“It has come to our attention,” said the Choose Your Own Adventure book, The Abominable Snowman by R.H. Montgomery, “That you really don’t like our type of book.”

“And you, an avid reader! How could you NOT like our type,” exclaimed The Mystery in the Mansion Pick Your Own Path book by Lauren Magaziner.

“Yeah, what’s the deal?” wailed all the other Choose Your Own Ending (CYOE) type books in the display.

“Listen, y’all, it’s like this,’ I said, “Reading CYOE books is well, a lot of work. I don’t need to bounce back and forth trying to decide which ending is best. Just give me a regular book that has the ending all prepared.”

The CYOE books gawked at each other in dismay and exclaimed, “You don’t get it! You are missing the point!”

“Haven’t you ever read a regular book where you didn’t like the ending or wished that the ending could have turned out differently?” questioned another CYOE book.

“Sure, I guess, but not often enough to wander through a CYOE book instead,” I commented.

“Here’s a thought,” mused the CYOE book, Endlessly Ever After by Laurel Snyder, “CYOE books are very important because they are actually good practice for life. They show that instead of being dictated to, you get to choose a path that is to your liking. And, if you don’t like the first ending you chose, then you can choose again!”

A light bulb went off in my head just then and I understood the connection. CYOE books have a direct parallel to life and the key concept of choice. What does it mean to choose?  

“Okay, Endlessly Ever After,” I sighed. “I get it; choosing is important. You are correct. We always have the power to choose; what we will do, say, or think.  Learning how to make good choices though is another thing entirely.”

“Now that is a fine choice of understanding,” said Endlessly Ever After. “Thinking further, and if you remember any of your reading(s) at all, you will recall that the heroes and heroines of any story do not usually follow what was dictated to them by others or societal norms. They chose their own path, and along the way, almost always explore several possible endings.

“To choose is a great power,” Endlessly Ever After continued. “Therefore, whatever you choose, make the best choices for you. May those choices lead you to your highest good. You don’t have to let anyone dictate how your life should be because you always have the power of choice for a different path and a different ending! By the way, this is true for both life settings and reading material.”  

“Thanks for the advice, Endlessly Ever After, and all of you CYOE books!” I said with a smile. “It’s time to start new reading adventure. Who wants to go first?”

“Pick me! Pick me!” they all shout together.

However shall I choose?

P.S. Don’t tell the CYOE books, but even after reading a few of them, I’m still not a fan. However, what I am a fan of is choosing my own ending(s) and path(s) in my life. My choices? I choose joy, love, laughter, success, abundance, fun, magic, and light!

Now it’s your turn. You choose. Happy choosing!

Good day!

Melinda Grohol 2/10/2023