Friday, September 27, 2024

Day 5 of Five Fall Favorites: KINDNESS Hosted by Once Upon an Ordinary

 

Full disclosure, my weekend starts on Friday, so after a full week of waking up extra early before work to start writing these blogs, I fell back asleep after I turned my alarm went off and slept in late. I had some errands to run when I finally woke up, so it was now after 4PM when I started to write this. That's okay, it's day 5 of Five Fall Favorites 2024 hosted by Once Upon an Ordinary! I guess, I'm not quite ready for it to be over.

Today's prompt is Kindness! I thought I could be kind to some of my favorite books and authors, so today I am sharing five of my favorite books featuring kind characters. These are characters who are generous with time, money and abilities helping others everywhere they go.


1. Nancy Drew: The Secret of the Old Clock by Carolyn Keene

Nancy Drew is one those enduring characters that parents pass along to their children. She was introduced in the 1930s with her first mystery. While the modern books are usually considered elementary chapter books or might be referred to as "middle grade novels," in the 1930s Nancy Drew Mysteries were young adult novels and participated in shaping the genre into what it is today. In Nancy's debut book, she stumbles upon a mystery concerning the will of a diseased wealthy man who promised to leave money to a struggling family. Slim clues send the young detective on the hunt for The Secret of the Old Clock. Nancy Drew is a character who throughout her many adventures, she helps people, never expecting to get anything back. Displaying bravery, kindness, and generosity, she has been a role model for generations of young girls.

2. Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

Netflix made a limited series adaptation of this adorable book. It is Christmas season and Lily's parents are away, taking a long-delayed honeymoon. Although she is lonely, she refuses to let that keep her from spreading Christmas joy and making friends everywhere she goes. She leaves a red notebook containing a scavenger hunt on the shelf at her friend's bookstore. While Dash is a cynic who is only looking for a book to keep him company during the holidays. Stumbling across the red notebook, he is amused by the scavenger hunt challenge and quickly becomes enamored with the author. He leaves notes in the notebook challenging her to try new things too. Both of their perspectives shift, and they do not feel so alone as they explore new sides of New York. Lily's kindness and cheer spreads to everyone around including Dash, and when she need encouragement, he is there for her.

3. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

This dark phycological thriller follows one of the nicest characters in young adult fiction. Clay Jensen is a high schooler going through the motions when he receives a box full of cassette tapes on his front porch. Also in the box is map of his hometown with stars marking, not landmarks, but ordinary places, and a brief note instructing him to play the tapes. When he starts the first tape and hears the voice of a dead classmate, he's shocked and intrigued. Compulsively, he follows the tapes to the spots on the map and discovers the darkness hiding under the service in his quiet town. Throughout the story it is revealed that he was one of the few people to show his classmate kindness. This book deals with heavy themes and topics including mental health, physical abuse, and substance abuse. While it is a well written book, it is not suited to younger or sensitive audiences.

4. The Betrothed by Kiera Cass

Lady Hollis Brite is so filled with happiness and kindness that she lights up a room with merely her presence. When the Crown King Jameson notices her at Keresken Castle, he takes a liking to her and to her parent's delight begins to court her. When royals from the nearby kingdom, Isolte come to visit, King Jameson requests Hollis entertain the visiting queen and sets her up in his royal quarters. Even as she tastes the royal life, she meets a young refugee, a tradesman who notices her kindness and intellect. She begins to question what she wants in life and if she would be brave enough to leave the life she knows. In this book Hollis is ray of sunshine, but more importantly she is an overcomer, not letting people's perceptions of her keep her from being the best she can.

5. Perfect World, Vol. 1 by Rie Aruga

Translated from Japanese, this manga is a sweet romance that explores at the challenges of disabilities and relationships. Tsugumi is a twenty-six-year-old interior designer who through work reconnects with her high school crush who is now an architect, Itsuki. When she knew Itsuki in high school he was a popular basketball player, and she was a shy artist. In the years since she knew him, he has changed drastically. The biggest change being that he now uses wheelchair because of a spinal cord injury. Tsugami has to find the courage to overcome prejudices if she wants to have a relationship with Itsuki. One of the most carrying and thoughtful characters in manga, Tsugami puts Itsuki before herself over and over again because she wants him to know she cares. 

Conclusion

I enjoy reading books about characters who are kind and show us something to stive for. They aren't perfect, but they are making the effort, I would like to see that from people in real life. Writing this blog made me want to re-read each of these books so I can see even more kindness. Many of these characters face loss, grief, abuse and more, they don't become what they lost. They look for ways to be better for others.

Tomorrow's post will be a mid-year reflection on my favorite reads of 2024. I've worked hard this week to use different authors and series for every day, tomorrow's post will have some repeat authors. If you have followed me on Instagram this year, I can guarantee you will recognize these books.

I love meeting new booklovers! Best way to do that is to follow me on Instagram: @Skai_BooksAndBracelets
Read Monday's blog here: Inspirational Skai: Day 1 of Five Fall Favorites: LOVE Hosted by Once Upon an Ordinary
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