Oct 17 2008
Friday Fun
When I was growing up, books were some of my best friends. We lived out in the country, and while I had friends at school once I got home it was just me and my younger sister. We played a lot, but at other times I found my companionship in books.
I don’t remember ever learning to read. I don’t remember ever not knowing how to read. I’m sure both were true, but reading has been so much a part of my life that it’s just always been there. And, I remember some “kids” books, but the books I remember most were longer books.
I was also a fast reader. One of my first memories of learning that perhaps this was not considered normal for children was in the fifth grade. We had a small library in our classroom, and we could read books when we were finished our work. I remember we had to sign on the bookmark the day and pages we had read. This particular book I had chosen was The Lute Player, by Norah Lofts. Thinking back, it was probably one of the very first historical novels I’d read. And I devoured it. My teacher, Mrs. Purser, could not believe I’d finished it as quickly as I did…until I told her the story.
Our school librarian would let me check out books at an early age she normally reserved for the older kids. And, at home, there was no limit on what I could read. (One time, Mama did suggest that perhaps From Here to Eternity was a little advanced for me, but when I told her it was the second time reading it…. well, I’m pretty sure the “more advanced” part went over my head.
What are some of the books you remember reading?
2 Responses to “Friday Fun”
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Black Beauty… all the Oz books… the Chronicles of Prydain… the Hobbit… Nancy Drew…
And so many more!!
LOL on my captcha: scheduled repulsion
My aunt gave me Lord of the Rings to read when I was ten. I can hardly believe it now. But I slogged through it, utterly enchanted. It took long enough that sometimes when we returned to characters we’d left a few chapters ago, I couldn’t remember who they were. I know I missed a lot, that first time through. But when I finally finished (including all the Appendices, which I utterly loved), I felt such an enchantment with the world that I’ve never forgotten that first experience. And I’ve read the book many times since then.
Another one I remember from when I was quite young was The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Heidi by Johanna Spyri. Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie. And of course the Chronicles of Narnia.
Wonderful memories.