The Books Made for Me
Many years ago, I went to Shepherdstown, WV for the first time. When we got out of the car and looked around, I remarked that it was as if they made a town just for me. Teahouse? Check. Coffeehouse? Check. Bookstore, movie theater, great restaurants, nearby river, sundial? Check, check, check.
The town has changed a lot over the years and lost a few things that we loved during that first visit — teahouse, toy store, and many restaurants — but I never forgot that feeling of stepping out of a car and feeling like a place was designed solely to be filled with my favourite things. Even if I knew it was just a happy accident.
I recently thought the same thing as I was reading a book series — Death and Croissants by Ian Moore. It’s not just that I like the books. It’s that it feels like the books were made solely to make me happy. To appeal to all the things I love. Which, again, is a happy accident because I don’t know the author.
It’s hard to pinpoint how it is fine-tuned to appeal to my tastes. It just hits this perfect note, and I fall into such a happy space reading the books.
The last time I felt this way was the first time I read The Magicians by Lev Grossman. It feels special to feel it again.
2 comments
I checked and found the e-version was very reasonably priced, so on your recommendation, I bought it — both books, actually. 😉
Trying to think of a book that made me feel that way… I think “The Thursday Murder Club” books by Richard Osman would fit the bill, or certainly come very close. I love mysteries, with a bit of humout to them. 🙂 Can’t wait for the next one — it’s out on Sept. 2oth! 🙂
The Flavia de Luce books by Alan Bradley too.
I have found books and places that take me to a happy place. But I’ve never felt like anything was made for me. Except the occasional meme…