What are we talking about today?

I'll get back to theme days once I find a groove of posting regularly. In the meantime, most of my posts are about some variation of books, bikes, buses, or Broadway. Plus bits about writing, nonprofits, and grief from time to time.

This blog is mostly lighthearted and pretty silly. It's not about the terrible things happening in the world, but please know that I'm not ignoring those things. I just generally don't write about them here.

21 April 2011

R is for Reading

And what else would I write about on 'R' day?

I love sharing the story of how I learned to read, so here it is: The Electric Company. With some help from Sesame Street. Yes, I learned how to read from watching public television. It didn't hurt, of course, that my parents kept the house full of books. Reading was my first hobby, and it's one I'll continue until my last day (even if I lose my eyesight-- they have books on CD now, you know!).

So it comes as no surprise to me that the most frequent advice given to would-be writers is to read a lot. And that's advice I'm happy to take, naturally. (Some of my classmates take issue with this advice, I've noticed-- maybe it works for them to write without reading. I couldn't possibly do it, that's certain.) I do read across a fairly wide range of genres, not just my own. Actually (and this is probably a terrible thing to say), I'm not that wild about reading in my own genre. There aren't that many writers in Christian women's literature who can pull it off without being really sappy. (We can't all be Francine Rivers, alas.)

That's not to say that I'm going into this genre hoping to "fix" it. No, my main goal is to produce a book that I would want to read, and never mind what everyone else is doing. If other people want to read what I've written, too, then so much the better. Erica and Christy have a great quote from Toni Morrison in the sidebar of their blog: "If there's a book that you really want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it." A great ambition, methinks.

Do you like reading? Do you remember when you learned to read? Do you have a favourite book that I must read right away or the world will come to an end?

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

I learned to read at my mothers knee...by the time I hit public school I was well ahead (reading wise) of the other first year kids. In the absence of anything to read I have been known to sit at the breakfast table reading labels.

Sylvia said...

One of the first books I loved to read was Winnie the pooh.

I haven't looked back since, as my library post states :)

Patricia A. Timms-McGehee said...

Ahhh, Sesame Street. I learned to count to ten in Spanish from Sesame Street. Now even though it's on my kids are not at all interested in it. Sad.

Hopefully you can find some interesting Christian reads soon. Good luck!

J E Fritz said...

Hm, I don't remember when I learned to read, which is weird because I can remember things from when I was three. I think the very first book I read was One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish. Dr. Seuss was always my favorite.

Su said...

@mybabyjohn: Sigh, 'tis true.

@Sylvia: Excellent. :D

@Patricia: I would be heartbroken if my children didn't like Sesame Street!

@JE: I love me some Dr. Seuss. There's an exhibit just now at one of the art galleries in town with a bunch of his paintings that weren't released until after he died (or something-- I wasn't paying that close of attention during the tour, b/c I was looking at the pictures). Very cool!

Trisha said...

I love reading! Whether it's actual books, or my friends' awesome writing :D

Heather Henry said...

Wow, The Electric Company, I loved that show.
I learned to read at an early age, I've always had a fascination for books. I love going to libraries, bookstores and sitting on the floor and reading through everything. I worked at our library for a bit, as a page, the problem was, as I put books away, I would find new books and I'd end up taking home books every day. So many books, so little time.
I am currently reading, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer and I have to say, it is quite remarkable. Truly one of the best books I've ever read. His writing is phenomenal.

Charlie's Church of Christ said...

I like reading - I've been reading fewer books lately unfortunately because of my blogging interest. Of course that is still reading - I just take in books slower now.

My essential book is the cliche Life Is Pi

KM Nalle said...

I love to read as well although finding time for it amidst work, blogging, writing and family time is challenging. I loved the Janette Oke books when I was a kid. As and adult, I've given up reading Christian Fiction because I never end up liking the books. The first book I can remember reading is a little Golden book with kittens and Grover's Monster Book.

Mary@GigglesandGuns said...

I don't remember not reading. I cross genres because so much interests me. I must say though that Christian fiction is often more preachy than entertaining.

Su said...

@Trisha: Yay!

@Heather: I could never work at a library. I'd get fired for getting distracted because of all the books. :(

@Charlie: Too true-- blog-reading does cut into my book-reading, and vice versa.

@Kari: I like some of Janette Oke's books. My grandmother tried to push the Love Comes Softly series on me when I was a teen, but I'm not wild about them. And I loved the Golden books!

@Giggles: Sigh... that's what I don't like about them. Also, a lot of them are just plain boring.

Anonymous said...

I'm not sure if I remember the first books I read for myself... might be Mister Men or Thomas the tank engine. I definitely remember my parents reading me Narnia and Chronicles of Geburah when I was very young. I still love to read, though it's hard to find the time, and I listen to a lot of books on audio lately.

I'm starting up a 'Critiquing Crusaders' program, where participants in the Second Crusade can find other writers to exchange critiques with or form critiquing circles. If you're interested, come by The Kelworth Files to check it out!

erica and christy said...

I was just talking to my TA at school about these shows! Loved the Electric Company!

Isn't that a great quote?? Glad it inspired you!
erica

Su said...

@Kelworth: I love Mister Men! And that sounds like a cool idea; thanks!

@Erica: I would totally buy The Electric Company on DVD and force my children to watch it. And yes, that quote is fab!