From Green Eggs and Ham to Judy Blume to an illicit detour into Jacqueline Susann, books have always seduced me. A love letter in tribute to National Book Lovers Day.
Thank you Karen for contributing a comment & The Grapes of Wrath is truly a book that matters. I found it unforgettable too. So glad you were raised with books & continue your search for truth & spirit.
The first book I read as a grownup(16) ripped my soul to pieces, The grapes of wrath. Until then I didn’t know humans were cruel. I never put down Books. From my time as a kiddy mom read to us. All the girls in the family read. But The Grapes of Wrath.I found truth. From then on I hovered 100 books to find the one that had healing or growth or spirt, truth. Always looking for the truth so I would know how to live truth.
Confession: I almost didn’t read this because my TBR pile is already too big. 😅 I just ordered Unless and All the Light We Cannot See (late to the party on that one).
I loved reading how literature shaped you, your heart and your family.
I, too, was an English major. I, too, was a girl who loved nothing more than getting lost in the pages of a book.
As a tween, it was Sweet Valley High, The Babysitters Club, and anything by Judy Blume.
I recall my childhood best friend’s house had a bookcase full of the entire Nancy Drew series. We ripped through all of them as well.
I often get sad when I witness the kids today being lured into devices/social media instead of the pages of a novel. {*sigh*}
Right now I am INHALING Liars by Sarah Manguso. It’s so captivating and gripping. There are no chapters and it pulls you in and through a 14 year marriage. Perhaps the most honest depiction of heterosexual marriage I’ve ever come across.
And I can’t wait to hold your novel in my hand one day soon, Amy. 💕
I get it with the TBR list, but so glad you dropped by to share your love od reading 😀i am hearing great things about LIARS so definitely have to read. And made me so happy to hear you look forward to my own novel being published. From your mouth to the ears of a literary agent or publisher somewhere 😀
Amy, I resonate so very much as I too am a dedicated reader and book lover. It is not lightly that I state, books saved my life. The opportunity to be transported away from the daily trauma of my childhood/teen homelife provide hope that another narrative was possible.
I read every book in my elementary school library. And as an adult stumbled into a beloved job as Chlildren's Librarian in a small economically disadvantaged town. I had the joy of connecting kids with books and possibilities. That job led to me being a Storyteller who got to travel the world and also who started her own volunteer literacy project to get books into schools and libraries and the hands of kids who otherwise wouldn't have any.
I'm forever grateful to books for showing me possibilities. ♡♡♡♡
What a beautiful response, Kristin, your own love letter to books. EVERY book in your elementary school library? That's something:-) I loved that you were a children's librarian and that led to you becoming a storyteller. Books have saved the lives of so many of us. Long may this love affair reign.
Hi Susan, thanks for dropping by with your shared love of Covenant of Water (now tucked into my suitcase to bring to my daughter in Paris). I also will look into the other book. Its title alone indicates I will love it. We all need--this world needs--more tenderness.
It's based around DH Lawrence's writing of Lady Chatterly's Lover set against the boycott of the book in the 1960s. Very well written and researched. Enjoy Paris!
Why did it take so long for me to find you on Substack? I feel we are kindred spirits! I can’t answer the questions now—but plan to pop back in later today to do so…
Thank you!!! Right now I’m reading Daphne Phelps’s memoir, A House in Sicily, gifted by a younger sister. I just reread Elizabeth Gilbert’s Big Magic (to keep my writing motivated). I tend to prefer literary fiction and memoir, but I also read other non-fiction. I’ve never been genre discriminating, and even read cereal boxes as a young child while I ate my breakfast . . . no great escape there, but I guess my insatiable curiosity kept the habit going!
As I'm sitting here with my morning tea your essay has sent me on a lovely journey down memory lane. I have to conclude that reading saved my life.
I grew up in a dysfunctional, traumatic household and books were my shield and my sanity. The earliest stories were of faeries, heroes and the Otherworld of my native land and I still love to disappear into those magical realms.
One series of young girl's books that had a huge impact was the chalet school set in Austria just before the second world war. The series moved locations but once Austria was left behind I completely lost interest.
Some years later visiting Innsbruck I was able to guide my family around because I knew it so well from the books!!!
