Shabby Sunday is a weekly meme created by my dear friend, Mischenko, at ReadRantRockandRoll to highlight cherished vintage books in her own collection. Please check out a recent Shabby Sunday post of hers here: Shabby Sunday.
I moved frequently, especially during childhood and college/grad school, and it was only recently that I found a stash of vintage books from my collection.
My next Shabby Sunday share is the first book I remember reading about the Holocaust, Night by Elie Wiesel. While first published in 1960, my copy is the 1986 edition from Bantam Books. I first read the book several years after that. 😉
Night was required “summer reading” before my 9th grade year of high school. I was “that kid,” and I am sure many of us were, who looked forward to the summer reading choices. I had no idea what I would learn within the pages of this slim book.
The pages are deeply yellow now from years of storage in a cardboard box in various humid places.
I re-read this copy in college, and one more time since then, but my memory for the first time reading is what stands out most. I viscerally remember the experience of holding this book in my trembling hands in my bedroom with my mauve bedspread and posters on the walls, feeling utter horror and disbelief that humanity had not only been forgotten, there was no humanity whatsoever.
We all know our reading shapes us. Night is not only an important book, it is a pivotal book for the time in which it was written and for the time right now.
Synopsis from Goodreads:
Born into a Jewish ghetto in Hungary, as a child, Elie Wiesel was sent to the Nazi concentration camps at Auschwitz and Buchenwald. This is his account of that atrocity: the ever-increasing horrors he endured, the loss of his family and his struggle to survive in a world that stripped him of humanity, dignity and faith. Describing in simple terms the tragic murder of a people from a survivor’s perspective, Night is among the most personal, intimate and poignant of all accounts of the Holocaust. A compelling consideration of the darkest side of human nature and the enduring power of hope, it remains one of the most important works of the twentieth century.
Thanks for reading my Shabby Sunday post inspired by Mischenko! Do you hold on to shabby, vintage books? Do you have any favorites from your childhood? Have you read Night, and if you have, what did you think? Happy Reading! Jennifer THR
Jennifer, this is such an important book and a wonderful shabby share! Our copy is newer, but this is one of those books I’ll never forget and will always keep. Thanks so much for sharing it! 🧡❤🧡😘
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Thanks, favorite M, and thanks again for creating this fun meme! I’m glad you have read and found this book important, too. 💗 xo
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I’ve had this book on my shelf forever. Thanks for the great reminder to read it.
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Oh, yes, Jonetta, it is a must-read. I am certain you’ll find it a worthy read once you are able to get to it.
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I have not read this one. I enjoy your shabby Sunday Post. Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks, Virginia! I appreciate that! I hope you enjoy your Sunday! 💜
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Interesting and I like this meme Jenn!
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Thanks, Holls! It’s a fun meme for us bibliophiles!
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Wow, lovely review Jen! Not sure if I could handle reading this one….📚💖☕
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Thanks, Sus! It’s definitely a heartrending book. 💕
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Nice share Jennifer, I’m not even familiar with this book myself.
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Thanks, Carrie! Back in the 90s, Oprah brought a lot of attention to it. I think she selected it for book club. Before that, I don’t think it was as mainstream as it is now.
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Ah well that explains it, I was out of school before it became popular then. LOL
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I’m afraid I can never bring myself to read books about people’s experiences of the Holocaust – such a dreadful period of history. But I’m still glad they exist – it’s important that we remember the humanity (or inhumanity) rather than just dates and numbers. My oldest book that I still have is probably my copy of the Sherlock Holmes stories – I got it when I was about ten, so it’s a few years old now… 😉
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Just a few years old, I know! 😉 In my first Shabby Sunday post, I noticed I was calling my book from first grade “vintage.” Since when did something I own become vintage? Yikes! 😊
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Wonderful review Jennifer! I actually still have the copy of this I got in high school and I’ve reread it many times. It’s definitely shabby with the spine loosening, and dog eared pages, but I’d never give it up unless the pages started falling out.
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Thanks, Kim! Oh, that’s so special to me that you hung on to your high school copy too! I will never part with my copy either. I plan to have it forever.
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Required summer reading? I wish we had that here, I would have been happy. I don’t know this book but is something I’d like to read. The only book I kept from my school days (I think) is Sophie’s World but I’ve been thinking of donating it because I actually don’t see myself rereading it anymore.
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Yes, it was the best! They assigned several classics. I think I read The Awakening by Kate Chopin that summer as well. I had not heard of Sophie’s World, but now I’m intrigued! I definitely highly recommend Night if you can work it in. It’s a slim book, not much over 100 pages, but intense and raw. Thanks for stopping by to chat with me, Inge!
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Sophie’s World was a mandatory read for my psychology class, it’s not a story story but more textbook psychology througout history (Plato’s ideas etc), presented as a story but I’m interested in these ideas :-). Night is definitely in a genre I like, I can’t believe I hadn’t heard of it before!
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You’ve made Sophie’s World sound even more interesting to me, Inge! I’ve not run across it in my psychology courses! I love that each of us found a previously unknown read!
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Ah me too 😃
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I’d not heard of this book before, but ‘m definitely interested in reading it! A great meme to discover fantastic vintage books!
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Oh, yes, Janel, this one is a must! A difficult read, but completely worth the emotion. Isn’t this meme fun?!
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Beautiful review Jennifer. This sounds quite emotional and I can only imagine the impact that it had on you at that age. Your memory of when you first read it is quite moving. I can almost picture you back then. Haven’t read this one but I feel like its an important read that I need on my TBR!
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Thank you, Diana. I can almost see myself reading it back then, too. Such a powerful experience. This is a slim book, so it doesn’t take much time to read it, but it will definitely leave its imprint on your heart.
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I haven’t read this Jen but I certainly think I need to now! Coincidentally I’ve just finished a thriller set partly in Buchenwald concentration camp and it was so harrowing! 😱
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Yes, Beth, it is definitely a must-read if you can fit this slim book on your shelf. Oh, I can’t wait to hear about that thriller! It sounds like one I would enjoy too!
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😊😊😊 tomorrow’s post! 😬😬😬
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I wouldn’t miss it for the world! ♥️
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Isn’t deeply yellowed pages kind of bitter sweet? On one hand, it feels like they’ve lived through it all and have a past, they’re authentic survivors. Yet, on the other hand it’s kind of sad, like they need saving in a way… great pick! Oh, and believe it or not, my room was totally mauve as a teen too!! 😁😎🤓
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So true, Didi! I love that you had a mauve room, too! We moved a few times, but one of my rooms had lavender walls and pink carpet because I couldn’t decide if pink or purple was my favorite. I bet the next people changed it fast! 😂
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HAHAH sounds like a unique blend! I love it!
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I haven’t read this book! Sadly, it was not required reading for me… I’m pretty sure my friend may have given me a copy of it, though! I should really check that out!
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Yes, you should try to read it at some point. It’s considered a modern classic now I think? It’s a slim book, not even 200 pages, but probably not one you would read quickly just because it’s difficult material.
I’m so excited! I see a bunch of Nicole comments coming right up! Woo hoo!
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I know! It’s been so long!!! I’m sorry I was so behind. It’s been a crazy couple of weeks! 😕 I’m hoping that things will start to get back on track now.. We’ll see. 😊
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No need to apologize! You went above and beyond trying to catch up, and not everyone has time to do that. You are pretty amazing in my book! ♥️
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Thank you! The reason I always want to catch up is because I think YOU are amazing! ❤️😍😁
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♥️ 💗 💕
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