Scarlett O'Hara was not beautiful...

Day 01 — Your favorite song
Day 02 — Your favorite movie
Day 03 — Your favorite television program
Day 04 — Your favorite book
Day 05 — Your favorite quote
Day 06 — Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 07 — A photo that makes you happy
Day 08 — A photo that makes you angry/sad
Day 09 — A photo you took
Day 10 — A photo of you taken over ten years ago
Day 11 — A photo of you taken recently
Day 12 — Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 13 — A fictional book
Day 14 — A non-fictional book
Day 15 — A fanfic
Day 16 — A song that makes you cry (or nearly)
Day 17 — An art piece (painting, drawing, sculpture, etc.)
Day 18 — Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 19 — A talent of yours
Day 20 — A hobby of yours
Day 21 — A recipe
Day 22 — A website
Day 23 — A YouTube video
Day 24 — Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 25 — Your day, in great detail
Day 26 — Your week, in great detail
Day 27 — This month, in great detail
Day 28 — This year, in great detail
Day 29 — Hopes, dreams and plans for the next 365 days
Day 30 — Whatever tickles your fancy

 

 

 

 

 

One of the greatest books I've ever read is Margaret Mitchell's Gone With the Wind.  Published in 1936 it became an instant bestseller and caused quite a phenomenon. It was THE book to read, much like the Harry Potter or Twilight series are today. It's really no wonder the book did so well; an engaging story, a torrid romance, war, rich, vivid characters and beautiful descriptions all contribute to the brilliance of this book.

 

It centers around Scarlett O'Hara who is sixteen years old when the book opens.  She lives the good life as a rich Georgia plantation owner's daughter until the Civil War breaks out. She faces hardships she's never known and must grow up and do anything she can to survive. 

Then there's Rhett Butler- one of my favorite literary characters ever. He's cynical, snide, a self-appointed misfit, sarcastic, and head-over-heels in love with Scarlett. He's also the one with the most sense, I think.

I first read this book in the summer of 2006 when I was sixteen. I had just watched the movie and I knew that I had to read the book. About a week later I went out to the library in town and got myself a copy. That book took up the rest of my summer. I still remember waking up, reading, getting something to eat, reading some more, taking a nap, reading, eating dinner, and reading until I fell asleep. I was so gripped by that book- no matter what I had to do, I would try to read just a few more pages.

I was since given my own copy of Gone With the Wind, and I think I've read it about four or five times. Every time I read it, I still get just as involved as I did the first time. I still want to get to the end to find out what happens, and I still get sad once the book is finished.

What I really love the most about Gone With the Wind is the sense of humor that Margaret Mitchell wrote into it. There's moments of absolute hilarity. Most of them center around Rhett  teasing Scarlett. Something I remember actually laughing aloud at is a scene when Scarlett and Rhett are sitting on the porch at night talking about something or other. As is his way, Rhett needles Scarlett and she gets more and more irritated with him. She then declares the conversation over and gets up to go inside, attempting to slam the door shut. But the door is too heavy and so she just stomps away. As she gets to the top of the stairs, she hears Rhett slam the door shut for her.

If you haven't read this book, I strongly recommend it. Just about any library should have it. If they don't, go to a Barnes and Noble's or Waldenbooks. Actually the latter is probably the better option. You'll not regret buying it at all.