I love history and early on began reading 'The Conquest of New Spain' by Bernal Diaz, one of the conquistadores. My brother laughed at me because he didn't believe I could understand it. For pure pig iron I pulled out the dictionary and looked up every single word I was unsure of or just didn't know. It was the biggest favor he could have done me because I was absolutely hooked! And not just on children and young adults stories.
I read all the way through my teens- ancient history, archaeology, anthropology,the classics, magic and mystery. When trouble was brewing I dealt with it my escaping into far off times, people and places in a book.
Now I'm in my elder years and nothing much has changed. Reading is still my absolute favorite thing to do. I still derive enormous satisfaction from lots of different genres but anything with an historical flavor is a particular favorite. I think I might have been born in the wrong time 😉
At the moment I'm reading Ken Follett's 'The Key to Rebecca'. My father introduced me to him years ago so whenever I come across one I haven't read I have to dive in. 😊
Siobhan, thank YOU for taking me and us on a trip down your wonderful memory lane, of the books that shielded and saved you. Your eclectic reading inspires me. As a curious person and a writer of fiction and non-fiction, I want to stretch myself by reading more history, anthropology, magic and mystery rather than the realistic fiction (although I do love Isabel Allende's magical realism) that draws me in the most. And as for reading the dictionary for fun, I am your partner in crime. Continued happy reading!
What a beautiful tribute to books. As a kid, I loved The Babysitter’s Club series. Their organization and drive inspired me! A book that sticks with me—- I’m currently reading “Devil in the Grove” by Gilbert King. It has already stuck with me, even as I must take breaks as the content is nonfiction and heartbreaking. Also, “American Dirt” by Jeanine Cummins. I still think about those characters.
Bethany, thank you for reading and sharing your favorite books from childhood and current memorable reads. I am not familiar with "Devil in the Grove" and will check it out, and "American Dirt" has been on my TBR list. Characters that stick with you; that's the magic, isn't it? As a writer of fiction, it is the magic I aim to create as well.
This is a delightful piece, Word Weaver! Thank you. I so enjoy your literary adventures! We share a similar list of favorite early reads and I became an English major because I loved reading and books. We frequently went to the library as a child. Still the magic is with me. The library in Portugal will be fantastic. I was a huge Judy Blume fan too. And Beverly Cleary. And Charlotte’s Web. Before I was 4, I had a large Mother Goose book I carried with me everywhere. It was the Velveteen Rabbit of my books. I loved Shel Silverstein too and Alice Walker I discovered at 14. Shakespeare sonnets were a gift from my Mom. All the poets feed me these days. Love the Kahlil Gibran quote too! This was a celebration, friend. Keep reading! Keep savoring books!
I was an English Major as well. Loved diving into the words and word play of Shakespeare. I do love a good book ~ always have 3 new books on standby so there is little downtime in between finishing one and starting another.
Thanks, Constellations dear, for this enthusiastic comment; we share so much in common with childhood books and as English majors. I bear the Word Weaver title with honor and humility:-) Yes to the poets! What are you currently reading? For me, it's a reread of Elizabeth Strout's first novel, Amy & Isabelle, an exquisite and heartbreaking story of a single mother and daughter and I am noticing how visceral the writing is, thanks to the lens from WITD and Jeannine!
Good morning, Amy! Of course. We do share many favorite writers. I haven’t read Amy & Isabelle. Sounds wonderful. Look forward to the adventure. Yes to Jeannine and her embodiment practices as well. She is so generous and wise too. A wonderful teacher. I’m reading Nora Ephron I Feel Bad About My Neck. I love her humor and keen observations of humans. I’m reading Deborah Harkness new one—The Black Bird Oracle. Sooooo good. And poetry daily. Hafiz. Oliver. Rumi. Also Toni Morrison. Going to read Another Word for Love by Carvell Wallace, To the Lighthouse by Woolf, and the Book of Salt by Monique Troung.
My father read to me, and then I read many times for myself, all 14 of the Oz books that were written by L. Frank Baum (other 'Oz' books were written by others, but are inferior, IMO). They are now a family legacy.
Thank you Karen for contributing a comment & The Grapes of Wrath is truly a book that matters. I found it unforgettable too. So glad you were raised with books & continue your search for truth & spirit.
