the BEST book dedications ever!

[@vesch5083]

Those Lemony Snicket dedications brought me to tears. I don't think I've ever read anything more heartbreakingly romantic. I like to read the acknowledgements in books. I have found some hilarious ones

[@CarolynMarieReads]

Are they gorgeously heartbreaking?! Ooo yes! Maybe I’ll have to make a video about acknowledgments…👀

[@entrenchpodhost]

Have you read The Beatrice Letters??

[@CarolynMarieReads]

@@entrenchpodhost I haven’t 👀

[@entrenchpodhost]

@@CarolynMarieReads OMG, you should ASAP! It'll blow your mind. He puts at least one literal puzzle in it too (so more fun if you buy the book).

[@hasikakankanithantri8857]

The Brothers Karamazov is dedicated to Dostoevsky’s 3-year-old son, Alyosha, who died of epilepsy a couple years earlier. Dostoevsky goes onto say that readers should not feel obligated to read beyond the first page but for those who do, he hopes they realise that Alyosha (the character based on his deceased son) is the hero of the book. I can’t wait for you guys to read The Brothers Karamazov in May; you’ll get to decide for yourself if Alyosha is the true hero of the book! :)

[@ambermoon719]

Hasika 💗 Brothers Karamasov is my favorite novel, so far. It’s also precious because it’s the one that got me hooked on literature. I loved Aloysha immediately and I clung to the essence of him throughout the novel. His sensitivity and emotional depth was something I could relate to. So sad about Dostoyevsky’s son.

[@hasikakankanithantri8857]

@@ambermoon719 Alyosha, more than anyone real or fictional, convinced me that faith is the answer to nihilism. He suppressed any doubt I might have had beforehand. I can safely say that reading The Brothers Karamazov has changed my perspective on life.

[@cassia2049]

I read it last year… ❤ great great book. Want to read it again

[@cassia2049]

@@hasikakankanithantri8857 couldn’t agree more..

[@rossetarwen]

John Stuart Mill's dedication to his wife Harriet in "On Liberty, " is so memorable and touching. The first line (but please look up the rest!): "To the beloved and deplored memory of her who was the inspirer, and in part the author, of all that is best in my writings -- the friend and wife whose exalted sense of truth and right was my strongest incitement, and whose approbation was my chief reward- I dedicate this volume."

[@Tania.atlasinajar]

Such a sentimental and beautiful thing that can often be overlooked by readers. ☺️😊

[@CarolynMarieReads]

Definitely! ✨

[@LexieMoon321]

I love looking at the dedications! My favorite one is, out of ALL of the books I have read, from IT by Stephen King. It’s really sweet (and considering what you are going into…you kinda need it 😅)

[@Tania.atlasinajar]

@@LexieMoon321 now you are making me curious! It of all books? Very curious! Gonna look it up now 👀

[@JungianHeights]

I have recently released a poetry collection with Anxiety Press called ‘The Maggot on Maple Street’, and my book is dedicated to my late boyfriend. We were long distance and met the same year he died, 2020. We never got to meet in person because of the pandemic, but we spent nine months together. The dedication is “For S, you fought a hard game of chess.” This is a reference to his favourite film, The Seventh Seal, where the main character plays chess against death in order to escape him.

[@CarolynMarieReads]

I’m so sorry for your loss! Your dedication is incredibly moving, and such a beautiful way to honor him! Sending you my warmest wishes! ❤️

[@JungianHeights]

@@CarolynMarieReads ❤️

[@denisefreitas6727]

So sorry for your loss, Courtenay. Lots of love to you! ❤️

[@pendragon2012]

I agree--a good dedication can make the book! A.A. Milne to his wife in the second Pooh book: "You gave me Christopher Robin/And breathed new life in Pooh/Whatever of each has left my pen/Goes homing back to you." P.S. As a Social Studies teacher I often parrot Lemony Snicket: "I wish I could end the story here and you can imagine a happy ending. But that's not how the story goes."

[@lauf22]

One book I recently bought just because the dedication was so amazing is the fifth season. The dedication reads as follows: For all those who have to fight for the respect that everyone else is given without question. I mean how beautiful is that 😍

[@haleybee116]

I knew the lion the witch and the wardrobe was coming as soon as the video started!

