I don't think this book is a masterpiece or perfectly written or anything like that, but there's just something about it that I find special to me—I can see myself rereading this over and over and still gaining the same amount of enjoyment. Back in 2016 I watched the movie a lot, and maybe that's why I liked this so much, it feels nostalgic, in a way. I just love how much Ponyboy's buddies feel like a real family, and the tenderness that lies beneath everyone's layer of tough.