I was seven years old when my mother introduced me to her storybook world. A lover of the written word since childhood, she counted it a joy watching her daughter’s own love affair with the printed page begin one fateful June afternoon in '64.
With few exceptions, every book becomes my best friend as I share in its romance and adventure. Always thirsty for the next treasured tale, my eyes drink in chapter after chapter until drunk with passion from a night a good book spends in my arms. Unfortunately, the sun reminds me the real world awaits, dull in comparison to the one I'm always forced to leave. Historical romance novels in particular are dearest to me, the apple not falling far from the tree. Like my mom, you will still find me quite often sound asleep, with a book laying across my heart.
Come with me my friend, I’ll take you on a trip to my storybook world before my family arrives. It starts on the first worn marble step of Westbury Public Library, a magical place nestled under a row of Sycamores in a quaint middle class neighborhood, about twenty miles east of New York City. My parents settled there in the 40‘s, a place where horse drawn wagons traveled not many years before. I was more familiar with Chevy Station Wagons and supped up hot rods.
The moment I laid my eyes on that grand edifice, I considered it my second home. From the outside it appeared stoic, the cement columns towering, yet I had no doubt it was a friend to small children and struggling seniors. Donning its intimidating suit of rich red bricks and white trimmed collar, it would come to remind me of a pre-civil war home described in Gone With The Wind. As soon as I stepped through its doors I was a part of its enchanting world. I would fantasize, putting myself in the shoes of Becky in Huckleberry Finn (or should I say bare feet), Ann Shirley of Green Gables and even Nancy Drew, unraveling twisted plots of espionage.
Forty years later, I’m standing on that same step in the back of my mind. I feel like one of the recipients on Extreme Home Makeover as I slowly open the creaking door and peek in. With wide open eyes I see my own special world furnished with imagination, holding in its oak arms a thousand classics ready to be placed in my own. I tiptoe down each aisle reverently, as if I were in church. Every volume lined up on either side in perfect order, a literary army standing at attention, then at ease as their delicate pages once again turn to the oohs and ahhs of this reader.
I can honestly say I feel the same excitement as I did at seven, my eyes taking in the view of this breathtaking place. I caress the huge marble fireplace, trimmed in rich polished wood. I can still feel the flames behind its thick metal grates as a stooped over janitor stokes the wood, sending sparks upward to my delight. Once listening to Hansel and Gretal, it was almost eerie how the fire fit in with the story. Its warmth never failed to blanket our small group of listeners, transfixed on the expressive face of our storyteller caught up in the fable with us. She would takes us from our mundane lives to castles on the Rhine and Safari’s in the jungles of Africa.
More than once I was a princess, a queen, Cinderella and even a young sleuth all under the range of voices chosen to lead us on these short but breathless journeys. As I got older, my own inner voice would read with fervency the chariot ride in Ben Hur and the final scene in Wuthering Heights. I could be on the moon in Slaughter House Five in the morning and by the evening in Sicily with The Godfather. I’ve traveled up mountain peaks and have walked alone on the plains of Tibet, from cover to cover.
I’m sitting now on the unusual couch in front of the fireplace, sunken into the floor. We used to imagine it was a secret hideout uncovered by the librarians. I look up at the scrolled artwork masterfully engraved over the mantle, heating up under the embers glowing once again. A hormone riddled teenager's upside down book isn't fooling me, not even the pretty girl sitting across the room from us. An elderly gentlemen with a nurse at his side, wants to escape from his wheelchair and climb a mountain for an afternoon. He will, just by opening up a book.
I wish you could breathe in the aroma of this place, rising above the brick spires. I’ve never breathed such an unusual but captivating scent and I’ve come to my own conclusion about it. I believe the walls absorbed every story, dabbing each word behind their oak ears as did the children during summer reading hour. Mother and child could escape the heat to skate alongside Hans Christian Anderson or during winter recess, enjoy hot cider with the Cratchet family.
You would never believe the Westbury Public Library has an elevator now. Will wonders ever cease? The old gent has had a face lift of sorts! Why not, it is the twenty first century. Did I ever tell you I hate change? It's getting late so I'll take one more look around before checking out Pride and Prejudice and War and Peace. I wonder if I picked them with my relatives in mind? If I could I’d remain forever in this make believe place or until the last book was read.
