Dear Mr. Henshaw is one small book that follows the story of a boy named Leigh Botts, who, by the way, hates his name because people think it’s feminine and some can’t pronounce it.
Honestly, I only read this book because a year ago I watched a movie called Stuck in Love, and two of the characters mentioned this book as being one of their favorite books when they were little. Now I Know that i’m eighteen and that these kind of books will not trigger any kind of feelings in me, but I just loved the movie and when I found the book on sale in one of the libraries that sell used books, I told myself why the hell not?
Later on, my family decided we will go on a road trip. I decided I should take a book with me to photograph… (yes I take books with me to places so I could take pictures of them… talk about being a perv.) Dear Mr. Henshaw got picked to be my “road trip companion.” I was never intending to read it. Guess how did that end? I read it. In less than an hour and a half the book was over. I’m not saying that this book is the best book on the planet, I’m just saying that its small, and that its nice to read something I would have fallen for when I was thirteen or less. I loved it for three main reasons; The first is that this book makes you want to write. The second is that this book-for youngsters-is very helpful. The third is that Leigh’s story is sad. I love sad stories so much you have no clue.
While reading it, Leigh was writing his heart out in a journal, describing everything and saying beautiful things. I happened to look at the road and to my shock I found green everywhere. It was beautiful… Trees aligned both sides of the road and it felt like they were bracing our arrival to the city. All I could think of was damn, I wish i had bought my journal with me and wrote like Leigh.
Finally, (I know I said its a road trip but honestly all my mother wanted was to eat fish in that famous restaurant in that other city, so we had to drive all the way there.) we reached our destination. Sea food was incredible. Mum was satisfied, and it was time for us to hit the road once again. and so we did.
I know I said finally but whatever. On our way back it was music time and may I finally present to you my own personal Road Trip Playlist. (I listened to it as the sky blended colors with nature so Caution it might make you tear up a little.)
This is a really sad playlist with my favorite lines in the song.
10- Angus and Julia stone – Devil’s tears
Some call love a word, some call love a thief
But she’s my home
And she’s as much apart for this broken heart…
In the night the stormy night she’ll close her eyes
In the night the stormy night away she’d fly
Like I said, the sun was setting, so I might as well have played Paradise and pretended being that little girl in those cute PJs with her toy in her hand.
Longing for the sun be welcome
On the island many miles away from home
Dying young and I’m playing hard
That’s the way my father made his life an art
Drink all day and we talk ’til dark
That’s the way the road dogs do it – ride ’til dark
Obviously there had to be Lana del Bae.
6- The new Pornographers – Challengers
On the walls of the day
In the shade of the sun
We wrote down
Another vision of us
5- Sufjan Stevens – The seer’s tower
In the tower above the earth,
There is a view that reaches far
Where we see the universe,
I see the fire, I see the end.
This song is too sad.
4- Radiohead – How to disappear
Numbers Four and Three are basically one verse, and I just like the music so that’s that.
Well, I’ve been afraid of changing ’cause I built my life around you
But time makes you bolder
Children get older
I’m getting older, too
1- Angus and Julia stone – A heartbreak
Girl, you’re just a child
Falling in love
Girl, you’re just a child
A heartbreak.
This is definitely my favorite for Angus and Julia Stone.
P.S. I wish I had read this when I was thirteen.
Red spirited creatures 