Don’t Judge a Book by It’s Cover
Denise has recently told me of a librarian that complained that very few childrens books these days had strong or main male characters to which I replied: “She must not read enough. Plenty of books I read have main male characters, and the only reason that it’s not written from their perspective is so that the female character can gush about how attractive the male one is.”
This is but one of many cases where people seemingly haven’t quite grasped that everything is not as it seems. Another, more pathetic example, is the boys at school’s reaction to Twilight (by Stephanie Meyer, to those of you who live under a rock.)
During my stage of minor obsession with the aforementioned book, the boys at my school teased me mercilessly about it. When I queried them as to what on earth their problem was with the book, they responded with the assertion “It’s stupid”. When I questioned them further, asking if they had ever read the book, they responded “No, but why would I read a stupid book like that?”
To which I responded angrily, “To learn, you idiots! Life is about discovery, and to write something off like that is to give up hope of any change!” Whether it was my love of the book talking, or a true statement, I really would appreciate if people would apply it to real life, in addition to books, of course.
Whenever my mom has a new book from the library, I ask her if she’s enjoying it. Sometimes she replies that she is not, and when I ask her why she continues to read it, she says simply, “Because I haven’t read it yet”. I think that these are the moments when my drop-dead gorgeous, keynotes mother is at her wisest. Through that simple sentence, she allows us to realize a very basic truth: Life is about straying from the beaten path, because to do so is the key to progress. Even if its unpleasant, like asparagus jello, at least you gain something, like the knowledge that asparagus jello is not fit for human consumption. I hope that many people will take my mom as an example, and try everything once.
I love my mother.
July 19th, 2009Topic: Books, Life, Ramblings Tags: Books, epiphany, Life
July 19th, 2009 at 7:47 pm
hah. I’m not trying asparagus jell-o.
Otherwise, I’m with you completely.
July 19th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
I love that your house does exactly what my house does. I happen to mention something that comes across my email, or on a blog, etc. and an entire discussion with the entire family is born.
Great post.
July 20th, 2009 at 7:37 am
Words of wisdom!! So very true. Love your blog, btw.
Here via your mom and Denise.
July 20th, 2009 at 11:13 am
Oh good. I’m glad my family isn’t the only one that does it. I was starting to think we should hold the Guinness world record for weirdest family. Glad you like my post. I’m attempting to get as good at this as my mom so one day I can win Keynotes!
July 20th, 2009 at 11:27 am
Very wise and well said! I read the “Twilight” series at the suggestion of my seventeen year old son. We both enjoyed them–not necessarily for the same reasons–but until you’ve read something and given it a real chance, you’re not qualified to comment.
On the other hand, I see no need to apply that same resoning to asparagus jello!
July 20th, 2009 at 1:53 pm
RJ
You are wise beyond your years. Just like your mom.
And I agree aparagus jello is truly disgusting,
July 20th, 2009 at 9:37 pm
I think the only exception to the “try everything once” rule is asparagus jello. I’m glad that your son is against the “Twilight is a girl book” cult. There is no such thing as a “girl” book or a “boy” book. Books are Books.