totallytinab

I saw that three of my favorite books are opening as movies this summer:  “The Help”  “Snow Flower and the Secret Fan” and Sarah’s Key”  I am not sure how I feel about it.  I know I will see the movies.  As I’ve stated before, I love going to the movies.  But these books hold a special place in my head and heart and seeing them on the big screen may change things.  Why is it that a movie is never as good as a book?  It’s hard to believe that describing something in print can be better than seeing it on a huge movie screen especially to a visual person like myself.  But the reality is, that yes, reading about something and  picturing the places and the people in my head makes the experience richer.  I am trying to think of an exception and can only come up with “Love Story,”  but that may be because I saw the movie first.

My family and I were talking about reading on my recent visit home.  My mom was amazed that all 4 of her children love to read.  As young people, my older brother and sister were readers, my younger brother and I, not so much.  I remember reading a few Judy Blume books like “Are you There, God, It’s Me Margaret”  and “Blubber”  My sister (who is 6 years older than me) had Blume’s “Forever” and “Wifey”  I definitely read those but that was probably for the dog-eared sex parts!  At that time of my life reading was a chore.  We had to read in school and I didn’t appreciate books as I do now. I was out of college and traveling all over the world when I started reading for fun.  I read more now than ever before. I am always looking for suggestions from friends and family. Two years ago, I got a Kindle.  I wasn’t sure if it was for me.   I liked the feel of a book in my hands. I liked to display it on my  bookshelf  like a shrine  But now I like my Kindle.  I download books all of the time.  It is so easy and I can even make the print bigger for my 45 year-old eyes. Besides, I ran out of space on my bookshelves!

It’s funny how some kids like to read and others do not. I am trying to get Hannah, who is my  10-year-old little sister in The Big Brother’s and Big Sister’s Program, to read more.   She is like me at her age and thinks reading is boring.  She’d rather play video games or play outside.  My goddaughter Sydney, on the other hand, who is 11, loves to read and even wanted to take her book to the Twins game the other day!   My hope is that Hannah will one day find like I eventually did that reading is a great way to relax, learn about the world and lose yourself even if it is just for a short while.

So do yourself a favor and read “The Help” “Snow Flower and The Secret Fan” and “Sarah’s Key” before you see them at the movies.  These books will make you laugh, make you think and make you cry.   I am guessing that is the reason Hollywood has made them into movies.