Why I Love...Gone with the Wind

I am returning with my new feature...Why I love which takes place onWednesdays    In the previous weeks I've discussed my favorite author, time period, reading spot,  one of my favorite series, my favorite book institution,  types of characters, and one of my favorite genres.  This week's topic: favorite book.


If you want to play along, feel free to grab the image and link your post in the comments.  I promise I will proide a linky next week.  I know there are a few people that are interested but this week has been crazy.  I will research next week.  Promise.  Here goes.
 Why I Love...Gone with the WindGone with the Wind is my all-time favorite book.  The school I attended in the fifth grade had a program called the accelerated reader program which awarded points for finishing and testing on books.  Each book was assigned a certain amount of points.  Well...Gone with the Wind was worth more than any other book by a long shot.  Being the slacker that I am, I chose to read and test on this book for the points.  Boy did I luck up!
I fell in love with the story and the characters and it was probably my biggest reading accomplishment to date (over 1000 pages).  I love this book for so many reasons.  Let me count the ways.
First, who doesn't love Rhett Butler and Scarlet O'Hara.  Scarlet is selfish, selfish, and more selfish!  But I like her because she's a fighter and a survivor.  I wouldn't call her nice or anything, but no matter what she did, she took care of her family and made sure they ate and had a place to stay.  If you think about it, it would seem a bit out of character considering how much she cared about herself.  However, I think it just goes to show how complicated people are. Rhett.  Oh Rhett.  Everyone thought he was a scoundrel and he never claimed to be "good" but he was misunderstood and a good person in my eyes.  Plus, I love a guy who knows what he a wants and goes for it.  But he's no pushover.  I die every time he says "Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn."  Every time.  It is so dramatic and heartbreaking at the same time.
In addition, this book takes place before, during, and after the civil war.  War is always a difficult time.  As in many wars, the outcome produced drastic changes, requiring characters to grow, change, and persevere (or not).  My favorite!
I've always been a reader and loved books, but this book opened my eyes and made me think (the movie is amazing as well).  Plus, I got loads of points and got to brag about reading such a huge book. 
It feels like I've loved both Scarlett and Rhett with all their flaws all my life.  I think I have the preferences that I have today because of this book.  I love imperfect characters, derive great interest in difficult times and settings, and have to have my romance.  That's my book choices in a nutshell.  That's also Gone with the Wind.
Previous Why I Love Wednesdays:Why I Love Wednesdays...Gone with the WindWhy I Love Wednesdays...Review PostWhy I Love Wednesdays...WWII NovelsWhy I Love Wednesdays...My Reading ChairWhy I Love Wednesdays...The Stephanie Plum SeriesWhy I Love Wednesdays...LibrariesWhy I Love Wednesdays...Imperfect CharactersWhy I Love Wednesdays...Historical Fiction