Book Two in my Top Five

November 4, 2008 | My Jottings

I’ve enjoyed reading about some of your book favorites, and I found myself mmm-hmmming in agreement to so many. I have three takers on our book giveaway so far, and six books to give! So maybe there are a few more of you who might just be brave and share your favorite book or two with our myriad blog readers. 🙂

Another book that I could read over and over again is Les Miserables by Victor Hugo.

If you haven’t read it, you really must. I first read it in ninth grade in Mrs. Grimley’s Novel class, and groaned when I saw the drabness and thickness of the book. But I wanted an A in the class, so read it, and half enjoyed it.

I read Les Mis again in 1985, and was floored by its scope, and saw things at age twenty-eight that of course I had missed when I was fourteen.

I read it for the third time a few years ago and marveled at the book and its message. I recommend it every time the opportunity arises. It’s worth the time.

In January of 2007, my husband and I pinched ourselves as we sat with dear friends in the elegant Queen’s Theatre in London, and watched the breathtaking production of the musical Les Miserables on that famous revolving stage. When the final curtain went down, we weren’t the only ones with tears on our faces. What a memory.

Sometimes there are huge books I want to read, but because of different involvements I just don’t want to start on 1000 pages during the school year. So I plan for longer “Summer Reads”.  Maybe you could make Les Miserables a summer read, or a vacation read.

Last time I read it, it made me a little Les(s) Miserables. You might find it helps your mood too.