This meme was started by Sheila at Book Journey. The kid's version was started by Jen at Teach Mentor Text and Kellee at Unleashing Readers.This week was a VERY busy week! I didn't get a lot of reading done. I only finished one book, but it had a huge impact on me. I was not expecting The Center of Everything by Linda Urban to have that big of an impact. This was first book of Linda Urban's that I've read. I'll be checking the others out soon!
Click here for a summary on Goodreads. I didn't go into this book with any expectations. I had heard, on Twitter, that people were really enjoying the book. But I didn't feel the need to run out and pick it up, like I have with many other books. Last weekend I was in the library and saw it set up in a display and I took it as a sign. So I checked it out. Wow, I didn't expect all the emotions that came up. Ruby, the main character, is living with a lot of regrets. She is looking for a way fix those regrets. Her biggest regret is not listening to her grandmother, when she asked her to.
As I'm reading about Ruby's regrets, here come mine bubbling to the surface. What if I had gotten on the phone when my grandparents (mom's parents) called that day before my senior year in college? I would have been able to talk to my Pop-Pop one last time. What if I had gone back to visit my grandparents (dad's parents) during the summer of 2001? I would have been able to visit and spend time with my GrandPap. Even as I write this, those regrets still can bring me to tears.
But like Ruby, I'm not going to let regrets rule my life. As the years have passed the guilt from those regrets has gotten less. But can still come to the surface, as it did with this book.
In my opinion, the sign of a great book is one that can still affect you days after you finish reading it. And that's what this one did.
Happy Reading!!
Stacey (@libraryjo92)
I think a lot of adults have regrets, but I'm not as sure that this will resonate with students. It would be nice if it would make them more aware of how easy it is to lose people, but... just not sure! A lot of teachers completely adore Urban, so you should definitely check out her other titles.
ReplyDeleteMy daughters loved the Center of Everything, although I have not read it , yet. I did read Hound Dog True, though, and it is a great book, as well. Loved your review, especially your sign of a great book!
ReplyDeleteI highly recommend Bigger Than A Breadbox, too! Urban has a definite gift for words. Glad you enjoyed!
ReplyDeleteMaria @novalibrarymom.com
Holy moly, did I screw that comment up. The Linda Urban book I wanted to recommend was A Crooked Kind of Perfect. Laurel Snyder wrote Bigger Than A Breadbox, which is also fabulous, but totally different. And I'm going to go make a second cup of coffee now. :P
ReplyDeleteLOVE The Center of Everything. I kinda forgot about it. I need to get it for my middle school daughter.
ReplyDeleteHi there Stacey. I've been seeing quite a lot of the center of everything too around the blogosphere. It does sound like an interesting read. Thank you for sharing your thoughts about it.
ReplyDelete