Reading

Ah....literacy. I knew that books would be an important part of my life fairly early on. I was so frustrated with not being able to understand a huge part of the world when I was small. I couldn't wait to learn to read. I remember it as a thirst of sorts that I HAD to satisfy. My older sister helped me out by teaching me to read after she learned. So, I was fairly adept at it before I went to kindergarten. And I haven't slowed down since then. (Unless you count the time spent on the computer, but even then I'm reading what is on the screen!)

I was so painfully shy in my younger years that I would never speak to anyone I didn't know. My kindergarten teacher couldn't get me to say a word in class! But, she was very smart and when she found my passion for reading, she had me read aloud to the class. Thus began my found approval for reading. I didn't have to think what to say, and even if they laughed, they weren't laughing at my words. So, I found a way out of my shell. (Though it would take me the rest of my life to feel at all comfortable speaking in front of more than a couple of people at a time.....speech class in high school....pure torture!)

Books provided me with a kind of escape into a more exciting world where I wasn't shy. I could be as sassy as Anne (Anne of Green Gables), as clever as Pippi (Pippi Longstockings), as brave as Josiah (The Giver), as heroic as Matthias (Redwall) and as attractive as Juliet (Romeo and Juliet). There were any and all possibilities opened up to me. And I loved it! I always carry a book with me. There are many delays in everyday life that you can spend either staring around (not too fun), chatting with people (issues for me), or reading (yay!)

I have way too many books that I like that it's impossible to choose favorites! And I tend to really throw myself into the plot of the current book I'm reading. But there are some books that I have to mention here, though you must understand I could never compile an all-inclusive list. I am going to mention these in no specific order. And I'll try to provide as much information as possible on each one.

Favorites

Blue bug booksThese were the books I learned to read on. I cannot find them anywhere, and our library no longer has them in their collection.

Harry Potter seriesJ.K. RowlingHarry Potter captured the imagination and love of so many, of course they would steal into mine. Although I'm disappointed in the number of things left undone and unsaid, this is still a great series and among my must read list.
Please see my Harry Potter page for more on my days in the fandom.

Redwall seriesBrian JaquesThese books captured my attention when I was in high school. I was checking out any and everything to do with animals, and the protagonists (well everyone really) were animals. Those of you who don't like yarns from furry creatures please don't be turned off by this fact. The truth is, you can almost forget that when you're reading, because the stories and plots are so visual and intriguing. They're mostly quests, adventures, and war.
To learn more about this series please visit the official page at: http://www.redwall.org. It is very well written and mostly kept to date. There's an animated series based on the books now and you can find more info about that too.

Lord of the Rings series and the HobbitJRR TolkeinI read these when in college and the first time through I was a bit confused. They're really great stories, but the author assumes you know a lot that you don't know. The language is difficult too. However, despite that, they weave a wonderful story that leaves you wanting more.
There are a plethora of fan sites for LOTR out there. Visit the Official site to start with, and go from there!

The Giver and Gathering BlueLois LowryThese have to be two of my very favorite stories. They just touched something deep inside of me when I read them. They're novels that make you think, and those are always the best kind. And I enjoy reading them over and over again. I am waiting with anticipation for the third companion to come out!

Romeo and JulietShakespeareThis is my favorite all time romance. I think part of it might be because the heroine has a name so similar to my own. But also because of the symbolism it has. Presicely why I DIDN'T like the most recent movie made. And I HATE it when they call a movie (for example this one) Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet when they're going to CHANGE it and MANIPULATE the story until it HARDLY resembles the original. It's obviously NOT Shakespeare's anymore is it?

Out of Time and
Both Sides of Time
Caroline CooneyA great romantic read combining love at first sight, and time travel. It has a feeling of soulmate to it, but the endings could be better. The author is trying to make it more suspensful I think, but it just cheapens the rest of the story. And I despise the fourth book in the series. I mean, she just wasn't true to her characters at all!

Song of PentecostW. J. CorbettOne of the best novels I've ever read. This has been in my top favorites for a very long time. Ever since the first time I read it, in fact! Once again, it has animal characters, but it addresses some universal issues and does so in a very well done manner.

The Last UnicornPeter S. BeagleI love this book and I love the movie (which makes sense since it pretty much follows the book).
Please see my Last Unicorn page for more

  • The Belgaraid Series by David and Leigh Eddings
  • The Mallorean Series by David and Leigh Eddings
  • A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket
  • The Unauthorized Autobiography of Lemony Snicket by Lemony Snicket
  • Anne of Green Gables Series by L.M. Montgomery
  • The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck
  • The Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo
  • The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
  • Socks by Beverly Cleary
  • David Copperfield by Charles Dickens
  • Les Miserables (unabridged) by Victor Hugo
  • Ella Enchanted by Gail Levine
  • Jurassic Park by Micheal Crichton
  • The Lost World by Micheal Crichton
  • Haunt Fox by Jim Kjelegard
  • Chip the Dam Builder by Jim Kjelegard
  • The Mouse and His Child by Russell Hoban
  • Ramona series by Beverly Cleary
  • Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
  • Ender's Game (Ender series) by Orson Scott Card
  • Ratha's Creature by Clare Bell
  • Ratha and Thistlechaser by Clare Bell
  • Any book by by Dick King-Smith
  • A Day no Pigs Would Die by Robert Newton Peck
  • Summer of the Monkeys by Wilson Rawls
  • To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
  • Interstellar Pig by William Sleator
  • The Boy Who Reversed Himself by William Sleator
  • The Pigman by Paul Zindel
  • A Begonia for Miss Applebaum by Paul Zindel
  • Eye of the Dragon by Stephen King
  • The Borrowers Series by Mary Norton The oldest book I own was published in 1837 London, Titled Friendship's Offering. It was given to me by a friend (how fitting!) and is in pretty bad shape, but I love it!

    I also have a copy of Pilgrim's Progress, but I cannot find a date for it. So, I don't know when it was published. Definately after 1837 though. It was published in Philidelphia, but that's all the info I can find.

    There are ever so many more books that I love and love to read. I couldn't even begin to list all the ones I've read. I love librarys and bookstores. One of my favorite scents in the world is the smell of books. New or old. (Just not dirty or moldy ones ;)


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