Dear Diary,

I have just come upon one of the hardest decisions of my life thus far. Which books do I take to college with me? With limited shelf space----well, limited EVERYTHING space----, my choices are critical. How on earth am I supposed to take part of my other world and leave the rest?

On a different note, I have just finished a new book: Wicked. After 519 pages, I still find myself wanting more, much more; luckily, there are three more books in the series. The story behind the 2004 musical caught my eye because my heart knows the inspired songs and its pages were bright green. The Wicked Witch of the West captured my affection from the moment of her disdainful beginning. After finishing the book, Goodreads reviews turned out to be disappointing. Most posters were let down by the lack of answers in this first installment. But I think that's why I loved it. I like to keep guessing, I like to not know, and I like possibility. Well, in books, at least, if not in real life. I refuse to review Gregory Maguire's story because for me it is not finished.

But back to the dilemma at hand. I still have not decided which books to pack in my boxes and load into my car. Should I bring my seven keys to the Wizarding World and my beloved Hogwarts? I cannot count the times that they have rescued me from Reality. How about my countless classics? I enjoyed them far more than I expected and substantially more than my classmates. Do I leave my thin novels with happy endings here? Sometimes I find myself in desperate need of their comfort.

There are a few I know I will bring. My sturdy new study Bible will accompany me to Shawnee because I need its Author and its wisdom. My fantastic devotionals will go with it. Jaime Tworkowski's If You Feel Too Much will continue to reassure me that I'm not alone in my reality.

I have come to the realization that life may be too busy for pleasure reading. But reading is more often my sustainer. It keeps me grounded though my head may be far away. I will make time for my source of escape because I need it.

While waiting for the next Maguire installment to arrive in my mailbox, I began another book. The novel based in WWII has already pulled me in, but I read only portions at a time since I cannot even begin to pace my reading of Oz. Son of a Witch is being saved for our family trip; I absolutely cannot wait. The red pages are hard to resist.

For now,

Shelby

“There was much to hate in this world and too much to love.”
― Gregory Maguire, Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West