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My Lifetime Love of Reading by LSUReader + Giveaway
Filed in 1000 follower celebration , Giveaways , Guest Post , The HEA Lover Posted on October 16, 2011 @ 11:00 am
36 comments
We are happy to welcome LSUReader here at our Book Lovers United celebration. When we started brainstorming about who to ask for a guest post she was on the list ASAP but we weren’t sure if she would agree. She isn’t a blogger like the rest of our guests. So we were unbelievably proud and happy happy when she agreed to come over. LSUReader will tell us about her life and how tightly reading is woven into it. Please give her an extra warm welcome. Mom must have read to me in utero. I can’t remember a time in my life when I didn’t love reading.
What I can remember is sitting on my father’s lap in his living room recliner, while he taught me to read from Dr. Seuss books. I was four. He’d pronounce each word carefully, then read the sentence completely, with inflection. “Read with expression,” he’d urge. It was fun!
I can remember going to the library with Mom, to check out books to read by myself. My favorite was The Big Snow, by Berta and Elmer Hader. It didn’t matter that snow was not going to happen in my part of south Louisiana. I had that book. And it snowed whenever I wanted it to. That was freedom!
I can clearly remember my sixth-grade history teacher asking 11-year-old me, “Does your mother know you’re reading that?” He pointed to my book—Gone with the Wind. I told him yes, and he nodded and moved on. A different school teacher once told me, “I wish I had a nickel for every book you’d read.” “You’d be rich,” I replied. He smiled and said, “I know.” That was empowering.
I grew up, but never outgrew my love of reading. I moved seamlessly from Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys to Agatha Christie and beyond.
You know how, for some folks, music is a trigger, to remind them of certain times in their lives? For me, books do that. Bruce Catton’s Civil War accompanied me to the hospital for the birth of my son. If I see a copy of Chuck Yeager’s autobiography, it reminds me of the birth of my daughter. When I left my corporate job, I switched to reading fiction. Home alone one day, I grabbed a book from a stack Mom passed on to me— John Grisham’s The Rainmaker—threw myself on the couch and didn’t get up till I was finished. I read all day. That was decadent…and habit-forming!
My family will tell you that I still can spend all day reading (unless there is an LSU football game on.) Or that I read too much. Or that I bring too many books on vacation. Or that the house is overflowing with books. We all have our vices. I’m happy to be able to share mine with other Book Lovers.
I’m a grandmother now. I really do have a lifetime of reading behind me; and I hope I have a lot of reading time before me, too. I read romance, mysteries and other genres. And I read a lot of Dr. Seuss books—sitting in my den recliner, with one or both of my toddler grandkids in my lap. I still read with expression. And it’s still fun!
So, sister Book Lovers, what about you?
What are some memories you have of beginning your lifetime love of reading?
Thank you LSUReader for being part of our big celebration!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~*~*Giveaway*~*~
Now let’s talk giveaway! I’m giving away 3 swag packs (postcards, signed bookmarks, trading cards…) to 3 lucky commenters!
AND Stella our Latin Lover is also giving away a swag pack (book covers, postcards, magnets, bookmarks, romance trading cards, CD with excerpts, etc.) to 1 commenter!
AND Stella our Latin Lover is also giving away a swag pack (book covers, postcards, magnets, bookmarks, romance trading cards, CD with excerpts, etc.) to 1 commenter!
You’re also getting an extra entry for the main giveaway if you entered our Big 1000 Followers Giveaway here.
All you have to do is answer LSUReader’s question or leave a comment about her post.
(You can read our full giveaway policy here)
Please leave us a way to contact you.
(Email or twitter name – no way to contact you – no entry).
This giveaway is open worldwide!
Giveaway ends on 22 October and we will announce the winner on Sunday.
Bonne chance!!
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I will never forget the first book I ever read – Around the World in 80 Days – or how my father bought me this book and suggest me I read it!Ever since,I just never passed any book recommendations from my father!
I have also entered the Big 1000 giveaway.
anniech85(at)gmail(dot)com
O what a great blogpost! I have loved reading ever since I learned to read. Even at a young age, I used to read in the breaks at school, something frowned upon as I was not playing with the other kids. Whenever my schoolwork was done, I could read my book from the schoollibrary, which encouraged me to finish quickly. As a result, I was always very good at language, and dictating tests.
