BookBags (8): Books I'm Thankful For

Monthly feature where I pair books with bags or share what's in a bag (mine or otherwise!) est. 4/2013.

Since Thanksgiving is this week, it seemed appropriate to think about the books I'm thankful for. Books I read in grammar or middle school that made an impression on me and made me fall in love with reading. Certain ones immediately came to mind (A Time for Dancing was #1) and others I had forgotten about (like Just As Long As We're Together). It was fun to take a trip down memory lane and remember why these books were so important to me as a young reader.

(1) A Time For Dancing by Davida Wills Hurwin + M.A.B. Tote

A Time For Dancing was the first book to ever make me cry. I can still remember being so incredibly moved by Jules and Sam's friendship and what they had to endure. I think that was the first time I truly understood the effect books could have.

» In case you couldn't tell from the cover, the girls are both ballerinas and I knew I wanted to find a classic tote to match. 

(2) Just As Long As We're Together by Judy Blume + V73 Tote

I forgot all about this book until I went through my Goodreads list. It's about three friends (one of them is named Rachel which got automatic bonus points with me) and wondering if it's possible to have more than one best friend. It seems simplistic now but I think at any age, having a best friend is important. I read it when I was 10 or 11 and my two other best friends and I saw ourselves in their story so much. 

» The tote I found matches all the blues on the cover nicely! 

(3) A Wrinkle In Time by Madeleine L'Engle + Darling UK Kate Weekend Bag

My first science fiction book! I'll always have a soft spot for this series. It didn't matter that I didn't understand the tesseract stuff half the time. What mattered to me were the characters and the imagination involved. I really felt like I was there with Meg, Calvin and Charles Wallace.

» When I saw this bag on Ruche (which is sadly out of stock now), my immediate thought was the color is so pretty! I kind of want it.

(4) Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt + ASOS Satchel Bag 

I read this when I was in fourth grade and it was the first time I read anything involving life and death. Even though I may not have fully grasped the questions Tuck Everlasting brought up at the time, I was still deeply affected by it. And looking back, it really is a mature novel for a children's book. 

» Finding a bag for this one was easy, especially since I love that cognac color. 

(5) Matilda by Roald Dahl + Mural Maven Satchel

Who didn't love this book as a child? I almost feel like it's a pre-requisite for every bookworm in the world. By the time I read this, I was already in love with books and finding a character like myself was such a joy. Plus she had cool superpowers. 

» So many colors on this cover! This was kind of a toughie but I think the bright colors on the bag compliment the cover. 

(6) Dragonsong by Anne McCaffrey + Coach Borough Bag
I'm pretty sure I read this one in middle school (possibly early high school?) but regardless, it needed to be on this list. Even though I had read some fantasy novels, I fell hard for this trilogy. I loved the world of dragons and the heroine Menolly. It's a series I keep meaning to re-read as an adult but haven't gotten around to yet. One of these days!
» I keep looking at this bag and thinking it would be great for work. Plus the shade of teal is so nice and bright and perfectly matches the cover. 

So these are just a handful of books I'm thankful
to have read when I was younger. 

What are some of your favorite childhood books?

And which of these bags do you like?