So, we’re talking about my favourite subject. There is books, and there is love. Then there’s the amazing opportunity to talk about books on love. So, when I saw this week’s question via #mondaybookprompt, I knew I was going to write on it even though I quite honestly exasperated on all matters love, at least as far as this month is concerned.
What’s a book that redefines what it means to love and be loved according to you?
I promise, anytime I’m asked a question concerning a book I’m sure I’ve read, I suddenly don’t have an answer, or I can’t, for the life of me, think of a book that fits into the narrative. But I was willing to try this time around, and thinking about it, two books came to mind. But I’d like to speak first on the one that truly stuck with me, and that’s...
I’ve talked about this book a few times, so I wouldn’t want to deliberate on it any further. But there was love brimming in this book, that I guess isn't talked about enough. The love of Zack and Julie that stood the test of time. Even with how unconventional their situation was. Even with the odds and the entire world constantly against them, they found their way back to each other. But their love wasn’t what struck me in the book, it was the love of Julie’s family and her community to her.
Because you see, Julie is not the biological child of her parents, and isn’t a biological sibling to her two amazing brothers. But the love I saw that flowed between them was unlike I’ve ever seen. It was the word of this family against whoever was going to speak ill of their beloved daughter. And then I think of the love of Julie’s community to her. When the entire world psychoanalyzed her and called her a criminal, they said that “it wasn’t their Julie,” and were ready to burn the world for her.
I think of how they stood by her against her billionaire fiancée, showing that love and community were more important than money. It made me wonder on how good you have to be, to be valued by those around you. Or if it’s a situation of people who see you, love you, and choose to accept you despite whatever flaws you may have. Despite your background, and their possible reservations.
I’ve always known that love encompasses the strengths and the weaknesses, the perfections and the flaws, the ups and downs. But when it comes down to it, how many of us remember this? To love and be loved. To love is to see that this person is their unique self, and while their flaws may never change, you’re choosing to love that person wholly regardless.
It makes me think of the second book, which was a random story in. A Broken People’s Playlist by Chimeka Garricks. I think it was the last or second to the last story, which talked about this elderly couple who chose to be with each other, and let just about everyone know.
And it was through this book I learnt the concept of love being a choice and just how intentional it is. It’s why you cannot say that you were forced to love someone. Because love is one of those things you do not force, and the only way you can bring yourself to finally love a person, is if you chose to do it.
This book made me acquiesce that your parents love you because you’re their child, your sister loves you because you’re her sibling, and your children love you because you’re their father. But it’s only your spouse/significant other that would love you because they choose to. That of the billions of people in the world, they made it their choice to love you. To choose you.
It’s through these two books I understood the love that exists between friends. I have people in my life who I would quite literally do anything for, because they have shown time and again that they would same for me. I've learnt not to take their love for granted because of how short and fickle life is, and I've learnt how to make amends cause I've chosen them to be my people.
In these modern times, we’re so quick to break things off and dismiss people at the slightest inconvenience. But somehow, even though I may not have been able to say the words as I intended, I can assure you that if you read books like Perfect or A Broken People’s Playlist, you’d see love differently. In a purer light than you could have ever thought. In a light it should always be seen in.
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