April 16, 2023

Nostalgic Excitement

I honestly can't remember the last time I went to the movie theater. Okay, wait--I just looked back in my blog (one of the things that is helpful about writing daily) and it was in October 2019 when Jerry and I went to see Friends. They were showing four episodes of the TV show Friends on the big screen, and being huge Friends fans, of course we went!


Then the pandemic happened and the next thing I know, it's been almost four years since the last time I went to the movies. (Feel free to correct me if I'm remembering wrong.)

Anyway, I saw something on Facebook yesterday that made me so excited! I don't know why I was targeted for a particular sponsored post (maybe because I mentioned this book a couple of times 100 years ago on my blog) but I am so glad I happened to see it yesterday... one of my very very favorite childhood books is a movie that will be released in theaters this month!

Does anyone remember the book "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret." by Judy Blume? I probably read that book at least 50 times between the ages of 11 and 13. 

It was published in 1970; I was born in 1982 and it was still a well-known, well-received book. I'm actually very surprised that the book wasn't made into a movie already.

Several years ago, I looked it up on Amazon and saw that it had been revised and updated, which bummed me out because I wanted to read the same edition I read as a pre-teen. And then it was like God *was* there, because at a garage sale, I happened to find the 1978 copy I knew and loved.


When I bought a Kindle Paperwhite in 2017(?) I got rid of almost all of the actual physical books I owned--it freed up so much space. However, I saved the ones that were special to me--books that had been signed, were gifted to me in a meaningful way, or good reference books for things like running--and, of course, "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret." That is how much I love this book.

Considering most of the people that read my blog are middle-aged women, I wouldn't be surprised if many have read it and loved it as well. It's a coming-of-age book (very much targeted to preteen girls) about all of the things that were going on my own life at the time--bras and periods and boys and general self-awkwardness.

I am super excited to see the movie, even though I'm guessing it's the "revised and updated" version of the copy I love. I really hope that it sticks to the original, taking place in the 1960s, but regardless--I want to see it. Jerry even said he would go with me, hahaha. (That is true love right there.)

I haven't read anything about the movie and I didn't watch the trailer or even look at the cast. I just read that it's being released in theaters on April 28th. I'm choosing not to learn anything about it because I want to stay hopeful that I will love it--if I do, it'll be a nice surprise.

I pulled out my 1978 copy of the book last night so that I can read it again before going to see the movie. The price listed on the book made me laugh--$1.25! (That is the original price, not what I paid at a garage sale--which was probably a quarter.)

Now, it's a rainy, windy Sunday evening, and it's the perfect weather to get cozy in my pajamas and curl up with some tea and read "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret." I never expected that this would be my idea of a fun Saturday night, but there honestly isn't anything I'd rather be doing. I didn't read this copy after buying it at a garage sale, so I can't remember the last time I read the book. I'm sure once I start, the nostalgia will hit me ;) 

Anyone else excited about this movie? Or just love the book in general?

7 comments:

  1. I can just SMELL that book- there is that certain smell that the old well loved paperback books all have after years of sitting on a shelf, and I love it. I don't recall if I've ever read this book, though I've certainly heard of it. I hope you love the movie when it comes out!

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  2. One of my very favorites as a kid - I am excited to see it.

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  3. I LOVED that book growing up!! I was born in 1989 but I vividly remember the day I found that book at the library and decided to check it out. I re-read it maybe 5 times in the span that I had my library rental of the book! I came back to it multiple times during my adolescence. I didn't know the book was revised which does kind of bum me out but I do really want to see the movie! Now who can I drag with me is the question ;)

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  4. So glad this is bringing you joy!

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  5. Lol well I was born in 1966 so that was a contemporary book in my youth. 😂 I did love that book growing up and now in hindsight, I certainly did not need to do any exercises chanting "I must increase my bust" so if I did, I know where I can place the blame for that. 🤣

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  6. I loved that book when I was younger. I hope the movie stays true to the original book.

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  7. I was wondering how the book might have been revised and updated. It looks as if the changes were minor and done by Blume herself: https://rewirenewsgroup.com/2007/08/16/honoring-teens-sexual-reality-judy-blume/

    Also ... apparently Blume refused for years to sell movie rights, but these people talked her into it by reassuring her that their vision was close to hers, and she loves the movie. I'm planning to go see it tomorrow.

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