[@CarolynMarieReads]

It’s just so good 🥹

[@sophiaisabelle01]

We appreciate your content. Keep up the good work.

[@CarolynMarieReads]

And I appreciate your kind words and sweet support 😊

[@ariadni3917]

Thanks to you Carolyn I read my first Fredrik Backmam and Never Let me Go and they didn't disappoint one bit! Sending you my warmest wishes😊

[@CarolynMarieReads]

Extremely happy to hear this! ✨

[@marianobilbao893]

I have never seen your videos, and this one popped out of nowhere, and it was a tiny and warm joy. It really moved me, and I wanted to tell you how greatful I am for you to sharing those dedications. Im from Argentina, and Borges has some dedications you could like. I will write it in spanish, because i think I can´t translate it without taking beauty away from it. I hope you could understand it, and if that is the case, I really hope you like it: A Leonor Acevedo de Borges Quiero dejar escrita una confesión, que a un tiempo será íntima y general, ya que las cosas que le ocurren a un hombre les ocurren a todos. Estoy hablando de algo ya remoto y perdido, los días de mi santo, los más antiguos. Yo recibía los regalos y yo pensaba que no era más que un chico y que no había hecho nada, absolutamente nada, para merecerlos. Por supuesto, nunca lo dije; la niñez es tímida. Desde entonces me has dado tantas cosas y son tantos los años y los recuerdos. Padre, Norah, los abuelos, tu memoria y en ella la memoria de los mayores -los patios, los esclavos, el aguatero, la carga de los húsares del Perú y el aprobio de Rosas-, tu prisión valerosa, cuando tantos hombres callábamos, las mañanas del Paso del Molino, de Ginebra y de Austin, las compartidas claridades y sombras, tu fresca ancianidad, tu amor a Dickens y a Eça de Queirós, Madre, vos misma. Aquí estamos hablando los dos, et tout le reste est littérature, como escribió, con excelente literatura, Verlaine. JLB. (His preface are just so amazing that maybe could inspire another video).

[@samsamita5260]

This is by far my favourite video! Your voice is beautiful like your face. I could listen to you all day everyday. Thank you for a wonderful content as always ❤

[@MartinDSmith]

Once upon a time I gave as a going home present a copy of The Little Prince to an Italian friend.I'm sure she has it to this day.Of course they are all beautiful dedications you read out.Enjoy your 2023 reads and thanks to both you and Emma for the Dickens v Tolstoy journey!❤️

[@melissakalloway1916]

Hello, Carolyn Marie. I enjoyed your unique perspective on gaining insight to the minds of these authors. Two things: one is the dedication in the book, "The Giver". The word used in UNtrust, not ENtrust. Quite a difference in meaning. Two: have you ever read, discussed "Heidi" by Johanna Spyri? The story has been so dumbed down and stripped of its richness by modern movies and translations, that it has become nearly unrecognizable. If you ever decide to read/review it, treat yourself to the oldest translation from German to English you can get your hands on. The story pulls you in from the first paragraph and you will find yourself sitting up until 2 AM, unable to put it down until the extremely satisfying end. 😊

[@snapstories9395]

One of my favorite opening lines is from Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery (featuring, yours truly, Mrs. Rachel Lynde!): "Mrs. Rachel Lynde lived just where the Avonlea main road dipped down into a little hollow, fringed with alders and ladies' eardrops, and traversed by a brook that had its source away back in the woods of old Cuthbert place;" That's not the whole thing but it's still a beautiful part of it! ♥

[@__rishikasingh]

OH MY GOD What a mind-blowing, sweet video ! I adored it ! It's by far the best video of yours carolyn ❤️

[@CarolynMarieReads]

Aw I’m extremely glad you think so! ❤️

[@marianaharrison6307]

I almost screamed when you mentioned Posthumous Memoirs of Brás Cubas! One of the best books I've ever read, it really should be better known outside Brazil!

[@thebookblah]

Your gorgeous love for books and stories is so so strongly felt here, Carolyn. Thank you so much for this video. 💕💜

[@CarolynMarieReads]

Thank *you* for watching and leaving such a sweet comment! ✨

[@MrD5914]

The Little Prince dedication was amazing. I had to replay you reading it twice bc it was so unbelievably deep and amazing. Wow. Stunned.