I remember going to the library almost daily, ever since I was allowed to go by myself. I did not only take my own card, but also those from my sister and mother, so I could borrow more books at once. I rapidly devoured the children books section, and went on to the adult books.
I was lost when I discovered romances, historical romances. And that triggered my love for fantasy novels, and as last paranormal romance. I can't imagine a time not reading. I have a house filled with books, and am blessed with a boyfriend who accepts it. Even though he doesn't read himself.
Oops, forgot again: auriansbooks at gmail dot com + 1000 followers give away.
I still have my all time favorite kid when I was a kid and it's a treasure to me. It certainly hasn't been the first book I ever read, but with it I knew that books are a big part of my life. The book? "My Bedtime Book of Magic Carpet Stories" by Patricia Taylor (1971)
+1 Entered the BIG 1000
danaan at gmx dot at
i remember reading under a teachers desk.. we had an hour long reading time in grade 3 and i used to hide under there to read..
romance wise, i used to sneak my moms books (julie garwood!!) and read them.. i remember taking one (lyons lady i think) and hiding in the car reading it by the overhead light at night..
alainala AT hotmail DOT ca
(+1 for entering the big 1000 followers contest!)
Some of my first books were Dr. Seuss. I love Dr. Seuss' books. After that, I started reading comic books, Little Women, Little Men, Jo's Boys, all the Tarzan books, and my all-time favorite, Pride and Prejudice.
I was not a good reader when I was younger. When I was a teenager a teacher recommended Agatha Christie and Sherlock Holmes. I was hooked! I read very slowly back in those days but I worked my way through and now I am a voracious reader!
+1 1000 follower post
jepebATverizonDOTnet
I remember my mother reading a story to me about a horse that gets really sick, but in the end the horse gets better. When I could read myself I decided to read that story myself.
The horse died!
I learned a valuable lesson that day: you can better read books yourself, because then you're sure you get the right story! 😉
I never liked to read when I was young, but I loved for my papa to read to me. Those are good memories 🙂
justforswag(AT)yahoo(DOT)com
when i first started learning reading i remember it was difficult for me – especially because i learned it in my second (now first) mother tongue. but then one day in summer on a school trip to the library i fell in love with the library and consequently with reading. i drove my bike nearly every week to check at least 5 books out. i was a fast reader. my mom and dad were always proud that i read so many books though mom always reminded me to go outside once in a year 😉
until i got to university my reading time significantly reduced – mostly because of all the important tests etc. from then on i got a bit bored with books, mainly because of university – i had to read a lot of boring books. but now i am starting to read books that i like again.
witchvela at web dot de
My birthday was past the deadline to start school the year I turned 6, so my Dad taught me to read and write that winter.
I don't remember the books he used. The first book I remember reading was Bambi.
kissinoak at frontier dot com
I read the continued Gone with the wind at the age 🙂
But ok memories, borrowing 30 horsebooks one time and somehow getting them home from the bookmobile, dunno how I did it
blodeuedd83
Hello,
thanks for sharing so good and personals memories with us.
Like i told in another post my fisrt book was " la voix du sang" meaning The shout of blood. As you can imagine my teacher was terrified when i told her i didn't want to read her stuff to childish because i was reading that book ^^. She called my mother and it was a lot lot of discussion about proper reading and such ( the worst was that it was not a book for child yes but not an hooror one too so nothing disturbing for me)
At the end i was permitted to higher reading than the other of the class ( but not real book with the teacher) at home i could sit with my mother is the sofa and read near the fire. When i didn't know the meaning of a work she helped but never she forbade me any book.
For me it was magic but even now she is as happy she could get when i read and in the same time i annoy her because when i'm in a book i love you can shout next to me i heard nothing…totally captivated so it's not easy when she need my help at these moment.
i whish a lot of new good books to read^^
thanks for these giveaways
+1000 followers giveaway
isabelle(dot)frisch(at)gmail(dot)com
I think when I started reading some of the Stephen King books back in high school is what started me on the path of being a book lover and liking more books in the paranormal and paranormal romance genre. =) Awesome giveaway too by the way and thanks for the opportunity to enter! =)
Valerie Long (Scorpio1974 on GFC)
just.val.1974@gmail.com
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Jewelry Creations by V.S. Long – https://www.facebook.com/vsl1974
What fun to read your post, LSU reader!! (Not entering, just dropping in!!)
