“To love or to have loved, that is enough. Ask nothing further. There is no other pearl to be found in the dark fold of life” (Victor Hugo, Les Misérables).
February- There is something great about that first change of month in the new year. I have recently spoken to a few people, who all say that January has an eternal slow march feeling to it. There really is something to be said, for seeing the daylight gaining advantage over the long nights. Spring is tentatively wanting to be noticed, but March gives it the full welcome it deserves!
One big day this month is Valentine’s Day. I have reflected how as a young writer, having a lifelong love of literature is one of the greatest loves anyone can have. You might love a particular book or just the feeling of reading, writing and holding a book or notebook. The smell of a fresh book, is one of the loveable aspects of the reading experience. The quote I have chosen this month, is by the great Victor Hugo. It is such a powerful testament to the feeling of love, that he calls it a “pearl” in the “dark fold” that makes life. Of course, the feeling of love can be towards fellow humans, animals or indeed objects. Throughout history, book lovers have found great inspiration, enjoyment and escapism in books. To love a book, is to have a happiness that you can keep through your life.
I have had more time to read for leisure over the past month, and from a literature scholar viewpoint, it is vital to read for fun as well as study. If the process of reading and writing becomes too much of a process of analysing, we lose the beauty of being taken to the world where the book is set and invites us to. It gives a break from the day to day work we do. We read everyday to varying degrees. Taking time to read for fun and because you love it, is one of the best ways to feel better during busy times.
I am fortunate to volunteer in a bookshop, and the team all share a love for reading and writing. It is great to have these communities of shared love for the power that books give us, and of course there is a book for everything that exists. I hope this month that you will renew your love for a good book and have a chat with someone about your love for a book.
It is great to see books being recycled more because the value of a book being read multiple times, shares a small amount of the love that the original reader has got from it. I often like to give books as gifts, because they can be enjoyed repeatedly and kept as a token of friendship, appreciation and gratitude. I hope you LOVE reading this blog and have a LOVELY month!
Work Cited- BookBub. “x.com” X. Date Accessed: 10th February 2025. URL: x.com/BookBub/status/565307768966373376?mx=2.