Field Notes Inside an Integrated Communications Agency

I love books. No, I really love books. Books can transport us to any time, place, or moment with the turn of a page and the swipe of our debit cards at Barnes and Noble. On one of my recent excursions to the mothership (B&N) I had a serious epiphany. Right there between The New Yorker and "Skinny Bitch" I noticed a section that I usually just pass over. Classics. How could I forget the Classics? As a book nerd and devoted student I've already read most of these books probably more times than I'd like to count. There's The Great Gatsby, The Sun Also Rises, Pride and Prejudice, Alice in Wonderland. Wait. Alice in Wonderland? How could I have always overlooked this timeless classic? I used to be obessed with this story. It was one of my favorites. Well, the Disney movie was one of my favorites. The actual chapter book, not so much.

So now adult Amy must read this classic story. And no, I refuse to believe this book is about drug use. (And any other self-respecting literature nerd will agree).

It's so strange/refreshing/hilarious/sad to read children's classics as an adult. (Please note however, that I am using the term adult very loosely here as I'm not sure anyone really is one). There were so many things people were trying to tell us when we growing up. Alice grows and shrinks after she drinks the potion. When I was seven I thought this was funny. But now I get that Carroll was trying to show the complexities of falling in and out of adulthood as we grow up. Sometimes full grown sometimes not. All the characters in Wonderland are total nutjobs. Alice seems like an adult compared to Mad Hatter. However, it's through the nonsensical children's games that Alice evolves and becomes an adult.

Peter Pan was full of this stuff too. Captain Hook is scared to death of the crocodile with the ticking clock. Seven year old me that this was just nonsense. But adult me gets that time is chasing after us every single day. No one wants to grow up and leave Neverland.

I think that everyone should take an occasional  jump down the rabbit hole. When we were children we didn't always understand these references or appreciate the beauty of the story. So once in awhile pour yourself a bowl of Trixx and learn some valuable life lessons from the classics. (Please also note: Trixx aren't just for kids).