[@booksandme397]

I love reading dedication in books I also love dedications that authors give to their family friends it's amazing My fav. Is From funny you should ask It's called " to John my every story is love story because of you"

[@justjenfriend9586]

East of Eden is a MUST read! All I can say is “timshel” ❤.

[@lorraineleach128]

More than seventy years ago I was given a book set of The Little Prince and The Littlest Angel. To this day I still have The Littlest Angel and will never part with it. It is just a beautiful story that always brings tears to my eyes. Love your videos, thank you for all your knowledge of literature.

[@CarolynMarieReads]

That’s wonderful! Thank *you* for watching and being so kind :)

[@jamesduggan7200]

Thx Carolyn. Finished February's Steinbeck this morning; nothing else to report. Have a nice day.

[@subtlefire7256]

I know you've been wanting to read East of Eden for a while, and it's got a beautiful dedication. ;)

[@CarolynMarieReads]

It does indeed 👀😆

[@shuwei9420]

I wasn't expecting this video to make me cry ahhhh

[@shaggyherur]

Carolyn I wish you narrated audiobooks - l could listen to your voice allllll day 💆‍♀

[@CarolynMarieReads]

Awww I’d love to and definitely would if I had the time and opportunity 😂 So sweet of you to say 😊

[@ericjessee376]

C.S. Lewis was a amazing writer . I in the past paid little attention to , my loss. Recently gave a gift of a collection of his books / C.S. Lewis Signature Classics , 8 Apolgetics Philosophy type stories , it has the wisdom of a Marcus Aurelias but far more sensitive .... just beautiful and more wisdom than expected .

[@LeaReads]

Not me sobbing at the first dedication 😭

[@CarolynMarieReads]

Same 🥹

[@denisefreitas6727]

Carolyn, i'd like to thank you for this beautiful video. It brights my day. Yesterday was a terrible day in my country, Brazil. I'm really needing all these amazing dedications! So cool you picked one by Machado de Assis! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@__rishikasingh]

I've already watched this 5 times and I'll not shy away from watching it for another 500 times ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@aaaamnaaaa]

I listened to the whole video just to see whether Bras Cubas would be included so that I could recommend it if it wasn't because it's my favourite dedication (along with the little prince) but it was! and it's absolutely 100% worth reading it will be like nothing you've read before. And my favourite opening line is no kidding anna karenina!

[@jmsl910]

any book dedicated to a mom, makes my heart sing

[@stews9]

What a wonderful notion for a video. Brava, as always, Carolyn. Wonderful choices.

[@stutiduttaa]

You are really amazing...I appreciate the way you make your videos...love it!!

[@CarolynMarieReads]

Aw thank you so much! You’re incredibly kind 😌

[@seyma1509]

What a lovely video🥰I'm currently reading The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle and it has one of the most beautiful opening paragraphs that I've ever read and its dedication also made me smile. The dedication goes like this; "To the memory of Dr. Olfert Dapper who saw a wild unicorn in the Maine woods in 1673, and for Robert Nathan, who has seen one or two in Los Angeles." And these are the first few sentences: "The unicorn lived in a lilac wood, and she lived all alone. She was very old, though she did not know it, and she was no longer the careless color of sea foam, but rather the color of snow falling on a moonlit night. But her eyes were still clear and unwearied, and she still moved like a shadow on the sea." 💞

[@mrodriguez377]

The Little Prince is also my all-time favorite book since I read it at 7 years old. I could listen to you read it beginning to end and over again ❣️

[@Cubehead27]

I love the C.S. Lewis one with my whole heart 💖 also a very short one but "To some ladies at Wantage" (apparently a reference to some Anglican nuns that serves as the dedication to Lewis's novel "Perelandra", which is probably my favourite of his fictions) always sticks in my head and I don't know why

[@lenoraberendt750]

‘The Little Prince’ is also my favorite book of all time. So glad you mentioned it in today’s vlog. It is definitely time for me to re-read it…once again. 🤗

[@sherrirabinowitz4618]

My favorite dedication is from the Mystery of the Blue Train by Agatha Christie; the dedication is; "To the two distinguished members of the O.F.D. - Carlotta and Peter" O.F.D. stood for Order of the Faithful Dogs , this book was written after her disappearance, she escaped the press by going to the Canary Islands with her daughter and because of the horrible time she went through, it is her most hated book, (though I love it.) Carlotta was her secretory and her daughter's governess, but she was really her closest and most loyal friend and Peter was her beloved dog, who was loving and cuddly when she most needed it.

