The History of Love

I read a beautiful, moving, thoughtful, hilarious, sad, and wonderfully written book called The History of Love this weekend that continues to touch me two days later. I've read a few great books so far this year but something about the sum of this books parts was so successful. Not only were the characters and the story engaging, but the writing. The WRITING. It touched me. Here's one of the more popular lines from the book:

"Once upon a time there was a boy who loved a girl, and her laughter was a question he wanted to spend his whole life answering."

— Nicole Krauss (The History of Love)

Now, the thing that I dislike less about this quote is also what I dislike about the title, it seems campy in its overt romance, like I should be obscuring the title or something. The truth is, it is more a story of unrequited love and how people find themselves with meaningful lives becuase they pursue that pain in a sense. It was just brilliant and I was surprised to see, when I looked for a good link to send you all on to read more about her, that Nicole Krauss is married to Jonathan Saffron-Foer. And that this book is 5 years old. Yikes!Anyway, another that I like

"...and at the table next to her was a little boy in a soccer uniform sitting with his mother who told him, The plural of elf is elves. A wave of happiness came over me. It felt giddy to be part of it all. To be drinking a cup of coffee like a normal person. I wanted to shout out: The plural of elf is elves! What a language! What a world!"

— Nicole Krauss (The History of Love)

Who hasn't had those days? When you suddenly feel upbeat and alive, normal and adjusted despite being (or perhaps only because you are) among strangers. A child on a bike in a tutu makes you smile and you shout "Morning!", surprising yourself before the word has even left your lips. I don't often re-read books but this is one I will defintitely keep in my collection and recommend to many. It reminded me what I love about literature, language, and most importantly writing. Happy Monday. xN