In April, I wrote this Top Ten Tuesday post about books I wish I had read as a child. I got a really interesting comment on it by Jennifer @ My Book Joy suggesting that I should write a post about books that I think future me will be happy that I read now. I absolutely adore this idea and think it is so interesting to think about, so I’ve decided to share seven books that I think fit that description. As I’m currently in my early twenties, I think there are many books that future Holly will be glad I read right about now, for numerous reasons.
1. The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion. This memoir is one of the most moving, deeply piercing, powerful books I have ever read. It strikes me as the type of book that I’ll be glad to have in my back pocket someday if I’m experiencing grief myself or helping someone close to me through their grief. It puts so many things in life in perspective. {My thoughts}
2. Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton. This is the book that immediately jumped to my mind when I first read the comment that inspired this post. I read this brilliant memoir last summer after going through a horrible break-up and it was incredibly helpful. I still find myself thinking about it sometimes–it’s that good! {My thoughts}
3. The Falconer by Dana Czapnik. In my recent review of this book I shared all about how much it impacted me in a surprising way. This was also given to me as a gift from one of my best friends, which is another thing that I know future me will be forever grateful for: having such amazing friends with amazing taste in books.
4. 84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff. I adore this book for so many reasons, but mostly because it reminds you just how important and valuable connecting with other bookworms can be. And, funnily enough, a fellow online bookworm was kind enough to send a copy of this to me! Future Holly will undoubtedly love looking back not only at this book, but also at this lovely bookish memory. {My thoughts}
5. Dear Fahrenheit 451 by Annie Spence. Not only is this book an incredible reminder of how powerful our connection with books can be, but it also inspired my current way of reviewing books–by writing letters to them!
6. Absalom, Absalom! by William Faulkner. Or anything by Faulkner, really. His novels are downright mind-boggling, and I know future me will be endlessly fascinated by rereading them. {My thoughts}
7. To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf. I didn’t expect to include this novel in this list when I first starting writing it, but here we are. I think this novel will be poignant, powerful, and thought-provoking no matter what age I am when I reread it–and if there’s one thing I know, it’s that I love a good reread. {My thoughts}
Thanks so much to Jennifer @ My Book Joy for inspiring this post! ❤
What books do you think future you will be glad you read now? What do yo think of the books I’ve shared here? Let me know in the comments section below!
Yours,
HOLLY
I loved Everything I know about love – I often find myself using her I am enough quote when I’m in a funk x
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Yes!! Such an amazing quote!! ❤
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1, 4, and 5. Favorites…love them.
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So glad!!
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Such a great idea for a post – really original too! I’ve no idea what would be on my list, but you’ve got me thinking about it now. Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you so much!!
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Ah! That is an excellent question. I think it will be a recent read of mine, which I am yet to post a review of. On Sal Mal Lane by Ru Freeman. It is more special because it was a random library pick which turned out to be so good!
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Oooh I love when a random pick turns into a favorite!! It feels like such a special occasion 🙂
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This is such a great post! It’s quite interesting to think about which books future me will be happy I read now. One of them for me is The Defining Decade, which talks all about the twenties and the years to come, as I’m 21 I find it throught provoking even if I do not agree 100% with it. Other one I would like to tackle is Caliban and the Witch, as I feel it will give me some more insight to discuss and compehend the world.
I had never heard of Dear Fahrenheit 451 but you definitely got me intrigued! And Virginia Woolf is always on my TBR!
Have a great day!!
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Thank you so much!! I’ll definitely have to check out The Defining Decade, that sounds like something I would be really interested in reading. Hope you have a great day as well!!
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Great list. Love 84 Charing Cross Road!
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It’s such a fantastic book!
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Great list! I’ve heard so many good things about Joan Didion, but I do agree that I think I will experience it better when I’m in another headspace.
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Thank you! Definitely, you have to be in the right headspace to read that one!
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Ahh, love it! ☺️ I love that some of your reasons include the community aspect because ain’t that the truth. 🥰
Your inclusion of To the Lighthouse also made me think of my own experience with that book, and I wouldn’t have expected to have that on my own list but I think I actually would. When I read that, it completely changed the way I felt about Virginia Woolf and challenged my opinions entirely. It’s a good reminder to always be open to new perspectives, and especially ones you think you’ve already made your mind up about. 😉
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Thank you!! ❤ Also I love your story about To the Lighthouse, I feel the same way. It's always the first book I recommend to people who want to read Virginia Woolf because there's just something about it that's so special.
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That’s a really neat topic! I love the idea… though all I’m coming up with now for my own answers is “the classics”. I’ll have to think about it more, though, because this is a really neat thing to think about!
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Thanks so much!! Right, it’s such a fascinating thing to think about. I’m so intrigued to see if future me agrees with this list…
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I remember that you had once talked about break-up books, but I couldn’t remember the title, so to find this is incredibly helpful. I might give “Everything I Know About Love” a try. Great list, Holly! 🙂
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Oh I’m so glad this was helpful! ❤ Everything I Know About Love is SUCH a great read, especially when you need a good pep talk!
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