Thursday, July 26, 2007

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?

8 comments:

Midwest Beach Girl said...

Amazing! I just got alerted about this website:

http://www2.firstbook.org/whatbook/

By entering in your favorite book and listing NE as your state, we are entered to win a bunch of free books if we have the highest number of entries! (Feel free to share the link, and you can vote once a day until July 31st.)

ANYWAY. I loved "From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler", "The Boxcar Children", and my all time favorite "The Night of the Twisters". I loved them all and have probably read tham all at least a dozen times! I even bought a copy of the first and last one so I could revisit my childhood any old time!

It keeps us young! I'm so glad you posted this!

Beck said...

I was a total bookworm as a child (and still now). I was obsessed with the Bobbsey Twins when I was 7 - how I wanted my own twin!
Fun post.

Bea said...

The last books I read really obsessively (before Harry Potter 7) were Robin Hobb's books: the Farseer trilogy, the Tawny Man trilogy, and a third trilogy (I can't remember what it was called). They're fantasy books too, which I don't usually enjoy, but my husband recommended them so I gave them a try. It took me awhile to get into the first book, but by the end of it I was hooked - and then there were eight more left to go.

Jenifer said...

The Bobbsey Twins, I loved those books! As an only child I had lots of time to read and was always a book worm. I loved all of the Little House books and Anne of Green Gables and of course all of Judy Blume too.

Reading is your gateway to other worlds, I have always thought that.

Jacqniel said...

Christy is my all time favorite book as a child. It inspired me when I was thinking of becoming a teacher! I am surprised I didn't end up in the Appalacians! I also liked The Miracle Worker (sensing a theme?).
We lived next to the city library when I was real little, and it wasn't a far walk as I got older, so I was there - a lot. I liked Trixie Belden, Nancy Drew and even the Hardy Boys. I remember reading the Lord of the Rings trilogy in 7th grade and feeling very grown up, too.
I finished HP! I don't have book 6 - I borrowed it, too (I had it but someone must have borrowed it). Have you tried Scholastic Book Fairs? I am sure they have it!

Stacey said...

Who didn't love Judy Blume ?

I sure wish I had more time to ready now...as I love getting lost in a great novel!

Michelle said...

Ever since I can remember I've always loved reading, the joke was if you were looking for me you would find me with my nose in a book! I just did a post yesterday on fav childhood books and I loved Judy Blume! I mentioned Are You There God, but I forgot about Deenie! I also remember Superfudge. It's Not The End Of The World was a favorite, because my parents were divorced. Have you read any of Blume's books for adults? If not I have a couple I could send you!

California mom said...

Oh, what great memories this post brings back. Those are all great books.
If you're ever looking for another great escape series with great characters...try the OUTLANDER series by Diana Gabaldon.
I started reading this series when working for service coordination and I am so hooked. I am waiting for the 7th book in the series and I can't wait for it to come out. It usually takes about 2 years for her to write a new book, but it is very worth it. The first book was a little hard to get into, but by the end of the book I had to read the next and the next and the next...well you get my point.