[@sausana2501]

Ive been watching you for a long time but I rarely ever comment. But I guess its about time I say this: You arent just a great speaker with a wonderful taste in books! Ur also absolutely stunning a joy to look at!

[@tabbathaskye9661]

Omg you have me tearing up at work 😭😭 love those dedications!! 🥹 all of the series of unfortunate, literally had my heart breaking cause it reminds me of me missing my mom

[@eugeniekruijt2853]

I literally just started a journal collecting my favourite first lines, now i might have to start another one for defications...

[@CarolynMarieReads]

Ooo yes!

[@sophhnavarro]

I absolutely loved A Man Called Ove, so I'm looking forward to reading Anxious People :)

[@mediumjohnsilver]

_The Great Gatsby_ has one of the most iconic last lines, too. It is engraved on Scott and Zelda’s grave, which I sometimes visited when I lived in Rockville, Maryland, within walking distance of the cemetery.

[@yidayin]

Hiii Carolyn, happy new year! when I saw the video title, I knew the little Prince would be in it because it has the best dedication. I love listening to you read the little Prince, and maybe you should consider making a audio book of it.Finally, I also have a little Prince tattoo😍I wish I could show you

[@blackheartbooks]

The Little Prince one gave me goosebumps

[@libertywilliams458]

I seriously just stare at your hair every time I watch you videos. It's so lovely 😍

[@SylviaGdeVries]

What a great idea for a video! And... hair goals always!

[@CarolynMarieReads]

Aw I’m so glad you think so! Thank you 😆💕

[@myrtolefk]

When i saw this title i immediately thought of the series of unfortunate events! Even though i was so young when i read it I still remember the dedications they really left an impression on me and now i'm considering rereading the series as an adult!

[@rondoflicflac]

Love this!!! Thanks for sharing xx

[@WhyNot-WhyNott]

This was amazing ❤

[@tebereartsfoundation2099]

F.S.Fitz...has the best opening of a book in the whole world!

[@AdrianasWonderland]

i absolutely love narnia, i wrote my ba thesis on it! also i love leomy snicket

[@camilabenevenuto]

I just love reading the dedications… my most recent favor is The Winners ❤

[@CarolynMarieReads]

Can’t go wrong with Fredrik Backman!

[@felix__93]

Wow... I sounded exactly like you after you finished reading the C. S, Lewis's dedication... OMG. What is thattttt 🥺

[@maryreadspoetry]

Your hair is absolutely gorgeous 😍❤️ I wish I had curly hair like yours 😍

[@SaraMakesArt]

I never thought a lot about book dedications before watching this video, but I don't think I'll read another book without looking at the dedication page.

[@ha_limabeanz]

CAROLYN!! Im currently reading a farewell to arms for the a game of tomes book club and my best friend just called me to tell me shes at Hemingway's house and she just gave me a virtual tour why do I miss out 😭😭

[@isabellaschneider5203]

Carolyn, I'm brazilian and I really enjoy watching your videos. And I need to tell you: read Machado de Assis!!!! You´re gonna love it, it's so great, fun and interesting. I would love to know your opinion about it!

[@CarolynMarieReads]

Hi Isabella! I'm so happy to hear that! I have a feeling I'm going to love it too! I'll try to read it soon :)

[@strawberrysocks2835]

The funniest dedication I've ever read was in Austenland by Shannon Hale: "For Colin Firth. You're a really great guy, but I'm married, so I think we should just be friends."

[@syedanamazhassan8084]

Makeup , House Tour , A walk with Willow , Shopping , Skin care , Visit Emmie again , Those videos were Fun !!

[@pandareads]

whenever an author dedicates the book to the readers I get a bit emotional 🥰

[@xylh5085]

Oh snap I forgot about East of Eden! I've heard that it's next level

[@darkpoethd._]

Hahaha I didn’t hear the title for the first one and I wasn’t watching that second and I was like: Ha that reminds of Narnia I should recommend it for the video. And then I saw the book you were holding😂🤦🏻‍♀️

[@LazyOverachiever]

I love looking for the dedications in books! I can't believe there's some readers who just skip it entirely

[@alysa9950]

The best recommendation video idea . Thank you thank you thank you! This was so beautiful I could cry.

