Beach Read

No, I'm not sitting in paradise somewhere, but with the 80 degree Memphis March, my best friend leaving for vacation today, and the new news that my Matthew will soon be living just steps away from the ocean, I’m feeling a tad summer-y. Not that I'm ashamed of anything that I ever read, but I don't make a habit of reading books targeted at tweenagers, but make an exception from time to time. Today is one of those such days. Upon high recommendation of yes, a colleague (who is a few years older than me at that, mind you), and the knowledge that many people will soon trade in copies of the Wall Street Journal for something they could pick up on the paperback bestsellers rack, I am reading… The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.
It is light, fun, and even at times, thoughtful. Another one of those books that attracted enough attention to make a movie of (which is on my Blockbuster list for this weekend now), probably a lot more of you took your daughters to see the movie than sat down to read a 300 page book. But it really does have some redeeming read-worthy qualities to it.
First of all, before each chapter, a relevant quote from a well-known person is presented. They range from Winston Churchill to J. R. R. Tolkien to Jerry Seinfeld. This is a great way to expose yourself, or a young person in your life, to the wisdom of others.
Another redeeming quality that really does make this a good read is the resonant qualities and principles that seem to flow from these high school characters. Even if you don’t remember being that age, so many of the things they are dealing with as sophomores, I’ll stop and notice that I’ve thought something similar just last week. For example, one of the four characters is taking in a sunset and comments at her frustration in not being able to capture the beauty of it sufficiently. She questions herself, “Why did she always fell she had to do something in the face of beauty?” Pretty profound for 15.
But by far, the most wonderful thing about this book is the sense of community and fierce loyalty these girls have. I know most of us wish for, spend a good part of our lives looking for these types of “bosom buddies” (to steal a phrase from another wonderful book for young ladies, Anne of Green Gables). These girls have found friends that are different from themselves, but yet interesting, and confident, and loving, and committed to each other. If only we could all find even one such friend. Well, in the meantime, we can live vicariously through Bridget, Carmen, Lena, and Tibby.
Read it. I know you’ll love it.