"It is what you read when you don't have to that determines what you will be when you can't help it." - Oscar Wilde

I know, I know. I previously said this blog would consist of mostly book reviews, but I’m currently making my way through two different ones, The Time Machine and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. I figured I’d blog about random stuff in the mean time so this page doesn’t disappear into one of my many failed blogs floating out there on the internet. Have no fear, what I say is completely surrounded by the concept of books so you won’t be completely disappointed. Or, I’ll achieve in completing boring you that you navigate away from this page and begin to appreciate the slow updates. Win-win.

When did my love for books begin?

If/when I finally decide to have children, I will read to them every night I can. However, I’m sad to say my parents never did the same for me.
I can’t answer this question exactly because, honestly, I have no idea. So, instead, here are a few memories I have with books growing up.

When I was in elementary/middle school my dad had a long commute to work 6 days a week. On Saturdays, the whole family would go with him and visit relatives while we were there. Beside his workplace was a Borders that my mom took my sisters and me every Saturday while he worked. Those were some of the most amazing Saturdays. I’ll admit, in retrospect, it was probably incredibly rude to come over to my cousin’s house each weekend being completely dissolved in a new book and not paying attention to her. But that’s just how much I enjoyed it.

In fourth grade, my teacher (we’ll call him Mr. Banks, not because there’s any need to protect his identity, but simply because I get to see Mary Poppins this weekend and am incredibly excited) had a display of his personal children’s novels in the front of the room. He let us check them out, borrow them for a bit (I don’t remember what the maximum time was) and check them back in. His range of books went from Garfield and Calvin & Hobbes comics to chapter books (does anyone call them that anymore?). I distinctly remember being in LOVE with The Boxcar Children series

and the Cam Jansen series.

I read exactly one Cam Jansen book every week. (He actually announced that in class once, which was really quite embarrassing, but I think he was trying to make the point that everyone needed to read more.)

What are some of my favorite childhood books?

I definitely do not remember all of them but, aside from the two I listed above, here are a few.

Amelia Bedelia. That girl cracked me up every time. One time, she was told to make string beans, and she literally tried to string up a bunch of beans. I was easily amused.

Mary Poppins! Yes, I actually read the books as a child. I feel like most, or all, of everyone I knew didn’t even know the books existed. That’s okay though, because I thought Julie Andrews was amazing in that adaption. The books were enjoyable as well. I’ve always had a strange fascination for books that have a strange, quirky, magical factor about them.

Edward Eager’s Magic series. It was an odd concept, which is what made it so intriguing. In Half Magic, only half of the children’s wishes came true. So, let’s say you wished for an orange - you would only receive half of that orange as your granted wish. I think Half Magic was my favorite book of that series.

The Secret Garden & A Little Princess, both by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Not too much to say about those two other than I remember enjoying his description of scenes. I recall picturing scenes in those books very clearly (especially the garden ones).

Who could forget The Babysitters Club? I almost did.

Those books made me want to create my own babysitter hotline. My parents acted quickly on squashing that dream. I should probably be thankful for that. Reading about babysitting was, I’m assuming, much more relaxing.

I’m going to wrap this up with one of the most significant ones of my childhood. I’m sure many others feel the same as well.

Harry Potter.

Harry Potter was undoubtedly, one of the most unforgettable. I knew people who rarely ever read, but when Harry Potter came out, they read it straight through in one try. Remember what I said about that magical factor in books? If any book had it, it was this one. I show the third book because it was my favorite when the first four had been released. WHY WAS THE THIRD MOVIE COINCIDENTALLY THE WORST ONE MADE???!!??
Yeah…I was very upset about that.
While I enjoyed getting new Harry Potter books those summers, I have to say, those hardcover books were HEAVY. I read those books in every position imaginable trying to find a comfortable one.

Here’s one last memory before I say good night.
When I was young, I remember my dad asking me to make him a promise to read everyday. I don’t believe I’ve kept to that promise, but I try. I believe he just understood how important it was for children to start reading at a young age, and I couldn’t agree more. However, it’s never too late to start. There’s always something new you can learn from each book no matter what age. Sorry, I have no idea when the preaching started. I think it’s a sign to end for the night. If you have made it to the end of this post, than I am impressed by your ability to read long-winded stories, but I’m sorry I can’t offer you any sort of reward other than a thank you. So, thank you!

Good night moon,
Stephanie