One of my underrated favorite classic novels, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith made me feel so seen as a reader and writer and dreamer of a young girl. It’s a coming-of-age story with lots of quotable moments and sink-or-swim life lessons, and it’s a source of inspiration and comfort for me.
I’m still figuring out how to manipulate graphics and make them look nice, so forgive me if these aren’t as pretty as they could be. They’re not my best work ever, but I’m sharing them anyway, as part of my ongoing war with perfectionism and self-doubt as well as my slight fixation on sticking to the posting schedule I planned out so carefully yet can’t seem to stop rearranging because it feels kind of productive. Hopefully these “postcards” will bring you a little spark of happiness!
From the moment she entered the world, Francie Nolan needed to be made of stern stuff, for the often harsh life of Williamsburg demanded fortitude, precocity, and strength of spirit. Often scorned by neighbors for her family’s erratic and eccentric behavior — such as her father Johnny’s taste for alcohol and Aunt Sissy’s habit of marrying serially without the formality of divorce — no one, least of all Francie, could say that the Nolans’ life lacked drama. By turns overwhelming, sublime, heartbreaking, and uplifting, the Nolans’ daily experiences are tenderly threaded with family connectedness and raw with honesty. Betty Smith has, in the pages of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, captured the joys of humble Williamsburg life — from “junk day” on Saturdays, when the children of Francie’s neighborhood traded their weekly take for pennies, to the special excitement of holidays, bringing cause for celebration and revelry. Betty Smith has artfully caught this sense of exciting life in a novel of childhood, replete with incredibly rich moments of universal experiences — a truly remarkable achievement for any writer.
What are some of your favorite book quotes? Are there any particularly quotable novels that you’d like to see me do next?
I hadn’t heard of this book before so now I am intrigued to find out more about it. I love your postcards! Especially how you’ve got different fonts to suit the images. These would look fab pinned on a wall or desk.
I hadn’t heard of it but it sounds like something I’ll love so it’s been added to my GR tbr, those quotes are beautiful and I have so many books I love but I always have a hard time thinking of quotes, I would love to see some Holly Black quotes though just in general from any of her books lol
Ah, these postcards look so lovely and the quotes you’ve chosen to put on them are so beautiful!
I haven’t read this book yet but this has surely motivated me to do so int he future!
From the moment she entered the world, Francie Nolan needed to be made of stern stuff, for the often harsh life of Williamsburg demanded fortitude, precocity, and strength of spirit. Often scorned by neighbors for her family’s erratic and eccentric behavior — such as her father Johnny’s taste for alcohol and Aunt Sissy’s habit of marrying serially without the formality of divorce — no one, least of all Francie, could say that the Nolans’ life lacked drama. By turns overwhelming, sublime, heartbreaking, and uplifting, the Nolans’ daily experiences are tenderly threaded with family connectedness and raw with honesty. Betty Smith has, in the pages of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, captured the joys of humble Williamsburg life — from “junk day” on Saturdays, when the children of Francie’s neighborhood traded their weekly take for pennies, to the special excitement of holidays, bringing cause for celebration and revelry. Betty Smith has artfully caught this sense of exciting life in a novel of childhood, replete with incredibly rich moments of universal experiences — a truly remarkable achievement for any writer.
Nine Tale Vixen 
I love this book so much and your wonderful post only increases my appreciation for it!! You’ve created some stunning postcards!! Lovely post!! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
aw thank you so much! 💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hadn’t heard of this book before so now I am intrigued to find out more about it. I love your postcards! Especially how you’ve got different fonts to suit the images. These would look fab pinned on a wall or desk.
LikeLiked by 1 person
aw thank you! if you end up reading the book, I hope you enjoy it 💕
LikeLike
These are beautiful!! I love the one with the photo of the highway. So peaceful 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
thank you! glad you like them 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hadn’t heard of it but it sounds like something I’ll love so it’s been added to my GR tbr, those quotes are beautiful and I have so many books I love but I always have a hard time thinking of quotes, I would love to see some Holly Black quotes though just in general from any of her books lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
hope you eventually get around to reading and enjoying it! 😉
and yes, Holly Black has some really awesome quotes!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah, these postcards look so lovely and the quotes you’ve chosen to put on them are so beautiful!
I haven’t read this book yet but this has surely motivated me to do so int he future!
LikeLiked by 1 person
aw thanks Jayati! if you do get around to reading the book. I hope you enjoy it 💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think your postcards are really good !
I love all the quotes you picked xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
thanks Kristina! 💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
These are beautiful, and the quotes you choose are absolutely lovely. And now I want to read this book!
LikeLiked by 1 person
awwww thanks Kal 💕 I hope you do pick it up and love it!
LikeLike