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Erika Tovi's avatar

“what would my present self

pay to ensure that my younger self read

that book

at some

point.”

Whoa—I hadn’t thought about book-buying in this way before. I feel so lucky to 1) have access to books at all and 2) that many books have opened up new portals and worlds to me. When I think about how one good book can allow my mind and soul to travel all over, it definitely makes me reconsider the price of a book and value it even more!

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Shawn Smucker's avatar

Thanks, Erika!

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Jenn's avatar

I love this. Regarding a Prayer for Owen Meany...my uncle gave that to me when I was not ready for it, shortly after it came out, but it sure made an impression and echoes of it remain...long enough that I feel like it might be time to revisit it.

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Shawn Smucker's avatar

Taste plays a huge role, and everyone likes different books! Thanks for reading, Jenn . . . and let me know if you get back to Owen.

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Jenn's avatar

I will! You're right about taste, and I suspect there will still be things in there that just aren't my thing. But I'm also a much different person in my 50's than I was in my teens (even though of course I'm the same person. I feel like you might know what I mean).

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Daniel's avatar

I'm benefitting from your online advice -- when you recently mentioned "My Family and Other Animals" as a sunny and uplifting read. Bookshop delivers quickly and it's been a delightful path for me to follow at the end of long and arduous days -- thank you!

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Shawn Smucker's avatar

Glad to hear it, Daniel! Thank you!

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Andrea Stoeckel's avatar

A Prayer for Owen Meany also adapted as *Simon Birch* is a fav of mine as well. In fact a Conference Minister adapted it as Readers Theater. Last year, going through my stuff, I found an old thermofax copy of his work and transcribed it into a. pdf.

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Shawn Smucker's avatar

Thanks for reading, Andrea.

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Rosie's avatar

Wonderful words! Thank you.

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