Take Me To Your Leader Earthlings Bookworms,
I live in the land of the hypothetical, and I like it here. Have you ever wondered what aliens would think of humanity if viewed from a distance? I’ve read a couple of books in the last few years that tackle just this question. (No, I won’t tell you which books, because that would be mean and spoiler-y, but if you’ve read them, you can probably guess which ones I’m talking about.) In these books, aliens think of us the way we think of insects. Nobody wants a cockroach infestation in their new home, so it seems reasonable for them to fumigate the place before they move in. I mean, humans just icky bugs, right?
Alright… I’m not exactly compassionate about bugs moving into my house, but the ones I’ve met are never this articulate. (Source)
I got to thinking about which books I’d provide aliens with to prove that humans are more than just mindless vermin. I know there are a ton of really amazing intellectual type novels and classics that would show humanity’s artsy prowess, but that’s not really what speaks to me. I’m talking about compassion, people! I like flawed characters, I like redemption, I like tiny acts of kindness in a barren landscape of horrible. Sure, these are all fiction, but I have no doubt that such things go on. Dear Aliens, sometimes humans can be wonderful in spite of themselves. OBSERVE:
1. Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe
by Fannie Flagg. I know, I know, Buddy’s arm made my last list, but this book is so full of good stuff. I’m thinking in particular about Idgy and Grady teaming up to burgle trains and distribute food to starving people in shantytowns during the Great Depression. Grady had some questionable traits, (clubbing with the dudes in white sheets is NOT COOL) but darn it if he didn’t help Idgy figure out the train schedules and get food to people of all colors. I like to think his heart wasn’t in the hate.
2. The Book Thief
by Markus Zusak (see also Stones from the River
by Ursula Hegi.). Nazi Germany during WWII. Can you think of a darker time and place in human history? And yet, even in this hideous landscape, there were small pockets of goodness. People standing up to tyranny in ways large and small. Concealing a Jewish friend at great personal peril. Saving a book from burning. Being decent and not getting sucked into the gaping maw of hatred. That. (My Review)
3. Saving CeeCee Honeycutt
by Beth Hoffman. I’m reviewing this next week, but it’s so freaking heartwarming. It talks about mental illness with the confusion and compassion of a family member witnessing a loved one’s decline. It talks about picking up the shattered pieces of a broken life. It shows illustrates the power of friendship… I don’t care if anybody thinks it’s too darn sweet, I’ll go down swinging for the merits of CeeCee!
4. The Secret Life of Bees
by Sue Monk Kidd. This book was fabulous, but exceptionally appropriate because May is so kindhearted she won’t even kill bugs. That’s right, no killing of bugs. Don’t kill us, Aliens!!!
5. Plainsong 
by Kent Haruf. This book gives a fantastic portrait of small town life, the good, the bad, and the ugly. But there are some really fantastic characters. The middle aged McPheron brothers taking in the pregnant and penniless teen Victoria? With ZERO ulterior motives and a whole lot of heart? If that’s not compassionate, I don’t know what is! (My Review)
Hollywood fabrication, Aliens, I promise. You would get to pick out your own hat. (Source)
What about you, Bookworms? What books would you offer up to aliens as proof that humanity is worth saving?
*If you choose to make a purchase a purchase through a link on this site I will receive a small commission. I’ll use it to buy more heartwarming books so I can continue to argue on behalf of our planet.*
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Ciska @ Ciska's Book Chest
I would give them The Night Rainbow by Claire King to show how even the smallest among us have the strength to adapt to unexpected situation and make the best of it.
Quirky Chrissy
You made a Doctor Who joke and didn’t even know it!!
Words For Worms
Oh, I knew it. 🙂
Quirky Chrissy
Have you been watching the Doctor?!
Words For Worms
No, but it’s hard to escape the references. I learned what a Dalek was YEARS ago when my aunt knitted one for my cousin as a Christmas gift.
Tanya
These books are so great. Keep it up.
Andi (@estellasrevenge)
These are lovely choices. I like the idea of handing over The Book Thief, or something equally dark to represent those pockets of goodness and an overall sense of hope. Great list, deary!
Kerri
Maybe to Kill A Mockingbird? I have yet to meet a man as good as Atticus, but hope springs eternal.
Words For Worms
Excellent choice!
Monika
Well… maybe Matt Haig’s The Humans would be a good choice. Observations from a fellow alien might be convincing? 🙂
Words For Worms
It’s on my TBR!
Rory
Aliens scare me half to death. I can’t watch alien movies (I tried to watch Dark Skies recently, total fail).
Thinking, thinking…
I’ve got nothing, I need to read some more redeeming literature.
Words For Worms
Rory’s fear kryptonite is aliens?! I feel so close to you right now. We can bond over our chicken-ness.
Melinda
May is adorable! (The Secret Life of Bees)
I’m yet to read The Book Thief…that’s another book I will probably read after watching the movie, like The Hunger Games.
I have no idea what I would give up to them! My home? erm….
bhalsop
I confess I have read none of the books on your list. I know I’m woefully behind in the land of books that redeem me. I would be inclined to give them Stranger in a Strange Land. Although I do agree with To Kill a Mockingbird, too.