When I was in first grade, I had a hard time learning to read. I vaguely remember having to work extra hard to learn what the other kids were picking up. But once I got it, I never stopped. By second grade, I was reading on a sixth grade level. Needless to say I became obsessed with books and would read anything I could get my hands on. My dad would take me to the library and make me promise not to read my book in less than a day (that never worked). I’d have gone to the library every day if I could — heck, I’d have lived there if I could! I remember my mom having to take books from me and hide them so I wouldn’t stay up all night under the covers with a flashlight finishing it. As a kid, we didn’t always have the funds to keep up with my reading habit, so I relied on the school and public libraries to fill in the gaps. Still, I remember envying my cousins ever-full bookshelf. I think this is why today I buy books before I buy anything else. I was lucky to find a man who loves reading and our home is filled with books — and thus, both my children have picked up our habit.
So here are just a few books who made a profound imprint on my book reading soul.
A Wrinkle in Time (series) by Madeleine L’engle
The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
The Chronicles of Narnia (series) by C.S. Lewis
The Nancy Drew series by Carolyn Keene
Little House on the Prairie series by Laura Ingalls Wilder
The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
Dealing with Dragons (series) by Patricia C. Wrede
The Babysitter’s Club series by Ann Martin
The Boxcar Children series by Gertrude Chandler Warner
The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline B. Cooney
Goosebumps series by R.L. Stine
Sweet Valley High series by Francine Pascal
The Giver by Louis Lowry
Wayside School series by Lois Sachar
Much love,
Jess
Special shout-out to the awesome Sarah of Puss Reboots for the Armchair BEA
I loved Goosebumps and Nancy Drew as a kid. Thanks for the reminder of those:)
Haha, I know! I bought my daughter a bunch of Nancy Drews at the book thrift and I was tempted to re-read them. Do you remember the Goosebumps about the girl who thought the boy next door was a ghost and found out she was the one who was the ghost. That was my favorite. Man, good times!
thanks for sharing. Narnia is definitely my favorite here
I think I read at least a few books of everything you listed except Nancy Drew. I’m not sure why I never read them. Love A Wrinkle in Time, I devoured all of the L’Engle books my library had! I love so many of these!