Enchantment

I was just at Barnes & Noble (an inferior book store, I know) with Hollila and could not help buying some books even though I have like 10 that I need to read right now. I bought a compilation of 7 Jane Austen books, and Peter Pan because they had beautiful covers (and because I wanted to own them):

I probably didn't need to buy these books right now, but who knows how long they'll be there (I really love those covers). I feel like books are a good thing to spend money on though. Movies are great, but there is nothing like holding a book in your hand and reading it. Holly said it best: "I feel bad when I buy movies, but books are just special." I'm reminded of a part in The Great Gatsby when Gatsby is having a party and some drunk (I think they call him Owl-eyes) wanders into his library and is astounded by the fact that "the books are real!" That phrase has stuck with me ever since I read that story in high school, because I think it meant that Gatsby's life wasn't all a front. I want to have a library like that some day where I can look at all the real books I've read and share them with my kids.

It's interesting to be working with children who are barely learning how to read. I mean, thinking about it now, it is kind of a big responsibility. Depending on how well I teach them, it could shape their entire future. Books have meant the world to me, and continue to mean the world to me, and I hope that I can help these kids so that their future can be fashioned by the books they read.