Belle Radio

I thought I had a favorite book. It was called “Milkweed” and I purely called it my favorite because, well, it was the only book I had ever truly read. Milkweed is a perfectly fine book, your average WW2 tale about a Jewish boy on the run, a sad ending, and probably a lesson to be learned. I liked it later on for its comfort, I knew what to expect and knew everything by heart. Recently as some of you may recall I got a lot of second hand books, some popular titles, some obscure ones that simply caught my eye. I’ll be honest. I’m not *good* at reading, I can read but I can’t READ if that makes sense. For some strange supernatural reason, baby Jesus himself spoke to me and told me to pick this book off my shelf and read it. I’ve always loved cowboys and westerns, ever since I was a kid I’ve dreamed of being a cowboy on the run. Yet, the female representation was truly lacking in the classic 1960’s western films I’d come to love, some barely feature women at all. I saw this book while thrifting. “Outlawed” it says in the stereotypical western font. I didn’t expect much of it, but I love cowboys, so I gave it a shot. I do not have words to describe the absolute positive impact this book had on me. Not only did I resonate with its main character but I actually feel the story. I truly feel like I’m a woman on the run. I relate it to my real life scenarios and cry while reading every page because I feel something new everytime. I have finally found the female cowboy I’ve been searching for my whole life. I finally found the book I’ve been searching for my whole life. Anna North truly encapsulates what it means to be a woman, both in the Wild West and todays America. A story of love and sadness, hope and disappointment. It leaves me clamoring for more even though I know no other western book or movie can make me feel what this story has made me feel. This is the kinda book I’d bring with me everywhere for no reason just incase I perchance can bring it up in conversation, the kinda book I’d write home about, the kinda book that makes me cry happily. I don’t consider myself a reader, not by any means. This book has taught me all over again what joy is rooted in, simplicity. I enjoy cowboys, so I should read a cowboy book, and I did! And look at me! I’m writing about the book I thought would be corny and cheesy, like so many other western books have come to be. I have never recommended a book before, but, if you like cowboys or are willing to give them a try then I can’t suggest this title enough. Billy The Kid himself would love it too and THAT I can promise you 😉.