The first book I read as a grownup(16) ripped my soul to pieces, The grapes of wrath. Until then I didn’t know humans were cruel. I never put down Books. From my time as a kiddy mom read to us. All the girls in the family read. But The Grapes of Wrath.I found truth. From then on I hovered 100 books to find the one that had healing or growth or spirt, truth. Always looking for the truth so I would know how to live truth.
Confession: I almost didn’t read this because my TBR pile is already too big. 😅 I just ordered Unless and All the Light We Cannot See (late to the party on that one).
I loved reading how literature shaped you, your heart and your family.
I, too, was an English major. I, too, was a girl who loved nothing more than getting lost in the pages of a book.
As a tween, it was Sweet Valley High, The Babysitters Club, and anything by Judy Blume.
I recall my childhood best friend’s house had a bookcase full of the entire Nancy Drew series. We ripped through all of them as well.
I often get sad when I witness the kids today being lured into devices/social media instead of the pages of a novel. {*sigh*}
Right now I am INHALING Liars by Sarah Manguso. It’s so captivating and gripping. There are no chapters and it pulls you in and through a 14 year marriage. Perhaps the most honest depiction of heterosexual marriage I’ve ever come across.
And I can’t wait to hold your novel in my hand one day soon, Amy. 💕
I get it with the TBR list, but so glad you dropped by to share your love od reading 😀i am hearing great things about LIARS so definitely have to read. And made me so happy to hear you look forward to my own novel being published. From your mouth to the ears of a literary agent or publisher somewhere 😀
So much Love in your post!
It's very hard to just pick one.
But I remember how fascinated I have been as a child when I read "Treasure Island" by Stevenson
Thanks Lise; Treasure Island! I remember being transported by that one, too.
Amy, I resonate so very much as I too am a dedicated reader and book lover. It is not lightly that I state, books saved my life. The opportunity to be transported away from the daily trauma of my childhood/teen homelife provide hope that another narrative was possible.
I read every book in my elementary school library. And as an adult stumbled into a beloved job as Chlildren's Librarian in a small economically disadvantaged town. I had the joy of connecting kids with books and possibilities. That job led to me being a Storyteller who got to travel the world and also who started her own volunteer literacy project to get books into schools and libraries and the hands of kids who otherwise wouldn't have any.
I'm forever grateful to books for showing me possibilities. ♡♡♡♡
What a beautiful response, Kristin, your own love letter to books. EVERY book in your elementary school library? That's something:-) I loved that you were a children's librarian and that led to you becoming a storyteller. Books have saved the lives of so many of us. Long may this love affair reign.
I loved the Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese! Tenderness by Alison MacLeod is also a great read.
Hi Susan, thanks for dropping by with your shared love of Covenant of Water (now tucked into my suitcase to bring to my daughter in Paris). I also will look into the other book. Its title alone indicates I will love it. We all need--this world needs--more tenderness.
It's based around DH Lawrence's writing of Lady Chatterly's Lover set against the boycott of the book in the 1960s. Very well written and researched. Enjoy Paris!
That sounds fascinating. And Paris will be easy to enjoy (Post Olympics frenzy):-)
Why did it take so long for me to find you on Substack? I feel we are kindred spirits! I can’t answer the questions now—but plan to pop back in later today to do so…
So glad you did find me and look forward to hearing about the books that matter most to you and what you're currently reading.
Thank you!!! Right now I’m reading Daphne Phelps’s memoir, A House in Sicily, gifted by a younger sister. I just reread Elizabeth Gilbert’s Big Magic (to keep my writing motivated). I tend to prefer literary fiction and memoir, but I also read other non-fiction. I’ve never been genre discriminating, and even read cereal boxes as a young child while I ate my breakfast . . . no great escape there, but I guess my insatiable curiosity kept the habit going!
As I'm sitting here with my morning tea your essay has sent me on a lovely journey down memory lane. I have to conclude that reading saved my life.
I grew up in a dysfunctional, traumatic household and books were my shield and my sanity. The earliest stories were of faeries, heroes and the Otherworld of my native land and I still love to disappear into those magical realms.
One series of young girl's books that had a huge impact was the chalet school set in Austria just before the second world war. The series moved locations but once Austria was left behind I completely lost interest.
Some years later visiting Innsbruck I was able to guide my family around because I knew it so well from the books!!!
