I have been an avid reader since I was about 5 years old. My mom started teaching me when I was very young. I had looked around my living room, seeing my dad engrossed in a large book about geology, my mom doing the NY Times Sunday Crossword puzzle, and my brother sitting on the couch devouring a comic book. I got more and more frustrated, finally announcing in a loud voice, “I wish to HELL I could read!” After the shocked and appalled silence, my mom joined me on the floor and began to teach me.
The gift she gave me has only grown. The only time I lost my love for reading was when I was in graduate school, working on my Master’s Degree as a reading specialist. I wanted to share my love for reading and learning, but it’s amazing that anyone could come through that program and still love to read. I studied so hard and long, taking one class each semester and three each summer while teaching full time. I found I had lost the ability to read for pleasure, tensely reading – taking mental notes – as though I would be tested on the material when I finished. After a year or so, I finally gave myself permission to just enjoy – and my love for reading returned.
I finished re-reading the “Spenser” series by Robert B. Parker a couple of days ago. I was a bit sad to finish the last one. The writers who have tried to emulate him and extend the series just don’t capture the flavor for me.
Now I’m re-reading his “Jesse Stone” series. I love the character created here, and it was only enhanced when Tom Selleck was chosen to be Jesse Stone in the movie versions.
I hope a LOT of people are enjoying the work of their favorite authors, plus finding new ones, to help them through these challenging times.
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