Wonder: So Worth The Read

Do you ever wonder about who you choose to be and what your actions say about you? 

I do, and the book I just finished reading focuses on that. It's called Wonder, and it's amazing. I  avoided reading it for a couple of months because it's a "kids' book", but in retrospect that was such a lame excuse; Wonder is inspiring and engaging and well-written, and the themes speak to people of every age. Stupid Scout, few books are only for kids. 

But all's well that ends well, and hey, I read it and loved it. I can't even explain how much I loved it or why I loved it so much; I just know that I feel the urge to go off and read it to every single person on Earth. Which, although it is a short read, would take a long time so I won't be doing that. Unfortunately.

I should probably give you a bit of a review... Wonder is the debut novel of R.J. Palacio that follows a 10-year-old kid named Auggie who was born with a facial deformity. The story follows him (and the people he affects) for a school year: 5th grade, his first year of "real" school ever because he was homeschooled before. It's full of very real characters, laugh-out-loud moments, and thought-provoking remarks. The book is, at the most basic level, a celebration of kindness, but goes far beyond that. It reminds you that actions are always noticed (your deeds are your monuments), and that they always affect others (no man is an island, entire of itself), and that it's not enough to just be friendly: you have to be a friend.

There is exactly one thing I want you to get out of this post: I want you to read Wonder. I won't even care that much if you pick up your Nook or Kindle or whatever and read it! I just want you to read it and bask in its glory! Though if you buy a copy and peruse its pages, I'll be much more impressed. Just read it, please! 

Greetings from the luckiest guy on the lower east side,
Scout

P.S. When given the choice between being right and being kind, choose kind.

My Father's Day

My dad is 40 today. Someone's growing up! At least physically...

There is no one as wonderful as a father, no matter how obnoxious he is when he wakes you up on a Saturday or how many times he asks, "Have you finished ALL your homework?", or how times he tells you that, "That would be unwise." He might have a saying that seems to become completely overused (like, "To know and not yet to do is not yet to know.") and try to teach you things, but hey, that's part of his job.

In my opinion, my father is the best father - he's my father - and I love him. I love making him laugh and doing annoying things with him and making pies and reading and skiing and going to the grocery store with him. I love seeing him after he gets home from a long business trip and I love his impersonations and I love how he makes waffles and pancakes. He's smart, he's funny, he's loyal, he's hard-working, and he's persistent; so many things I want to be. I've got 24 more years until I'm 40, and maybe then I can be as cool as my father. But I kind of doubt it.

 He makes parenthood look suave...

 His facial expressions are always lovely...

HE is lovely...

He's my dad, and I simply adore him.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD! CARPE DIEM!