Books

A few weeks ago I read my 50th book of the school year. I thought I'd celebrate the wondrous occasion with listing a few of my favorite books on that list.

1. Pride and Prejudice
2. War of the Worlds
3. Wuthering Heights
4. In This House of Brede
5. Far From the Madding Crowd

I read a bunch of heftier books, but they weren't quite as wonderful as the previously mentioned. I'd planned on reading m any many more books this year, and I enthusiastically started books like Anna Karenina, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Les Miserable, Crime and Punishment, etc. However, I didn't finish any of them because I felt that I wasn't enjoying them and giving the attention they deserved, so I put them aside for later reading when I can throw my heart and soul into it. So for now I'm just finishing up Dickens and such.

A few nights ago, I was feeling the need for some light, enjoyable reading. I scoured the house, Bria's room and basement mostly, but nothing jumped out at me. Then my brilliant mother came up with a brilliant idea and a brilliant book. The BFG by Roald Dahl. Growing up, I strongly disliked Roald Dahl's books (except for Charlie and the chocolate Factory and Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator) especially James and the Giant Peach. I never would have thought that when I was fifteen I would love them and be reading all of Dahl's books. Yes! It's true! I've finished the Charlie books, The BFG, now onto Matilda, The Twits, the MinPins, etc. Roald Dahl has the most wonderful imagination. He comes up with such lovely creatures. (e.g. Vermicious Knids, Sausage lipped giants, the unforgettable Oompa-Loompas, humplecrimps, wraprascals, crumpscoddles, and the great squizzly scotch-hopper...the last few which area ll mentioned in The BFG.)

Anyway, the BFG is about a Big Friendly Giant with huge ears who is nothing like the other nine giants int he world who hunt little children and eat them every night. He's a sweet, runt giant who catches dreams and gives little children nice dreams at night. One night he finds a little girl who has seen him and takes her way and together they save the world from the awful giants. And he talks in a loverly way. This is not the best example of his amazing speeches and words he comes up with, but it will do. At this time in the story, Sophie is very worried about little children in England because the giants have just headed their for a midnight snack.

"We've absolutely got to stop them!" Sophie cried. 'Put me back in you pocket quick and we'll chase after them and warn everyone in England they're coming.'
'Redunculus and um-possible,' the BFG said. 'They is going two times as fast as me and they is finishing their guzzle before we is halfway.'
'But we can't just sit here doing nothing!' Sophie cried. How many girls and boys are they going to eat tonight?'
'Many,' the BFG said. 'The Fleshlumpeating Giant alone has a most squackling whoppsy appetite.'
'Will he snatch them out of their beds while they're sleeping?'
'Like peas out of a poddle.' the BFG said.


Maybe my description of the book doesn't make it sound as glorious as it is. But I suggest you read it. Especially on a Saturday afternoon when you feel the need to laugh.