In November of my third grade year, I started a new school when my family moved about ten minutes away from the home where the infamous red tights incident occurred.
My teacher had construction paper train cars around the walls of the room, and students’ names went up on the cars as they met a reading goal. The first car was for five books, the second was for ten, and so on. I read voraciously, and quickly surpassed every kid in the class except for Melissa T. She had a two month head start on me, and I just could not catch up. My teacher made tiny train cars just for the two of us, as I chased Melissa, always a car behind.
In elementary school, I have memories of devouring all the Beverly Cleary books. Judy Blume was another favorite, as I dutifully performed my “must increase my bust” exercises a la Margaret. I loved Blubber, Island of the Blue Dolphins, Charlotte’s Web, the Little House books, and the Encyclopedia Brown series.
As a teenager, I snuck into the Young Adult section of the public library to read a few pages of Blume’s Forever. I watched The Outsiders movie, and then read the book over and over. Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale was my first taste of dystopian fiction, decades before The Hunger Games. I read my secondhand copy of Watership Down at least three times, and Why Have the Birds Stopped Singing sparked my love of time travel tales. I went through a phase of reading novels about dissociative personality disorder – When Rabbit Howls, Sybil, The Three Faces of Eve.
“Phase reading” continued through my early adulthood. Jane Auel’s Children of the Earth series had me hooked on novels about early humans; Matt dubbed them my Caveman Books. When I found Philippa Gregory, I read all the historical fiction I could get my hands on.
When I emerged from the fog of early motherhood, I joined my first book club and began reading books that were outside my comfort zone. I remember the first book of my first book club: Bel Canto by Ann Patchett. I didn’t love it, but I did love a few of her other novels that I read later. Choosing my next book always feels like a responsibility, and book clubs allow me to take a break and experience a book that I may have never chosen on my own.
In my thirties, I discovered Diana’s Galbadon’s Outlander series, which became my favorite books of all time. The Hunger Games brought me back to Young Adult fiction. As that genre has exploded in popularity, I am picky about what I choose, and am often pleasantly surprised at how complex and well written these novels are. I circled back to historical fiction for awhile, with an emphasis on World War II. The Year of the Vampire was in 2012, at the height of my True Blood obsession. Fantasy, science fiction, paranormal, romance…these books were quick, entertaining, and the perfect escape to balance out the more serious contemporary fiction I favor.
Over the last year or two, I’ve discovered I don’t hate nonfiction, although fiction is always my default. I don’t phase read like I used to; I like jumping from genre to genre. There is no genre I won’t try at least once, although I no longer force myself to finish a book I am not enjoying. There are so many wonderful books out there; why waste my time on a sucky one?
I’m no longer reading competitively like I did in the third grade, but I’m always looking for my next read. When I began this blog, the only subject I was sure I would write about was reading. My first post was about GoodReads, and book reviews are the only regular feature here. Look for one in the next few weeks; I’ve read a ton this summer!
Do you go through phases of reading? What phase are you in now?
Checking in 🙂 Did you read the latest Judy Blume? I was so disappointed!
We had train cars on our school wall too with the books we finished although I can’t remember what grade that was. Now I just compete on my goodreads challenge!
I did not read it…guess maybe I won’t now! I like the Goodreads challenge too. This year I’m doing another challenge, with lots of different categories you have to read books in. I’ll share it at the end of the year; it just something fun and it forces me to read some books I wouldn’t normally choose.
One of my favorite books from my youth was a Judy Blume book, but I truly loved all of her books. I was tied with a few other classmates for most books read in 4th grade, though my teacher had to bribe me and my friend to read something other than Babysitter’s Club books. I was introduced to Beverly Cleary in 1st grade with Romana the Pest. Her books were also amazing and it didn’t hurt that we shared the same first name 😉
Books have always been important to me. I read at least 3 books a month, and haven’t stopped since having Eve. In fact, reading helped me get through those middle-of-the-night nursing sessions. I found that having a really good book to read while she nursed helped to motivate me to get out of bed when I was exhausted. I’m mostly a fiction girl also, but I have read some truly fantastic non-fiction books as well (mostly for my bookclub). I can’t wait to read your next Goodreads post, all of your book recommendations are fantastic!
Thanks, Bev. I used to read a ton when I nursed Gwen, but only during the day. I watched Nick at Nite at 3:00 am. 🙂 I used to leave her on my lap if she feel asleep after nursing, and keep reading until she woke up. James, on the other hand, nursed and was ready to go, go, go!
