Another One Bites the Dust

Only a few days into summer, and I've already completed one book! Once I get going on a book, it begins to consume my life. I'm not sure how healthy this is; I suppose there are worse things :-) A good novel, for me, is mostly based on the characters. I'm always amazed at the craft of characterization. I mean, how does an author make me feel so connected to the characters in a novel? If you ask me, that's a very hard skill to master. Last summer, I went to a reading where the author described the process behind her characters. It was very interesting, and it made me realize that it's not always a "plop my laptop down and begin typing" situation, but rather, a process. I kind of love that about it too because this shows that not just anyone can be a published author.

You're probably wondering what book I read! Me Before You by Jojo Moyes was recommended to me by a friend, and I would do the same to someone else. The story is based around a relationship between a quadriplegic and his caregiver. It was nothing like I thought it was going to be, and it was interesting to read about the different perspectives. I loved how the characters developed, not only individually, but as they grew together.

One of the quotes from the novel got me thinking (surprise, surprise) was, "You only get one life. It's actually your duty to live it as full as possible." Understanding the story and getting to know the characters changes this for me, but it's something that anyone can relate to. It's so easy to get into a routine and, for lack of a better term, "settle." I am guilty of this, but this just reminded me that that's not what life is about. Not only that, but it is our duty to do something bigger. We only have one life on this side of heaven, so it's important that we fill it with what matters.

As I finished the novel, I was crying. I was sad for the characters, but also for myself because it was over. I always get so emotionally attached to characters. Someone needs to remind me that they aren't real people. In that sense, another one bites the dust.