Russell ContrerasVerified account

3. I gave my dad a tour of the fair and told him in my best sad-eyes how much I had longed to buy a book there. He was easily persuaded. I picked out “Walk Two Moons” by Sharon Creech.

4. He wouldn’t let me have it until he inscribed it — he said all books given as gifts must have a dedication — and later that day I got my brand new spanking paperback with a note in all-caps, which is how my dad always writes.

5. I wish I remember what it said. What I remember is gluing my eyes to “Walk Two Moons.” I read it on bathroom floor (probably to get away from my sister, whom I shared a room with). I remember feeling confused about some parts and captivated by all of them.

6. I read that book many times before it got lost somewhere, my dad’s inscription with it. And then I bought another copy, which I found this week in a bin in my daughter’s playroom.

7. I read “Walk Two Moons” again yesterday. It holds up. It made me cry. It made me feel like a kid again, sitting on a bathroom floor, living inside the life of Salamanca Tree Hiddle. It’s a children’s book, yes, and sad in many ways too.

8. But it’s also a story of coming to terms with the life we’ve been dealt, which is something I’m finding hard to do in. The indefinite-ness of when I’m going to see my parents stomps on my nerves more than even the thought of getting sick or dying.

9. I wish that I had that original copy, with my dad’s message. I get to see him on FaceTime, but I want to see his all-caps handwriting. I want to know what he wrote. I want to go back to a place where my biggest problem is that my parents won’t buy me books at an inflated price

10. Anyway, this is a long-winded, insomnia-inspired way of saying that I love re-reading old books. Do you have a book you’ve read over and over? Which is it? Why?