I never liked reading much when I was a kid, with the school programs making you pick apart every sentence, it ruined reading for me. I only started reading maybe 3 years ago, since then I haven't looked back. Twilight got me back into reading followed by Charlaine Harris's Sookie Stackhouse books.
+1 entered 1000 followers giveaway
bookdevoteereviews(at)hotmail(dot)com
Awesome post! Ditto on the 'parents must have read to me in utero' thing–family legend is that I was born with a book in my hand!
Peter and Wendy by J.M. Barrie was a huge part of my childhood. I think it was my first favorite book, and for Years, I firmly believed Peter and Tink would fly through my window one night and take me with them to Neverland. I even lined up my stuff animals every night and told them stories, like Wendy did, hoping Peter would come for me.
And while he never did, those stories I'd tell were the precursor for me growing up to be a writer.
So yeah, Peter and Wendy had a huge impact on not just my childhood, but my entire life. Such is the power of a good book.
Smiles!
Lori
LSUReader, it is a pleasure to meet you! I really enjoyed your post.
Although I am an avid reader, I don't have the fond memories of parents encouraging me to read that you do. But, at this point, why or how I started no longer matters. What matters is that I read and that I always will.
kacbooks(at)hotmail(dot)com
i rember reading sweet valley high books but i got them from freinds
kim h
Thanks, Susi and Caro, for the invitation to post a column on my favorite blog! Congrats to all the Book Lovers for reaching 1000+ followers; what a wonderful testimony to the efforts you all put in to making this a uniquely fun and interesting gathering spot.
Sorry I’m late getting back to all you lovely folks…I’ve been traveling for most of the day, but I’m here now!
Anna—Thank goodness for parents who introduced us to reading. We’re so lucky.
Aurian—Glad you enjoyed the post! I still love libraries, don’t you?
Birgit—Sounds like you are a true Book Lover, to still treasure your favorite kid’s book.
Alainala—I started with Julie Garwood’s romantic suspense books. I STILL need to read Lyon’s Lady (hands head in shame.)
Mbreakfield—Yes! I went through the Louisa May Alcott books just as you did. Great books and great memories.
Jen B.—I think mysteries are an excellent introduction to get inquisitive minds hooked on books. Glad it worked for you.
Sullivan McPig—I’m sure your mother loves you very much!
Chelsea B.—Glad the column triggered some good memories for you.
Yto—Responsibilities do have a way of interfering with what we want to read. There were times in my life when I didn’t read at all for pleasure. Ugh—glad those times are finished!
Estella—Another great reading dad! Thanks for your comment.
Blodeuedd—Bringing home 30 books at one time? I think I’d move that one from the “memories” column over to “accomplishments.”
Miki—Good for you (and your mom!) I know all about getting consumed by books, too.
Scorpio1974—There are lots of great PNR/UF series to love nowadays, including one by Carolyn Crane, who has a guest post here today. Her Disillusionist trilogy is wonderful.
Carolyn—Thanks for stopping by. Can't wait to read Head Rush!
Jet—As long as you enjoy reading now, that’s what counts, right?
LoriStrongin—Born with a book in your hand…I like that! Love the vision of you reading to your stuffed animals.
Karen C—Glad you enjoyed the post. Congrats on becoming a Book Lover on your own!
Anonymous—Books: Just one more good reason to appreciate our friends.
Hi LSUReader, thanks for the great guest post and letting us get to know you better 🙂
My mom used to read the comics to my little brother and I when we were little. I would see her reading romance novels all the time when I was little and she used to read a book Called Little Boy Blue to me and my little brother. I inherited that book when she passed away this past June. I didn't even know she still had it but I have such great memories each time I see the book.
miztik_rose@yahoo.com
Hi there LSUreader and thank you for the wonderful post! makes me all nostalgic and I'm only 23 LOL
I remember a similar incident in 5th grade where during a break, everyone else was doing some sort of activity and I didn't leave me chair, instead I pulled out a book- I did this for most of the breaks we were allowed and one day he came up to me and said "you know you don't have to read" and I replied with a smile (though I recall being mildly irritated at being interrupted LOL) "I know, I want to"- he looked bemused and said "you really are a wonderful girl"- he is one of the 2 favorite teachers I ever had.
