Is this the right way to use the word 'commemorate'?

Question

"A book about the worst years, to commemorate the best."

It's the cheesy line I'm writing in my boyfriend's anniversary present: a book about the Civil War. I've already written 'A book about the worst years' in pen, meaning that suggested changes are both unwelcome and impossible to execute.

I meant suggested changes for the whole message, if there's a word that would work better than 'commemorate' I'm open to using it.

Answer 1

A book about the worst years, as we celebrate the best.

Answer 2

"To commemorate" means "to honour the memory of" according to my dictionary, so if something is about the worst it is not really commemorating the best, is it? I'm trying to think of another way to end your sentence .....

Edit:- I'm with Huba. I can't improve on that.

Answer 3

I don't think commemorate is the work you should use.

....which give added value to the good years.

...which show us how important the good years are.

something along those lines.

Answer 4

Depends what you mean to say. You could have
"A book about the worst years, with thanks for the best" or
"A book about the worst years, so we could have the best"?

Answer 5

For me its the right way to use the word "commemorate"the same in the died Jesus.