I LOVED how Nicola Yoon mentioned carpe diem throughout this book! When I was in the 7th grade, my history teacher played us a clip from Dead Poet’s Society and introduced us to the concept of “carpe diem,” or seize the day. That made such an impact on me (as many teachers do!) and every time I come up with a situation, I aim to react in a way to make the most out of my life
Fun Fact: I also got a tattoo of “carpe diem” about a decade after that seventh grade class. Thank you to Mr. Maben, wherever you are.
Moving onto quotes from “Instructions for Dancing,” which left me in tears throughout:
“Happiness is tricky. Sometimes you have to fight for it. Sometimes, though-the best times-it sneaks up behind you, wraps an arm around your waist and pulls you close.”
“‘Here’s what I think. If you get very, very lucky in this life, then you get to love another person so hard and so completely that when you lose them, it rips you apart. I think the pain is the proof of a life well lived and loved.’”
P.S. I truly love reading a book and then reading the author’s note/acknowledgements. Nicola Yoon said it best when she shared, “Throughout this process-this remaking of my world-I wrote. Writing has always saved me, and I thought it would again.”
I feel the same.
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