Hawaii by James A. Michener (1994)

Growing up I was a typical male child of the 50's. I played sports, was into cars and drag racing, and enjoyed rock music. The one thing I didn't do was read. I was dating a girl in the 9th grade who was carrying around this huge book with her everywhwere she went. One day I asked her about the book and she handed it to me. It was Hawaii, by some guy named James Michener, who I had never heard of in my life. I looked the book over and asked her what class it was for. She told me it was just 'fun reading'. I had never heard the expression and thought it an odd pairing of words kind of like army intelligence, government worker, and jumbo shrimp. She told me I was missing an entire world of enjoyment. I told her I see it it came to the movies. When she finished the book she gave it to me and dared me to read the first 100 pages, which I did. I have no idea what happened to the girl, but I know the book made a big, big impression on me. I laughed. I cried. I even enjoyed myself. The worst was the day I read the last page. It had been many years since I'd thought of Hawaii. Years ago, I read all of Michener's books, but Hawaii is still my favorite. I saw it the other day on EBay, so I bid and got it. I am on page 101 and loving it all over again. I plan to give it to my 26 year old daughter when I am finished. Read the first 100 pages, I dare you.

Gary