The best thing about secondhand bookstores is not knowing what you'll find in one.
On Saturday I bought Caleb's Story by Patricia McLachlan from Payless Books in The Summit, USJ.
It's the third book in the Sarah Plain and Tall series, which I'm collecting.
The books are available in Kinokuniya, at about RM25 each, but I keep finding them, one tiltle at a time, at Payless. I paid RM4.90 for Caleb's Story.
I think I have one more title to go: Grandfather's Dance.
Like Sarah, Plain and Tall and Skylark, as well as Cassie Binegar and Baby (two MacLachlan novels that are not part of the Sarah series), Caleb's Story is full of pain and love, deep sadness and great joy. The books describe a life totally unlike my own, yet I feel strongly for the characters, and can relate to their hopes and fears and dreams.
I started Caleb's Story the moment I got home from USJ and cried almost all through it. It's not such a sad book - there are plenty of happy moments and the end is perfect, but all MacLachlan's books make me cry, and they're always the sort of tears that one can do with, the sort that actually make you feel better and more ready to face the world.
I am thinking of doing a big clear-out of my book cupboard but MacLachlan's novels are staying right where they are.
I love your column on Sundays. I think you are very perceptive and a genius in spotting lovely books for kids. My favourite writer for children is Roald Dahl followed by Judy Blume. I was very fortunate to have quite a collection of her books when I was young. "Are you there God, it's me Margaret" was a classic. I can read it today and still relate to it. I have never really sought out the books that you recommend in the columns but I like your reviews a lot.
Posted by: Jana | Thursday, July 13, 2006 at 13:50