[@CarolynMarieReads]

You’re so kind I could cry! 🥹

[@LexieMoon321]

The C.S. Lewis dedication was just a bundle of serotonin 🥺

[@CarolynMarieReads]

Agreed 🥹

[@aliarobinson6617]

if you don't read east of eden this year I'm going to come find you and read it to you! :)

[@CarolynMarieReads]

Thank you 😂 drastic measures really do need to be taken if I don’t read it this year!

[@Ergmermerg]

I'm taking Neil Gaiman's Masterclass right now. It's so wonderful to hear him talk! He narrates many of his audiobooks with that lovely voice of his.

[@iamnotyourall]

Surprisingly The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern doesn't have a dedication (at least in my copy), but I love the first few lines: "There is a pirate in the basement. (The pirate is a metaphor but also still a person.) (The basement could rightly be considered a dungeon.) The pirate was placed here for numerous acts of a piratey nature considered criminal enough for punishment by those non-pirates who decide such things."

[@malissamoench8587]

I didn't see any other west-coasters correct you here, so I feel i need to mention it so that you are prepared for a proper reading of it 😊 From the East of Eden first lines... "Monterey" sounds like "monta ray".

[@CatherineLambert-fz7pd]

Narniaaaaa ❤

[@kurtfox4944]

First paragraph: Dickens' Tale of Two cities first paragraph/page is probably the best of Dickens.

[@mrodriguez377]

I love crying at literature 💖

[@caitlin1008]

"For the ones who dream of stranger worlds" by V.E Schwab (I think it's the first book in the Darker shade of magic trilogy)

[@CarolynMarieReads]

That’s so lovely! 😌✨

[@danielg3918]

I was ready to complain if Bras Cubas wasn't on this list 🤣

[@CarolynMarieReads]

😆

[@emmaloris]

Carolyn I forever love and cheer at your inability to only read the first sentence of a book 😊

[@CarolynMarieReads]

Yeah hahaha I can’t help myself! 😂

[@hollyludlow2460]

I’m going to be reading the little prince before bed tonight

[@margueritemitchell1829]

Hello from British Columbia Canada 🇨🇦🖐👍♥️🥓🐪🍳🐙🦝🌲🚴‍♀️🥳💧🎀❄🌨

[@syedanamazhassan8084]

Girl do a makeupd tutorial OR a house tour Or a Q and A I mean anything apart from reading amazing books and painting gorgeous pictures ..... No offense..... but really we wanna know about u Carolyn

[@rjtxnj]

I wish to have friend like you)

[@AlexandraJane21]

Wait a sec, I did not have crying on my calendar today.

[@CarolynMarieReads]

😂 I’m sorry, but I’m also not sorry…

[@Lyleelou11]

Hemingway and Fitzgerald were actually close friends!

[@CarolynMarieReads]

Yes!

[@cindyurban150]

Hi Carolyn, I'm confused with the "The Givers" dedication. It says "Untrust",not entrust ? Am I seeing this wrong ?

[@Christine-jg2ch]

Dedication in Caimh McDonnell’s book ‘Disaster Inc’: Please note, as the author and main character of this book are both from Ireland, it is written in the version of English that is standard there. So recognise is spellled recognise and not recognize etc. The author recognises some North American readers may find upsetting and while he is of course scared of them, he is considerably more scared of his Mammy, who taught him how to spell. Nevertheless, here are a bunch of Z’s for you to mentally stick in as and when you choose. Zzzzzzz. Look, they look like a mummy duck and little ducks. Adorable! 😂

[@Lyleelou11]

I’m glad that you also do a fake british accent 🤣❤️

[@CarolynMarieReads]

All the time 😂

[@jennyyeh4730]

Pleaseeeeee read east of Eden next !!!!!

[@CarolynMarieReads]

I probably won’t read it next, but I will read it soon!!

[@jennyyeh4730]

@@CarolynMarieReads it’s a good “summer” book because it takes place in California valley ! Happy reading

[@asan1050]

CarolynMarieReads Thanks Much!, and your face still looks dark! just kidding, don't let the little things in life bother you, Life is way too short, Have a great day!!!