This brings back so many good memories! I used to sneak a flashlight under my covers to read after bedtime. I was all over Babysitters Club & Sweet Valley Twins/High. I think that fiction is always a top choice because it provides a great escape from daily life. But there are a lot of fun nonfiction books out there too!
I’m with you on fiction – I love to get lost in a book. I didn’t have a flashlight, but I did have an Itty Bitty Booklight!
I love that quote! When I was younger, I made it a point of pride to finish every book I started, now I’ll ding them a chapter in if they don’t grab me. Life’s too short indeed. I tend to mix up my genres, but I like the idea of phase reading too – then only phase reading I tend to do is for research, where I’ll lose myself in a particular period for weeks on end.
I prefer to mix up genres too, but sometimes I just get on a kick that I can’t shake!
Ooh, what a great reading journey post! Yea, I’ve gone through phases too, sometimes quitting reading completely, other times gobbling up every book I could get my hands on.
I go through dry spells occasionally, but I never give up reading completely. I’d miss it too much.
I had to have a parent-teacher conference because I wrote a book report on Judy Bloom’s “Are You There God, it’s Me Margaret” in fourth grade. The teacher said it’d be better for a 6th grader until my mom brought in the list of books I’d read already. I also remember them not believing me when I had read 100 over the summer. My mom (and the library) backed me up then too.
Ha! Did you ever read for the MS Read-a-thon? People sponsored you for a certain amount per book. I read like a fiend – it was cheaper to pledge a set amount than a per-book amount!
I love how you found your place in your new class through reading :).
Your posts always make me think of things in a different and very welcome way, Dana! “Phase reading” – I totally do that! Crime fiction is my current obsession and I have devoured most of Tana French’s books. Also love Kate Atkinson’s Jackson Brodie series (although she could write sweet nothings on toilet paper and I’d read it). Can’t wait to hear about your summer reads!
I just went to Goodreads to look up the Jackson Brodie series, and guess what? I actually own Case Histories – I bought it at a Scholastic Book Fair and never read it. I will definitely read it now – thanks! Although I didn’t love her Life After Life, and I bailed on A God in Ruins. Maybe I just don’t get Atkinson? Don’t hate me 🙁
A friend recommended Bel Canto to me. It was beautiful but broke my heart. Sigh. The Handmaid’s Tale is on my to-read list 🙂
It’s a good one…I think I read it in English in high school. The movie isn’t great though – don’t waste your time.
I tend to skip around, but when I was younger, I would certainly read and finish entire series before moving on to the next one. All those Judy Blume, Sweet Valley High, creepy V.C. Andrews, I devoured all of them! Then I moved on to Stephen King and Anne Rice. Now I am everywhere, but I will say I did read the Twilight, Hunger Games, and Divergent series. When people talk about something, I want to read it. And now onto the Outlander series because I love the tv show!
Oh, I forgot about my V.C. Andrews and Anne Rice phases!
The Outlander show is great. I was worried about it because I love the books so much, but I think they’ve done a really good job bringing it to the screen.
I have so little time to read now that I am in the audiobook stage. It works for now, but I look forward to the day when I’ll have more time on my hands (and more sleep!) when I can pickup a book and turn the pages.
I am loving audiobooks – I just started listening this year. But they will never replace a real book. You’ll get back there someday!
I LOVE reading so much. And yes, I go through phases where I want a light read. Then I go to more serious books. Mysteries. But I usually am always reading a book.
Me too, Amber!
Ohhh I can’t wait to find out the books you’ve read this summer! I’m in need for a good book!
http://www.artadorned.com
I hope to share soon! You can always check out my list of all the books I’ve reviewed, too.
I love your book posts! I love Ann Patchett – but believe it or not, I’ve not read her fiction, just her nonfiction. I haven’t read the Outlander series, but think I should – a number of my friends love it. Can’t wait to read about your summer reading:)!@:)
I haven’t read any of Patchett’s nonfiction – I’ll have to try that. Yes – try Outlander!
I love your book reviews and read many of your recommendations. If I find an author I like, I usually read everything they’ve written before moving on. I prefer fiction too, although I have started to read more nonfiction than in the past. Looking forward to hearing what you’ve read this summer!
I will binge read an author I like too, Marie. I love that Goodreads tells me when an author I’ve read comes out with a new novel, so I can get on the library waitlist asap!
These books bring back so many memories Dana! I started off with The Bobsey Twins and The Baby Sitters Club. I just finished The City by Dean Kootz and just put a hold on The Aviator’s Wife 🙂
I love putting books on hold, but sometimes they all come in at the same time and I have to read really quickly!
