Book Love

In late elementary school, say 5th or 6th grade, I really got into reading. I was always a good reader in school, but didn't LOVE reading per se (or maybe I did and don't remember it). Reading was my favorite subject and I often read at home, so I guess maybe I always have loved to read. The fact that I love to escape reality so much, and have since such a young age, frightens me at times. As if I'd rather avoid reality if at all possible. My husband would tell you that I create my own reality, but that's another post.

I just love going other places whether it be by traveling there, reading a book, or even watching a movie. The first book I remember really liking is James and the Giant Peach. I read it on my own in 5th grade and felt so grown up. It seemed like such a big book.

While I'm on the topic of books I read and loved as a child...how about Judy Blume? Is there any better. Not in my book - no pun intended. Deenie was monumental for me (I was diagnosed with scoliosis at age 12). Superfudge was a favorite. I read those Fudge books when I was just learning to read. Are You There God? It's Me Margaret. Brilliant. She was brilliant. One of my favorite books of all time at that age was Just As Long As We're Together. Great book. All about girl power! But I digress...

As we got into 6th grade and the girls started moving into groups - cliques, really, (there were only 12 girls in my grade, and only two groups), we started calling ourselves the fabulous five.

Myself, Jenna, Marcie, Dawn, and Shawna. We were BFF, if you know what I mean. I read a series called The Fabulous Five, so had the idea that this was what we should be called. I loved these books, really loved them. Of course, there is a girl named Melanie, so that didn't hurt. But they were great books. Each one was written from a different member of the group's perspective. It was all about school, boys, each girl's own interests. It was this tween girl's idea of the perfect book series. I wasn't so much into mysteries or The Babysitter's Club. No, I loved The Fabulous Five. I would wait until a new one came out and then beg my mother to get it. Some of them are still on my bookshelf today (two that bear my name).

As I have been reading the Harry Potter series so voraciously over the past week or so, I remember that time. When I had to read the next book. When I had to know what would happen. I feel that way now. I haven't felt this tied to a group of characters in such a long time. It is inspiring me to look into what other book series I could read, because it's so much fun to get so into it. I also think I shouldn't, because I get so into it! There are other things that need to be done, such as housework, parenting, and very soon, my paid gig. So as I reach the halfway point in Year 5 of 7, I realize that it's probably best that I am not always so into books, because the other parts of my jam-packed life would suffer.

So I will finish up Harry Potter and then go back to my less involved, less obsessed reading. Then the fall TV shows will start and my reading will slow down completely.

I will miss my imaginary book world friends. It's sort of fun to escape now and then, isn't it?