I press the button next to the elevator, the one with an arrow pointing down. Moments later I step over its shiny chrome threshold, saddened as the steel doors close on my storybook world. When they reopen I walk slowly out, making my way to a desk where there are no librarians, only tired nurses and a doctor barking orders.
I am about to ask the head nurse about my mom, but before I get the words past the lump in my throat, she tells me “Your mom passed away just a few minutes ago. “
No fantasy or made up tale, reality hitting me in the face. I turn to go, tempted to press the button pointing up, wanting to get lost in storybook land again, but I can't. There’s a funeral to plan and family to deal with, who by the way will be the death of me yet.
I think I hear my sister’s car pulling in the driveway so I’ll have to talk to you tomorrow diary. Thanks for letting me share this little story, its been like a balm for my soul. This is how I choose to remember my mom, not as the eighty pound shell of a women she was six months ago. Damn the cursed cancer, if it thinks it will steal memories from me too!
If you could take every sad ending you ever read, and wrap them around your heart, that is how I feel right now. So tonight when I am finally alone, for you mom, I think I’ll crawl into bed with a good book and crisp juicy apple, believing you’re doing the same under some glorious tree in Heaven. Hold that place, one day I’ll be joining you there!
A contest entry
- This is a little random... by Taylor Renee.
130 points, ended April 8, 2007, 97 entries
• next story in this contest, remove from contest - Anything. by asthray.heart.
530 points, ended February 26, 2008, 23 entries
• next story in this contest, remove from contest - Great Stories!! by Andy Stephenson.
350 points, ended April 30, 2007, 24 entries
• next story in this contest, remove from contest - Impress Me! (now allowing pre-writes, with new rule) by MDavid.
1500 points, ended June 4, 2007, 38 entries
• next story in this contest, remove from contest - sad endings by LostSoulOfRage.
210 points, ended May 21, 2007, 19 entries
• next story in this contest, remove from contest - SW Presents--Fan Fiction--3 Month Gold or Silver at stake! by Violet Moodswing.
700 points, ended May 28, 2007, 28 entries
• next story in this contest, remove from contest - Best of the Best by Amelia-Anne-Black.
225 points, ended June 9, 2007, 15 entries
Honorable mention
• next story in this contest, remove from contest - "My STORYWRITE Friends" by rinzu.
175 points, ended November 10, 44 entries
• next story in this contest, • Add to finalists list, or remove from contest - Give Me Your Best. by Shadow Pixie.
350 points, ended September 27, 23 entries
• next story in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 33 of 33
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Great descriptions, I really liked it. It was different, I enjoyed it. Thanks for entering! Well done, good luck!
~ Leah
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Your story prompts emotion in the reader. I think most can relate to the tragedy experienced by your MC. Good descriptions as well. Best of luck in the contest
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This was good except I don't see in the notes what fan fiction it's based on If you could tell us I am sure all of us would understand.
However, I did really enjoy reading this
- KariKaRama - -
Your story could double as a story and a helpful, informative essay
I quite had fun reading it, because it did show how much of a fan of books you are (but one of the rules states that you have to specify your fandom in the author's notes ^_^ and, uh, the creator of the contest wanted no pictures, only your words, to back up your story).
Nonetheless, this was a great read
Thank you for sharing it ^_^
Good luck with the contest
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Absolutly Brilliant
Wish I could give you four applauses! I LOVED this. I am sorry for your lose. But I love the way you ended the story, I have tears in my eyes.
You wax poetical in this and I loved this part inpaticular: " I’ve traveled up mountain peaks and have walked alone on the plains of Tibet, from cover to cover".
My favorite part at the end was, "I think I’ll crawl into bed with a good book and crisp juicy apple, believing you’re doing the same under some glorious tree in Heaven. Hold that place, one day I’ll be joining you there!"
Your discription at the very begining is exactly how I feel about books. Except for your ending this could have been something I'd write.
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Good Story
It is good to have happy memories of loved ones who have passed. Those are the memories which usually stay with us. Have you read Taylor Caldwell? She wrote really great historical fiction. Thanks for entering.
Andy
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Love the picture just helps the imagery in this story so well. Helps it flow better and bring it all to life.
Good work and thank you for enterng in the contest. Good luck.
Lady Madeline.
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This is a very well crafted story, full of rich imagery and description. Although, I can't see where it fits in with fan fiction, which is a broadly-defined term for fiction about characters or settings written by fans of the original work, rather than by the original creators.
It is a story about a fan of fiction, though, so it might fit.
beginning: 3, language: 5, plot: 3, ending: 3, dialog: 4, characters: 3.