No one in my family has ever been as big a reader (except my grandad bless him) and I hope to pass on the love with my children…but I'm not a sharer so i may just buy them new copies haha
thanks for the memories shared!
midnite dot fantasy at gmail dot com
Go, Dog, Go was one of the first books I remember. So of course I bought it for my kids. Thanks for the post 🙂
Waouh you remember things so well ! I'm a such lost case, I forgot very quickly everything. I could tell my first book was about a girl named Beatrice, but after that… Good question… Sometimes I would love to know to find out this book.
Thanls for the giveaway
+1000 followers giveaway
ellana_(at)hotmail(dot)fr
Well, thank you for the post, I really enjoyed reading it! 🙂
My reading story isn't a great story, but a little "sad" one. A few years ago I started to download ebooks and I put them on my mp4. I read a lot then and I read even in the dark and my eyesight got bad. Now I have to wear glasses – that I regret, but I don't regret reading because now I can't imagine my life without it 🙂 All my friends know how much I love reading and they always let me speak about the book I've just read even though they don't know the characters and the stories I'm talking about 😀
mikki-mano@hotmail.com
Mary— Thanks for sharing. What a wonderful story about your mother.
Camille—That’s such a great memory! I wonder if your 5th grade teacher knows you still recall his comment.
Sharon–Go Dog Go! is my grandson’s favorite. I think I can recite it from memory.
Mellaine—Was that one of Beverly Cleary’s books? It sounds familiar.
Vojalyn—I’m sorry about your eyesight, but I’m glad you have good friends who understand your love of reading.
I have very few memories of my childhood. I blocked a lot out because it wasn't really happy. But I definitely remember living within walking distance of our local library and going at least once a week to get a stack of books! Then I would either climb to the top of the tree in our front yard where no one could see me and read, or go into my secret reading spot in the basement to read! Books were my escape, even when I was 5 years old, and they still are. That was the start to my love of reading:)
jwitt33 at live dot com
I remember staying up till all hours of the night reading mysteries…can't remember the titles to save my life though! My mom you to get so mad at me!
mmafsmith at gmail dot com
I actually wasn't a reader when I was a kid. I got interested in reading after I read Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger.The I stopped reading in my 20's.Only to have my niece remind me of my love of books when she started bringing me books to read about 5 years ago.And I haven't stopped since and hopefully won't.I really enjoyed reading your post.
elaing8(at)netscape(dot)net
I used to crawl into my parents bed when I was little and have my dad read to me every evening. He would start changing the story and adding dramatic elements to see if I had fallen asleep. I always caught him! He read everything to me from boxcar children to poetry to greek mythology to medical mysteries (my favorite!).
Thank you for the giveaway!
ssosborn at gmail dot com
Julie—I agree, books are the best escape.
Maria (pronounced Mariah)—I still love mysteries. (My mother does, too!)
Elaing8—How wonderful that your niece reintroduced you to reading. Kids can be great teachers, too!
Sabrina—Oh, Sabrina! It sounds like you had such a fun-loving and devoted dad. What a gift.
My lifetime love of reading began with Roald Dahl. The first time I opened the pages of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, I knew I would never love another book as much as I loved that one. My mum's the big bookworm in my family- in fact, no one else really reads much in my family- so I owe my love of reading to her:)
+1 entered the BIG 1000 giveaway
sarah.setar@gmail.com
Thanks for sharing your love of reading 🙂 In my family, we joke that I was born with a book in my hand because I don't remember learning to read, just first reading Little Miss/Mr books.
smaccall AT comcast.net
I cannot begin to remember my first book! I was reading by age 3. I was too young to have a library card to get books (my parents were way too poor to buy books. I used to live at the library, which was great as I read books I'd have never be exposed to.) Anyway, too young BUT my sister had a library card so mom used to check out books for me on my sister's card until I could have my own card. I believe it was around 5y/o that I got my own card.
I read so much in grade school. Exercise? Who needs to go on the playground when there are books to read. I used to write fake notes from my mother saying I had to stay inside during recess because I was sick. I wasn't sick. I wanted to read.
I have no idea where the love for reading come from. I don't remember my parents reading when I was young, but I definitely inherited a strong reading gene.
Harry Potter, which my mum bought for me when I was about 8, and yes, Dr Seuss books, particularly Green Eggs and Ham and often at my grandparents house. After that I pretty much just lived at the library XD
jessicamariesutton(at)msn(dot)com