Do you know I was never a real avid reader? Nope. I couldn’t sit still long enough… I still struggle to do that, actually.
But I’ve definitely gotten better. I have not read enough fiction, I tend to lean toward books that are non-fiction, faith-based, inspirational, or biographical. I LOVE that you read so much… I can tell- it’s all in your intellect.
Keep sharing those book reviews- I learn SO much from them, and from you!
I’m so glad to hear that, Chris. My husband and son don’t read much, either – they’d rather be up and moving. I could sitting for hours and get lost in a book!
Oh wow this post is so lovely. I love it read. Just this year I found Goodreads and I´m very happy because I loved and I enjyed read to much!
xx
I love Goodreads too – it’s great to keep track of books I’ve read and want to read.
And you had me at Encyclopedia Brown! As an adult I have to be drawn into a book pretty quickly or I go on to the next one. As you said, “life is too short to read crappy books”. PS I loved your 6 word entry. Ah, more sleep is always good!
It really is – high school just starts too darn early.
I give a book 100 pages…if it hasn’t convinced me by then, I’m done.
I definitely do phases – always have. And lately I have been reading more nonfiction than before, and before it was zero books, so even one is more!
I went through a phase in college in which I was trying to rediscover something so I read EVERY single Sweet Valley Twins book. Ever. Even ones I hadn’t read as a kid.
Ha – Allie mentioned Sweet Valley High too! I don’t know how I forgot to mention them.
I have phases and then I also have challenges like top 100 lists. Usually I try to mix it up with contemporary fiction, then a classic, then maybe some sci fi or fantasy, then a mix of genres and around and around. For a while I was reading nonfiction about the brain and how we believe. Right now I’m into literary sci fi. Reading Jeff Vandermeer’s Southern Reach trilogy. It’s a smart page-turning series and it seems each book kind of mines a different genre. Have you read it? Loving it so far! Can’t wait to hear what you’ve read.
I’m doing a challenge this year, but I’m at the point where I only have a few categories left and it’s getting tough. I haven’t read that trilogy, but I just read a teaser on Goodreads and it looks good! I’ll check it out – thanks Liz!
I totally stand behind you on the sucky book mantra – life is too short!!! My book club keeps my reading eclectic, so I’m not too much in a phase – except I try to read a lot of young adult as that is what I write. (Thanks for the Leviathan recommendation a few weeks ago. Must get!)
I would love to know what you think after you read it, Julia! And I can’t wait to read your book 🙂
My only phases of reading are ones were I read and ones where I don’t! 🙂 I have not read much at all this summer, but now that the kids are back in school, I need to pick up another book! I bought All tHE Light We Cannot See a few weeks ago, but I admit I am totally intimidated by it, so I haven’t started yet!
It was good, Lisa – not the easiest read, but definitely worth it. Good luck getting back into the reading phase!
–Such a fun post.
No wonder you’re so smart!
I’m reading Diary of a Young Girl presently ( Again ) and before that, Night (Again)
I’m finding it VERY difficult coming to the realization that those atrocities truly happened and
I get SOOOOOOO Angry about it, ashamed, appalled, unable to sleep.
…I LOVE Anne abundantly, so that helps.
—My fave. summer books have been Girl on a Train and Life After Life.
xxx
Night – what a powerful book. I haven’t read Diary of a Young Girl – that’s a movie now, right? I’ll always read the book first.
Oh, ignore that last stupid comment. I was thinking of Diary of a Teenager Girl – duh. Diary of a YOUNG Girl – Anne Frank. I know what you mean; it’s difficult to read books about the Holocaust, but we must bear witness. Never again.
I think you know how much I love to read, but sadly this has been such a crazy summer here and I have slacked a bit, but hopeful with the kids going back to school, I can get more reading in now. Also, can’t wait to see your upcoming review from all your summer reading, because I seriously need some suggestions to get me back on track now. And I agree that you can never go wrong with Judy Blume and a few months back read her most recent, as well 🙂
I haven’t read her most recent one, but I loved all her books as a kid. I’ve read a ton this summer – I’ll share soon!
You had me at Judy Blume! I also loved Sweet Valley High (who knew I would grow up and have twins of my own!?) and Watership Down was one of my all time favorites! Right now I’m reading Ronda Rousey’s book My Fight / Your Fight and it’s so motivating! I know that’s not your cup of tea but we do have so much reading in common. I can’t wait for a new list from you since you always pick winners!! Read on mama!
I will! I’m loving the audiobooks too. I forgot about Sweet Valley High…I wanted to be Elizabeth.