i think i realised it a day or so after daddy brought it home from the library. i am the first person to check out this book. there were clues that backed my conclusion, subtle notes that several other people wouldn't think twice about. the smoothness of the cover, the blank checkout log except for my due date, the crisp, sharp edges of each page, and the black ink that showed evidence of this author's masterpiece; prominent and yet just right.
so as i curled up under the covers at a time where the lights were supposed to be out and i was supposed to be asleep, i realised i was the first one to throughly caress each page with my fingertips. to absentmindedly hold down either page and cause a crackling sound in the spine. to fold down the corners of pages where words resonated with me even deeper than the trenches of the ocean.
i am a voracious reader. i have lived so many lives through so many people. seen the most glorious things and felt the most wrenching sobs. though my body is young and my heart is ready to take on the world, my soul carries the feelings of others who have become more than just fictional characters in the many books i have read. the deep, earthy smell of each page is my bread, the vivid descriptions of times gone by are my water.
so here i am, reading the dangers of proximal alphabets by kathleen alcott. i nestle under the covers, alternating positions (on my back, stomach, or side) and promising myself just one more chapter in the wee hours of the morning. and i feel special, because i am the first to do so.
so as i curled up under the covers at a time where the lights were supposed to be out and i was supposed to be asleep, i realised i was the first one to throughly caress each page with my fingertips. to absentmindedly hold down either page and cause a crackling sound in the spine. to fold down the corners of pages where words resonated with me even deeper than the trenches of the ocean.
i am a voracious reader. i have lived so many lives through so many people. seen the most glorious things and felt the most wrenching sobs. though my body is young and my heart is ready to take on the world, my soul carries the feelings of others who have become more than just fictional characters in the many books i have read. the deep, earthy smell of each page is my bread, the vivid descriptions of times gone by are my water.
so here i am, reading the dangers of proximal alphabets by kathleen alcott. i nestle under the covers, alternating positions (on my back, stomach, or side) and promising myself just one more chapter in the wee hours of the morning. and i feel special, because i am the first to do so.
hi, my name is jocelyn, and i really really really hate nutella. i guess you could say i founded/created this blog, but it wouldn't be what it is without the help of my six wonderful friends. i live for cupcakes and white chocolate, and i have this crazy ability to distinguish a brit from an american without either one of them talking. i write really long blog posts and i refuse to eat waffles without sausage and warm syrup. nice to meet you, i love you. :)
xx, jocee.
Books are the best, no matter what! New books are the best. Old books are the best. The end.
ReplyDeleteooh goodness girl, you and words. totally entrancing. that thrill of a new book. amen. there is no such thing as being tired when a book is unfinished for me.
ReplyDeleteOK what was that you said now? you HATE NUTELLA!!!!!!!!!!!!!! wow. I am, wow. I'm mean wow. may I ask for the cause? is it just not your thing?
lovely post as usual:)
Em
well, i'm not really one for peanut butter or chocolate, and nutella pretty much has both in it. it's a bit too.... blergh for me.
Deletethank you so much for your sweet words!
however nutella and i are never
ever
getting back together.
like,
ever. ;)
heh heh heh, oh alright than:)
DeleteEm
jocee. I can't even. oh my gosh, your words are incredibly beautiful and tangible and they flow and ebb like the tide.
ReplyDeletealso, thank you for being like me. Thank you for NOT liking nutella.
I love you to the moon and back.
xxx pom
ps what is the book basically about?
DeleteK, truth is...you are a brilliantly gifted writer, you have a sweet, fun, yet deep and beautiful heart, and sometimes I pause and read over your words because they're just that good.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
-Madi
Three really's? Was that really necessary?
ReplyDeleteHah. hah. I understand the nutella. I don't understand the chocolate + peanut. What the heck is wrong with you!!!!
;)
Also, this is just beautiful. Only once have I been the first to check out a library book, but it felt like this. I would never be able to explain it like this, I'd be like "I was the first and that was cool but I don't really know why and stuff," but this is beautiful. Also, replying to your facebook message, just gotta find the right words first! :)
oye! no judging. i like the word really. like really, a lot.
Deletethere are many things wrong with me, and the majority of them include tom hiddleston.
thank you sweetheart!
YES. FINALLY. I AWAIT YOUR ANSWER.
I don't really really really [;)] like Nutella either! Icecream is my thing.
ReplyDelete...I love your artsy eye!
this post just gets me really excited because I love books and your writing. your writing is absolutely phenomenal. and i really love the second photo.
ReplyDeleteReading is awesome. 'nuff said.
ReplyDeleteI go through phases with nutella. Sometimes I hate it, and other times I can't get enough. I have to be in a certain mood to eat it :)
-Leanna
Ooh, I love being the first to check out a book. It's rare, but when it happens it makes me smile :)
ReplyDeleteI love it when I'm the first one reading a library book but I also like the feeling that someone has held the same book, flipped the same pages, and laughed or cried at the same parts.
ReplyDeleteYour word choice is wonderful.
Nutella is fine by me. It's edible. I like it on whole wheat bread. White chocolate is amazing. Like. It's just...superb. I'd like to see you distinguish a Brit from an American. (AND a Canadian. ;) You got a challenge...) Ohmygosh did someone say waffles!? Those things are amazing. I also like french toast sticks. I think I like those more than waffles. Hmm.
I love you too.
~Jenny
Yikes, Canadian from American? That's quite the challenge.
DeleteThis is a lovely post! The photos are really beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI'm on/off with Nutella. It's actually really delicious, but when you get too much of it, it all gets stuck in your mouth and your trying to get it off your gums. Then you have your parents telling you to control your sweet intake and just the idea of calories... Haha.
I think to be the first one to read a library book is so special. I want to do that one day. Wonderful post, Jocee. Your words are inspiring. xx
ReplyDeleteHi, doll!
ReplyDeleteIm in love with your photography- definately my style!
I have redesigned my blog, and I’d love to hear what you think!
Here is my latest post: The Map Necklace
Xx,
Summer from Passports & Prada
Books, books, books. What would we do without them?
ReplyDeleteSo lovely! x
ReplyDeleteHow was the book? :)
ReplyDeleteSo far it's really good. loving the descriptions. It's really different from all the other books i've read, but it opens me up another style of writing. :)
Deleteso, this was awesome. (especially that third paragraph - pretty much my whole life ever.)
ReplyDeletealso, i'm super glad you decided to read it, so i can talk to someone about all of the freaking FEELS. yay to being firsts (and anxiously awaiting her next book, huzzah.) :) xx
This is a lovely post Jocee! I could tell it was you at the first line :)
ReplyDeleteI love to think about who else has checked out this book before me, what kind of lives they lead, whether it became their favourite or not :) Little things I guess
Kimmy x
jocee you are phenomenal.
ReplyDeletewho knew four simple words could mean so much?
Deletethank you. from the very bottom of my heart. bless you. i cried when i read this.
this is a really beautiful post. you're amazing jocee.
ReplyDeletebut, i have to say, i hate that you hate nutella. ;)
#sorrynotsorry ;)
Deletethe book is now on my to-read list. also, you and nutella... I don't know what to say to you.
ReplyDeleteyep. it's official. you're amazing. just everything about you is wonderfulness.
ReplyDelete