I love history and early on began reading 'The Conquest of New Spain' by Bernal Diaz, one of the conquistadores. My brother laughed at me because he didn't believe I could understand it. For pure pig iron I pulled out the dictionary and looked up every single word I was unsure of or just didn't know. It was the biggest favor he could have done me because I was absolutely hooked! And not just on children and young adults stories.
I read all the way through my teens- ancient history, archaeology, anthropology,the classics, magic and mystery. When trouble was brewing I dealt with it my escaping into far off times, people and places in a book.
Now I'm in my elder years and nothing much has changed. Reading is still my absolute favorite thing to do. I still derive enormous satisfaction from lots of different genres but anything with an historical flavor is a particular favorite. I think I might have been born in the wrong time 😉
At the moment I'm reading Ken Follett's 'The Key to Rebecca'. My father introduced me to him years ago so whenever I come across one I haven't read I have to dive in. 😊
Siobhan, thank YOU for taking me and us on a trip down your wonderful memory lane, of the books that shielded and saved you. Your eclectic reading inspires me. As a curious person and a writer of fiction and non-fiction, I want to stretch myself by reading more history, anthropology, magic and mystery rather than the realistic fiction (although I do love Isabel Allende's magical realism) that draws me in the most. And as for reading the dictionary for fun, I am your partner in crime. Continued happy reading!
To you too Amy! 💗
What a beautiful tribute to books. As a kid, I loved The Babysitter’s Club series. Their organization and drive inspired me! A book that sticks with me—- I’m currently reading “Devil in the Grove” by Gilbert King. It has already stuck with me, even as I must take breaks as the content is nonfiction and heartbreaking. Also, “American Dirt” by Jeanine Cummins. I still think about those characters.
Bethany, thank you for reading and sharing your favorite books from childhood and current memorable reads. I am not familiar with "Devil in the Grove" and will check it out, and "American Dirt" has been on my TBR list. Characters that stick with you; that's the magic, isn't it? As a writer of fiction, it is the magic I aim to create as well.
This is a delightful piece, Word Weaver! Thank you. I so enjoy your literary adventures! We share a similar list of favorite early reads and I became an English major because I loved reading and books. We frequently went to the library as a child. Still the magic is with me. The library in Portugal will be fantastic. I was a huge Judy Blume fan too. And Beverly Cleary. And Charlotte’s Web. Before I was 4, I had a large Mother Goose book I carried with me everywhere. It was the Velveteen Rabbit of my books. I loved Shel Silverstein too and Alice Walker I discovered at 14. Shakespeare sonnets were a gift from my Mom. All the poets feed me these days. Love the Kahlil Gibran quote too! This was a celebration, friend. Keep reading! Keep savoring books!
I was an English Major as well. Loved diving into the words and word play of Shakespeare. I do love a good book ~ always have 3 new books on standby so there is little downtime in between finishing one and starting another.
I adore Shakespeare!
Thanks, Constellations dear, for this enthusiastic comment; we share so much in common with childhood books and as English majors. I bear the Word Weaver title with honor and humility:-) Yes to the poets! What are you currently reading? For me, it's a reread of Elizabeth Strout's first novel, Amy & Isabelle, an exquisite and heartbreaking story of a single mother and daughter and I am noticing how visceral the writing is, thanks to the lens from WITD and Jeannine!
Good morning, Amy! Of course. We do share many favorite writers. I haven’t read Amy & Isabelle. Sounds wonderful. Look forward to the adventure. Yes to Jeannine and her embodiment practices as well. She is so generous and wise too. A wonderful teacher. I’m reading Nora Ephron I Feel Bad About My Neck. I love her humor and keen observations of humans. I’m reading Deborah Harkness new one—The Black Bird Oracle. Sooooo good. And poetry daily. Hafiz. Oliver. Rumi. Also Toni Morrison. Going to read Another Word for Love by Carvell Wallace, To the Lighthouse by Woolf, and the Book of Salt by Monique Troung.
My father read to me, and then I read many times for myself, all 14 of the Oz books that were written by L. Frank Baum (other 'Oz' books were written by others, but are inferior, IMO). They are now a family legacy.
https://lookabooka.wordpress.com/2021/03/01/wisdom-from-oz-2/
Oh, yes, the Oz books! Wonderful. See you later today to talk more books and writing, my friend.