Reading reflections

Thank you, Raven Rambling, for this meme!  :)

1. Who was your first (or only) literary hero?

In terms of characters? -- Nancy Drew.  :)  I inherited a copy of "The Clue of the Tapping Heels" from my mother, and the first book I can remember buying with my own money was "The Clue of the Whistling Bagpipes." I was 7 -- I bought it at Eatons when I was with a church group for a youth rally in a larger town a few hours away from mine -- & I believe it cost something like $1.29 of my carefully saved allowance.  :)  My collection grew from there, and I also read Nancy Drews from the library or borrowed copies from friends.

In terms of my first author hero(ine)s, that would be L.M. Montgomery, author of "Anne of Green Gables" (as well as "Emily of New Moon," "Pat of Silver Bush," "The Blue Castle" and so many other wonderful books).  The fact that she was Canadian was a plus. :)  As an adult, I have read a lot about her life. She was a complex woman, and my admiration & respect for her and her accomplishments has only grown as I've learned more about her life and all the obstacles she had to deal with.

2. What book changed the way you looked at life?

I read "Looking Back" by Joyce Maynard when I was about 12, which I've written about in this blog before, here. The idea that someone just 7 years older than me could write a book, so well -- and one about her own life, experiences and observations, no less -- was mind-blowing to me. Not to mention that I could relate to so much of what she was writing about -- the Beatles vs the Stones, SRA labs at school, and most especially her loathing of phys ed class and team sports. :)

3. What book(s) can you read over and over?

I don't re-read a lot of books these days.... too many other books waiting to be read!  But I've read some of L.M. Montgomery's books multiple times. I do like to read "The Blue Castle" again every several years. :)

4. Hardcover, paperback or e-book?

I will read any & all of the above. :)  Hardcovers seem so much more substantial :)  paperbacks are cheaper & not as heavy, and e-books are great because they are so portable and don't take up much space (or luggage weight, when I'm travelling/commuting).  Most of the books I buy are paperback, but I will buy hardcover if it's an author I really like &/or a book I really like and don't want to wait to read until the paperback comes out.

5. What are your earliest reading memories?

My mother & grandmother both used to read to me, before I could read myself. I do remember the neighbour lady who lived across the street helping me sound out words in a book. (We studied phonics when I was in grade school, and I am a firm believer!) We had lots of Little Golden Books & other books in the house. My favourite (which I still have, although it's pretty beat-up) was called "Alexander Kitten" -- a present from my paternal grandparents (their names are inscribed on the inside cover). It's about a little orange & white kitten who lives on a farm and who is constantly getting into trouble. (Memorable line:  "MEOWCH!"  cried Alexander Kitten... And away he skittered!)(I will sometimes (still!) say this whenever I have an "ouch!" moment, lol.)

(I just Googled it -- I can't believe I found it on Goodreads!! See the cover, above.)

It wasn't too long before I was reading myself. I think I was 4. I was reading Bobbsey Twins & Nancy Drew books by the time I got to school, and I remember lugging my paperback copy of "Gone With the Wind" to school with me when I was 11 or 12. :)

6. What are you reading right now?


I am still plugging along on "Russian Roulette."  My D.E. Stevenson reading group is starting its next selection, "Spring Magic," soon. And I'll be reading the next selection for the local library book club in time for its late April meeting -- "The German Girl" by Armando Lucas Correa.

(Speaking of the library book club -- I went to my first meeting at the library last night. We were discussing "Beartown" by Fredrik Backman, which I read & reviewed here. The meeting was an hour & a half long. There were a LOT more people than I thought there would be, about 18 -- 17 women and one man, lol. A few looked to be in their late 40s or 50s (like me), but I would say most were in their 60s or older (one older lady was shocked! SHOCKED!! by some of the language the boys in the book used, lol). With that many people around the table, there tended to be a lot of side conversations going on, & every now & then, a chorus of "SHHH!!"  would start.  Nevertheless (as a one-time group facilitator myself), I thought the librarian leading the discussion did a pretty good job of keeping the commotion down & making sure everyone who had something to say got a chance to speak. I will be back!)

Thanks for reading along, and feel free to answer the questions in the comments (or on your own blog). I’d love to see your responses!