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I find is so very hard to actually update a diary on a day to day basis, though I used to do it once a week and it was good to express my feelings and therefore I love this write... It's realistic and it sounds like something my alter ego would write! Well done. Keep up the good hard work and i'll check your other work out some time when i'm free.
All the best,
x Stef x -
I doubt that there is anything I can say that hasn't been said, so I'll just add that I love the little details. For instance, you didn't just say "apple", you said "Crist juicy" (though I beleive there should be a comma between the two adjectives)
Well done. -
wow
exactly what that other person said...even though its length i read the whole thing...very touchingbeginning: 5, language: 5, plot: 4, ending: 5, dialog: 5, characters: 5.
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I enjoyed reading this one. The title alone drew me in. kuttos!
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I liked this alot. It flowed very naturally and sounded like you would expect a diary entry to sound like. Very realistic, and shows a profound love of books. I found it hard to stop reading, despite it's length, which means it is pretty darn good, or at least I think it is.
beginning: 5, language: 5, plot: 5, ending: 5, dialog: 5, characters: 5.
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incredible...
This is a very moving and personal story. I love it because I agree with your view on books. I myself get lost in books all the time, and I must point out, your story included. Very touching. Brava!
beginning: 3, language: 3, plot: 4, ending: 4, characters: 5.
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thank you so much, more than you know! i am my worst critic! thanks again!
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This story really held my attention from beginning to end. It's really sad, yet still inspirational. I really like your style of writing. I found a lot of emotions in this. Great Job! <3<3<3
beginning: 5, language: 5, plot: 5, ending: 5, dialog: 5, characters: 5.
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thank you so much for your review and taking the time to read my story!!!
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this is a great story. i love it! you are so descriptive and have a real talent at writing(more than some authors)!
is this real?
again,THIS IS A GREAT STORY! i love it! -
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it means so much your comments and review of my storoy - yes it is very true - all of it - I guess that is why it was so easy to write! thanks again!
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How could you not relate? I don't understand
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I loved this story like there are many stories on here that I just cannot relate to but this one I totally related to
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I liked the part about books being your best friend (Don't worry, They're mine too)
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awesome
You have written the most awesome story, I mean,seriously, this is great!! -
Well Written
This is pretty well written, but I can't say it was particularly gripping, it doesn't seem to have much of a plot. More of an essay than a story, but a well written, emotionally stirring essay at that!
beginning: 4, language: 5, plot: 2, ending: 3, characters: 3.
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very well written... you are a very good story teller (as in your narrative is strong). I loved the descriptions, your writing style kinda reminded me of the Laura Ingalls Wilder books I used to read.
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Good man
Whoa dude, ur awesome, write more, I'd love to read these kind of stories, you've got some talent man, keep writin, this story was just too good for words to explain, I luvd it, I 'm sure evry1 else did, damn damn cool story man, wish I could write like this........
beginning: 5, language: 4, plot: 5, ending: 3, dialog: 2, characters: 3.
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Great
It is Beautfuly written, I was hooked from the first line. 8, 11, and 14 are the best I have read form someone who is not a professional yet! Keep up the good work. I felt as she did. I think you will do well. Penny.
beginning: 4, language: 4, plot: 5, ending: 4, characters: 3.
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thank you so very much f or your encouraging review, it means alot that you read it and enjoyed it too! More than you know!
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very good
hi carly... sorry for your loss..i dont read longs books i dont have the patients for them but i have just started to read short storys ..i get lost in them sometimes so i understand how u feel and ..everyone needs to have an escape somewhere they can feel safe n it looks like books are yours..da story u wrote was wrote wif feelin n passion fanx for sharin it wif us~cheeky~ -
Good beginning
Oh, I can relate to the part where you talk about your books as your best friends. I find that characteristic of me too. Personalities like yourself are rare but never alone.
The descriptions after that stirs up quite an emotion though. I think maybe because here you talk about your late mother, of a "cursed cancer".
Anyway, good beginning. Would love to read items from you in the future. -
Pretty Good
Hey, that was pretty good. I liked it a lot. I agree books are my best friends too, I love them. Loved what you wrote here. God Bless! -
Very well written but I personally couldn't connect, just not my sort of thing but truly I think you are talented.
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thank you so much for reading my story - I have written 4 short stories so I am a novice but I love to write them - usually I write poems. thanks again!!
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