characters or the plot that pulled you in? Maybe read them again now as an adult and see if they still elicit those same feelings.
