Did Ash and Arthur’s unlikely friendship surprise you as they bonded over books? Have you found in your own experiences that books can bring people from different circumstances together in a shared love of the story or characters?
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Surprising, yes, but only because of the generational difference. However, I loved the friendship that developed between Arthur and Ash, seeing each of them benefit from their interactions was heartwarming. Ash seemingly gained in confidence and a hole in Arthur’s life was filled by his younger friend. I would have enjoyed being a fly on the wall while they bumbled through their foray into Graham Pierce’s office.
I am a part of an online group that has people from across the country. Within the broader group, a smaller, very diverse group of people have bonded over books. Over the course of several years we have gotten to know each other virtually (and some of us have even met up in person) as we have shared more about our lives beyond books. We represent all ages, ethnicities, religions, gender-identities, and opinions but our mutual respect and caring for each other all started with our love of reading.
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Books DEFINITELY bring people together.
I have become close friends with readers…book people are THE BEST!!
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Yes, it was a pleasant surprise that Ash and Arthur developed a friendship. I was hoping another book club member would befriend Ash and this felt perfect, for it to be Arthur. As a teacher, I always loved bonding with kids of all ages (and backgrounds) over books we had both read.
I liked the friendship with Arthur and Ash. I believe Ash needed Arthur in his life and Arthur needed Ash. I liked that Arthur was open minded and could help Ash develop his courage and confidence. Arthur needed someone to help with the void he felt over the loss of his wife.
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Like everyone else, I enjoyed Ash and Arthur’s friendship. And I agree that bonding over books can form unexpected kinship between unlike people. At my job, we convene a lunch meeting once a month, open to anyone who wants to come, where we discuss books we’ve read (so not a “book club” in the typical sense of the word, but more of an “I love to read” club). We get readers from all different departments, and there are a very wide variety of books discussed and shared. It’s not uncommon for two people who don’t have much in common — or even who don’t really get along most of the timed — to be surprised because they both enjoy the same book. I love when someone talks about a book they read and a quiet participant comes back the next month to gush about reading the book that was discussed the month before. Real bonds form between our employees this way. It is awesome. Arthur and Ash reminded me of those bonds that form in our reading club at work. It was a part of the book that actually really resonated with me.
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One of my book besties is young enough to be my daughter. We actually went to a book signing yesterday to see Liz Tomforde and SJ Tilly. Books can definitely bring people together.
I loved their relationship and thought it made sense, especially given the context of this story. Books bring people together. I know I have made many friends in my book club who are of different generations. It doesn’t matter. It’s the stories that matter. If you love those, then you have a common bond with other readers. Age doesn’t matter. I loved how Arthur took Ash under his wing and tried to help him. It also helped heal Arthur some. Good for both of them.
I just thought the friendship between Arthur and Ash was great. Books bring people together. We have a young man who comes to a program at the library where we just talk about books. He even baked for us one month and we love when he comes. His book choices are often books we haven’t read and we read them and report back to him. The more people the better.