Caps for Sale - SOLD! to the reluctant girl in the gray sweater

As an architecture major in college, Ayn Rand’s The Fountainhead was the book to read. I could not bring myself to read it. I waited until years later, when I had exhausted all other literary options, had almost completely forgotten about its existence and it seemed the least likely book for me to read. Only then did I bend open the cover, feeling like I had really discovered something. I then went on to devour everything Ayn Rand had ever written. I’m crazy like that.

Today I picked up Caps For Sale in a very similar manner.

I had formerly resigned myself to never read it. Over the years numerous people expressed their shock, “You haven’t read Caps for Sale?!” I’ve thumbed through it countless times, but the only reason for bringing it home would have been hearsay. The artwork didn’t inspire me and neither did the plot. And I love the joy of discovering my own literary treasure, the pleasure of a good find.

When my fingers stumbled over five copies of it on a library shelf this morning, curiosity finally got the best of me. It was curiosity plain and simple, not former recommendations -- just sheer wonder at the public demand that would necessitate at least five copies of the same book.

The boys and I tried it out over lunch this afternoon. Despite my skepticism, it was a hit. Though it may never be a personal favorite, as a read-aloud, it was quite entertaining. The text allowed me to exercise my very limited thespian abilities, which, loosely translated, means it gave me an excuse to act like an enthusiastic lunatic as my boys laughed their heads off.

Literary Lesson of the Day: Don’t be stubborn about literature. Let the kids bring the final verdict.