The Optimist
  • Home
  • About
    • Advertise
    • Policies
    • Staff Contacts
    • Jobs
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Editorials
  • Multimedia
    • Photo Galleries
    • Videos
  • Features
  • Print Edition
    • The Pessimist
    • Special Projects
  • Police Log
  • Classifieds
You are here: Home / Opinion / Columns / Sharing books means sharing connections

Sharing books means sharing connections

September 16, 2014 by Allison Brown

Lately I’ve been thinking about books more than I normally do. Of course, if you know me, you know that I’ve always loved books. Books are not only my primary method of decoration in my room, but I’d say they might even have the top spot on my list of enjoyable recreational activities.

Someone recently asked me via Facebook to share 10 books that have impacted me and stuck with me over the years. They didn’t have to be my favorite books of all time, but ones that have kept me thinking, ones I’ve gone back to.

I loved the moments that followed as I sifted through my mental library, turning pages in my mind, reliving adventures of my fictional friends and remembering the beautiful, and even difficult, things about life books have taught me.

It was significantly more worthwhile and impactful than I anticipated the simple Facebook post to be.

Why?

I took time to stop and think and remember things I’ve learned and held dear. Those books formed who I am. By sharing that with others, I was able to connect on new levels with people who had read the same books before me. I’m always amazed at how some words printed on pages bring people together in very deep and meaningful ways.

Now, you see, this is the point where I could try and turn this into a Buzzfeed-esque column of 27 reasons why you should read books, but I don’t think I’m going to go there.

Instead, I would simply encourage you to go back to the crumpled paperbacks, the illustrated children’s books, the memoirs, the biographies or the works of fiction that have shaped you. Think about them, make a list, share it with others, and see how it connects you.

Now, I’m sure you’re wondering what in the world my list of books was, and if you weren’t wondering, too bad because here it is anyway.

1. “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen (always and forever number one in my heart, but really just read it and you’ll know)
2. “A Million Miles in a Thousand Years” by Donald Miller
3. “Til We Have Faces” by C.S. Lewis
4. “Behind the Beautiful Forevers” by Katherine Boo
5. “The Kite Runner” by Khaled Hosseni
6. “The Book Thief” by Markus Zusak
7. “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn” by Betty Smith
8. “Love Does” by Bob Goff
9. The first 200 pages of “Les Mis” (still haven’t finished) by Victor Hugo
10. “Blue Like Jazz” by Donald Miller

Happy reading.

Filed Under: Columns, Opinion

Other Opinion:

  • Tariffs are the last thing struggling students need

  • Gen Z won the election for Donald Trump

  • A Swift rebuke: When it comes to politics, celebrities just do not get it

About Allison Brown

You are here: Home / Opinion / Columns / Sharing books means sharing connections

Other Opinion:

  • Tariffs are the last thing struggling students need

  • Gen Z won the election for Donald Trump

  • A Swift rebuke: When it comes to politics, celebrities just do not get it

Follow us online

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Optimist on Twitter

acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist ·
30 Mar

Sing Song 2025 Awards Women’s Division:

Vocals:
1. Ko Jo Kai
2. Sigma Theta Chi
3. Delta Theta

Entertainment:
1. Sigma Theta Chi
2. Ko Jo Kai
3. Delta Theta

Note: An earlier post included a spelling error, so we have since updated it for accuracy.

Reply on Twitter 1906348770293317827 Retweet on Twitter 1906348770293317827 Like on Twitter 1906348770293317827 Twitter 1906348770293317827
acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist ·
30 Mar

Sing Song 2025 Awards Class Division:

Overall Award:
1. Freshman Purple
2. Freshman White
3. Seniors

Reply on Twitter 1906188185371034000 Retweet on Twitter 1906188185371034000 Like on Twitter 1906188185371034000 3 Twitter 1906188185371034000

Optimist on Facebook

The Optimist

10 months ago

The Optimist

Video

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

The Optimist

1 years ago

The Optimist
"Ending my college education early was always the plan for me, but the things that I have been able to see, experience and examine about ACU’s community were not. I have found immense growth in ACU over the past three and a half years, but ACU still has a long road to climb if it wants to keep catering to students as the world changes around them." To read more of this article visit acuoptimist ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Videos

Optimist Newscast Feb. 28, 2024

Our top stories today include a recap of The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940, the ... [Read More…]

  • Optimist Newscast Feb. 21, 2024
  • Optimist Newscast Feb. 14, 2024
  • Optimist Newscast Jan. 24, 2024

Latest Photos

1
2
3
4
5
PrevNext
  • Home
  • About
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
    • Policies
    • Advertising Policy
    • Letters to the Editor and Reader Comments
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Editorials
  • Multimedia
    • Videos
    • Photo Galleries
  • Features
  • Advertise
    • Paid Advertisement
  • Police Log

© 2025 ACU Optimist · All Rights Reserved