These Is My Words by Nancy Turner

In the middle of a reading drought I was desperate for a book I could fall hard and fast for. I perused my shelves. Nothing was striking my fancy. So I turned to an old favorite - one I could lose myself in immediately.

These Is My Words by Nancy Turner. I almost drooled in anticipation. I first read this book several years ago, and then I read it again every January (for my birthday) for a long time. It is a rare book that can hold up to that much re-reading with such a high level of enjoyment. It's been a few years now since I've picked it up.

I dove right in, and barely came up for air. It was every bit as satisfying as ever. In fact, I may love it more, knowing the end from the beginning. I know just what parts to take my time over and savor. When I did have to surface to the real world, it was a shock to look outside and see my own landscape instead of the Arizona Territories in the late 1800's.

This book is in my top five books I've ever read. Right this minute I'm trying to remember what the other four are...

★ Spoiler alert: if you have not yet read this book, read it before you read the rest of this post. ★ 

The first time I read this book I cried and cried at the end. In fact, I finally went into the bathroom and turned on the shower to drown out my sobbing. Ray came in and asked what in the world was the matter. I told him it was my book. He rolled his eyes and went on his way. When I finished crying I crawled into bed and picked up the book and started all over. Then he came in and asked: "Isn't that the book you were just crying over?" I said yes. Another major eye roll. In my many re-readings of the book I sometimes skip the very end. I know what happens. I don't always want the emotion that goes with it. This time I read it all the way through. Yes, I cried, but not too much. And I have to admit it was all I could do not to pick it up and start all over again.