A love letter to children's fantasy series
Ohai LJ, how have you been?
Dear children's fantasy series,
In honor of V-Day, I thought it was fitting to confess that I am a little bit in love with you. I'm sorry I ever doubted you.
You must understand my initial reluctance. We had our time in the past, when your "Ages 9-13" labels were relevant and I still spent all my bookstore time in that age segregated children's wonderland that I have long since grown out of. Most other sections of the bookstore coexist seamlessly, where one could wander into another genre's domain without realizing it, but your kingdom has unmistakable boundaries. But even so, the series among you that sometimes wander into the less stratified young adult section I was still reluctant to pick up, and not because I am some ten years the elder of your intended audience. In fact, I have a well documented liking for children's books, for their gentle, uncomplicated prose and quicker pace than typical adult books, which seem to like dragging out the setup and exposition where nothing in particular is happening.
No, I was afraid of commitment. You series can easily stretch yourselves out for seven, ten, or more volumes, and that can be a lot to keep up with, especially as a busy student, now graduate, with trips to the bookstore becoming an infrequent uncertainty. The time I spent reading had even dwindled over the years, with few books exciting my interest the way they used to. The books I did buy often lay unread for months or years at a time. Of course I strayed away from long series, which demanded more of my time than a single stand alone novel, and would probably toy with my emotions between volumes with aggravating cliffhangers that I may or may not continue to be invested in by the time I next entered a bookstore. There was too much uncertainty.
Of course, then came the Borders' going out of business sale, and our paths crossed once again. With mass sales and limited time, my usual defenses were lowered. I was willing to grab anything that looked interesting, and then I saw you, out on display on a table rather than in the orderly ranks with the other books of your series. Perhaps I was less likely to consider the consequences of getting involved in a sprawling series when you were out on your own like that, or perhaps I figured I just wouldn't let myself get invested, that I could have a quick fling with an easy children's book and quit you without feeling compelled to continue the relationship. But you proved me wrong.
It wasn't until mere days ago that I pried into your pages, feeling that a relatively quick, easy to read fantasy novel was what I needed, and you turned out to be everything I hoped you would be. The start was a little rough, I admit. I sighed at your orphaned main character and the general predictability of where things were going, but you know what? I'm okay with that. Even though I recognize your flaws and could spend all day nitpicking everywhere you went wrong, I kind of fell in love with you anyway. I can't explain it; that's what love is. But somehow you outshined most of the other books I've tried reading lately by pulling me away from my usual computer time to spend an afternoon with you instead. You gave me that happy fluttery feeling inside that's so rare for me to get from a book nowadays, so I hold you close and quietly geek out from my love.
Even so, I wanted to stress that ours is not the kind of love I go about screaming from rooftops. It's a small flame that nonetheless satisfies me, because it reminds me how reading used to be, when I regularly read others of your kind deep into the night. And the knowledge that you span eleven books with possibly more to come gives me comfort that I can fan our flame for quite some time. I have already sought out the next two volumes as you know, and yes, failing to find you among my usual young adult fantasy fare, I ventured deep into the children's section to find you, sharing the aisle with a girl half my age, but it was okay, because it was all for you.
Thank you for reminding me what reading is supposed to be like.
Love,
-Isi
Dear children's fantasy series,
In honor of V-Day, I thought it was fitting to confess that I am a little bit in love with you. I'm sorry I ever doubted you.
You must understand my initial reluctance. We had our time in the past, when your "Ages 9-13" labels were relevant and I still spent all my bookstore time in that age segregated children's wonderland that I have long since grown out of. Most other sections of the bookstore coexist seamlessly, where one could wander into another genre's domain without realizing it, but your kingdom has unmistakable boundaries. But even so, the series among you that sometimes wander into the less stratified young adult section I was still reluctant to pick up, and not because I am some ten years the elder of your intended audience. In fact, I have a well documented liking for children's books, for their gentle, uncomplicated prose and quicker pace than typical adult books, which seem to like dragging out the setup and exposition where nothing in particular is happening.
No, I was afraid of commitment. You series can easily stretch yourselves out for seven, ten, or more volumes, and that can be a lot to keep up with, especially as a busy student, now graduate, with trips to the bookstore becoming an infrequent uncertainty. The time I spent reading had even dwindled over the years, with few books exciting my interest the way they used to. The books I did buy often lay unread for months or years at a time. Of course I strayed away from long series, which demanded more of my time than a single stand alone novel, and would probably toy with my emotions between volumes with aggravating cliffhangers that I may or may not continue to be invested in by the time I next entered a bookstore. There was too much uncertainty.
Of course, then came the Borders' going out of business sale, and our paths crossed once again. With mass sales and limited time, my usual defenses were lowered. I was willing to grab anything that looked interesting, and then I saw you, out on display on a table rather than in the orderly ranks with the other books of your series. Perhaps I was less likely to consider the consequences of getting involved in a sprawling series when you were out on your own like that, or perhaps I figured I just wouldn't let myself get invested, that I could have a quick fling with an easy children's book and quit you without feeling compelled to continue the relationship. But you proved me wrong.
It wasn't until mere days ago that I pried into your pages, feeling that a relatively quick, easy to read fantasy novel was what I needed, and you turned out to be everything I hoped you would be. The start was a little rough, I admit. I sighed at your orphaned main character and the general predictability of where things were going, but you know what? I'm okay with that. Even though I recognize your flaws and could spend all day nitpicking everywhere you went wrong, I kind of fell in love with you anyway. I can't explain it; that's what love is. But somehow you outshined most of the other books I've tried reading lately by pulling me away from my usual computer time to spend an afternoon with you instead. You gave me that happy fluttery feeling inside that's so rare for me to get from a book nowadays, so I hold you close and quietly geek out from my love.
Even so, I wanted to stress that ours is not the kind of love I go about screaming from rooftops. It's a small flame that nonetheless satisfies me, because it reminds me how reading used to be, when I regularly read others of your kind deep into the night. And the knowledge that you span eleven books with possibly more to come gives me comfort that I can fan our flame for quite some time. I have already sought out the next two volumes as you know, and yes, failing to find you among my usual young adult fantasy fare, I ventured deep into the children's section to find you, sharing the aisle with a girl half my age, but it was okay, because it was all for you.
Thank you for reminding me what reading is supposed to be like.
Love,
-Isi