Though I still very much enjoy reading, I spend way less time these days on novels. That wasn't always the case. These days it's blog articles or news I read. Shows or movies steal the little attention I have for that sort of entertainment.
I have been known to get caught up in a dumb mobile game from time to time, usually out of complete boredom. Reading a novel would be a much better way to spend that time. Novels used to fill up my days and I'm not sure why they lost their appeal to me.
I'm not talking about a book you had to read for school. No, a real read as in one you chose and had trouble putting down. A book whose words immediately grabbed your attention and wouldn't let go.
Can you recall? I can.
My first read was a well known series by C.S. Lewis, The Chronicles Of Narnia. Once into the first pages of The Lion, The Witch, & The Wardrobe, there was no putting down the book.
I layer on the couch in my father's office reading....all night long. Sometime after the sun came up I finished that book and started the next one. Prince Caspian and his ocean voyage were soon to fill up my imagination.
Middle school was the time kids were figuring what clothes to wear and how to style their hair. Which group of kids to 'hang' with was a major concern for many of my peers. I didn't care for those changes one bit.
How did I handle it?
I was a loner for sure, but smart enough to know I needed a cover to explain my isolation. Reading worked like a charm. Teachers would approach me and pester me about not hanging out with any of the other kids.
My response? I would rather read than join the cliches. Was my homework all done? Here's another question teachers would bring up but I was well prepared. I'd do advance homework just so I could read uninterrupted.
Most of what I read growing up was classified in the book store as Fantasy. Some authors, such as Piers Anthony and his Xanth series, may have been classified as Science Fiction/Fantasy.
Of course, Lord Of The Rings came soon after I read those first capturing books by C.S. Lewis. A bit older, the books took on more meaning and sealed my addiction to Fantasy. Terry Brooks and The Elf Stones Of Shannara was another great series. The show that was made does the story no justice.
Ever heard of White Ring Wielder? The Thomas Covenant series by Stephen R. Donaldson? A great mixture of reality and fantasy through the point of view of a divorced modern day leper.
One of the very best that all connoisseurs of Dungeons & Dragons are familiar with? The Dragonlance series! The rippling muscles of Caramon were no match for the magic of his frail brother, Raistlin.
Looking back, many of the mandatory reads for Highschool English were award winners. How could a student eager for knowledge not enjoy them?
Of Mice And Men, Moby Dick, To Kill A Mockingbird, and Lord Of Flies were a few of those books and absolute must reads in my opinion. And that of the one's in charge of our Highschool curriculum at the time.
Do kids still have to read these books? Guess I'll find out, as my eldest is entering 9th grade this year.
What were your favorite books growing up? Do you still read books? If so, what genre do you prefer? Romance? Lol. My mom used to gobble the smut books up!
Thanks for reading and hope you still enjoy reading as much as I do. As always....
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