The Bookshelf discussion

I love this book. The conversation between Martha and Mary in chapter 7 really resonated with me when Martha asked Mary how she likes herself. It is one thing to like or not like another person, but it is everything if you like yourself. You have to live with yourself, you don't get to choose that. It's important to love the person you have to live with and if you don't something probably has to change, which is typically easier said than done. What Martha says to Mary feels so...what's a bigger word than important? Crucial, I guess.
I love Dickon and I love the relationship between him and Mary, but his relationship with nature seems a little far fetched. It's one thing to love nature, it would have to be magic for it to love someone back, but maybe that's the point. Maybe I'm just too cynical.
I really love all the characters. Colin is a spoiled brat, but that isn't his fault and he certainly grows on you. It wasn't until Mary was describing Dickon to Colin that I realized that Colin is Dickon's foil.

The book is getting really exciting now. I love the transformation in Mary, and I love seeing how it is transforming those around her. Martha's mother seems to be a strong mother figure for Mary. I hope she'll get to meet her.
I really enjoyed Martha and Mary's conversation as well. No one can make up for you not liking yourself. I've seen people who are liked, loved and admired by others but it doesn't feed how they feel about themselves under the superficial level.
Dickon's relationship with nature seems more fairytale to me. I wonder if it's exaggerated because this is how Mary sees him.
Colin reminds me of how Mary was in the beginning. It was probably a good thing that they didn't meet earlier, because they probably wouldn't have gotten along. However, Mary's evolution has made her into a role model for Colin.
I didn't pick up that Colin is Dickon's foil, but it makes sense.