How Fiction Can Change Reality - Jessica Wise Response

What do you think is the most influential book of your generation? What about that book makes it so special? List two other books that you think everyone should read, and explain why they should read them.

• I believe that the most influential book of my generation (as of now) is The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. I think that it is so influential mostly because it has all the elements of excellent storytelling intact: it has realistic, developed characters; an intriguing setting; a driven, purposeful plot; a simple (uncomplicated and engaging) narration style; and a well-presented theme. But there are many other books out there that contain these elements as well, and so I'd say that the distinguishing features of Suzanne Collins's book are its popularity with a wide-ranged audience and its subsequent mass marketing. 
• But why is it so special and popular that it resonates with so many people? Well, I'd say because the message of the book is clear, profound, and true: we (as people, as the media) glamorize and promote awful things in the name of entertainment, and by doing so, we give our governments permission to do so as well. But even though we may mess up, we still can and need to have the courage to right the wrongs we see and identify. And I think that message is one that can apply to most, if not all, people.
• Two books I believe that everyone should read in their lifetime are The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis and The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. I would recommend that everyone read The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe in order to enjoy a good story; though more importantly, to witness all of the best rules of plot structure and a near-flawless execution of allegory firsthand. I feel that as a child, one would like the novel for its plot, characters, and magical elements; and as an adolescent/adult, one would like the novel for it's deeply resonant truths and near-flawless execution. As for The Book Thief, I think that everyone should read it because it deals with one of the most publicized and difficult events in history---the Holocaust---in a unique, tasteful, and completely captivating way. Aside from language that may discourage me from recommending this as freely as I would recommend Narnia, I think that it is a very poignant and beautiful novel that has a really good message and story to tell.

Smith Thoughts

Q. What kind of man do you want to marry?

“I would like my life’s companion to be honest and noble and my friend. I want to love him without regrets.”

― Colleen Houck, Tiger's Voyage

I found this quote a few months ago while reading an adventure novel, and I thought that it was quite lovely and very accurate. Among other things, I really would like to have my husband be a man who is honest, noble, and someone I have a deep and soul-bonded friendship with.

On the first of this year, I started a password-protected Tumblr blog for the man I will marry one day. Surprisingly, I've been able to keep up with posting to it/reblogging things pretty regularly, and it has caused me to think about a lot of things concerning him and the future of us. Particularly, it's caused me to think about what he's like and who he is (or will be, when the time is right). And while there are some things about him that I want but don't need, I have thought through some things that he needs to be in order to be the kind of man I want to make a sacred vow in front of God with and spend the rest of my life cherishing.

I want to marry a man who loves Jesus more than me. A man who realizes that his worth comes not from the utter depravity of his basic nature, but from the overwhelming love and redemption He pours onto us continually. A man who understands the importance of hard work, but views life as an adventure to be had. I want a man who observes and perceives because he wants to understand the world, even though he knows that it can often be brutally ugly. A man who is filled with compassion and willing to feel all of the emotions he is meant to feel. A man who believes the best in people until he is forced to see the worst, but understands the great importance of forgiveness. A man who understands that people are special, and that relationships are so much more important than tasks. A man who thinks before he speaks, and deeply appreciates the power of words. I want to marry a man who is brave and strong enough to lead me when I need to be led, one who treasures me not as a follower but as a gift. A man who is more than willing to earn my trust before marriage, and even more willing to strive to maintain that trust afterwards. A man who respects my heart and wants to spend the rest of his life exploring it. A man who understands that love is a choice; and a man who chooses me.

As soon as I find him and I'm sure of his identity, I'll be thanking God profusely for him for the rest of my life!