Reading Rocks!

I've recently gotten back into reading!

I used to love to read. I couldn't wait for the biannual Scholastic Book Fair to come around in elementary school. By high school, I was placed in a rigorous English class with quite the sophisticated array of assigned literature. I loved learning about the Greats that my teacher insisted were crucial texts every scholar should read.

Shout out Ms. McBrinn. I hope you're still alive! I think she would be very proud of me for sharing my writing with the public. I always felt honored by her tacit nod of approval when she'd hand back my lengthy A+ papers. She had us finishing 2 novels a week and writing 3-5 essays within a 45 minute class period. I've never been so engaged and curious in a classroom. I held on to her every word as she twisted her long blonde ponytail and spoke her informed opinions about symbolism in literature. She confidently (and frequently) proclaimed John Milton to be a "male chauvinist pig." A true feminist icon. I thank her for my expansive vocabulary and knowledge of Greek and Latin etymology. If/when I write a book, look out for her name on the dedication page.

I jumpstarted my literary journey with Julia Fox's memoir Down the Drain. She's an incredible storyteller. Of course, I flexed my annotation muscles; underlining impactful passages in blue ink. I lent my hardcover signed copy to my girl Gorgi who is also highlighting her favorite pieces, in a different color. How cute is that?!

Forget friendship bracelets, get into friendship books. It's an interesting way to get to know a person; through the thoughts they have while reading. A visualization of how two minds relate. Pass it around your friend group, if you have one! Each member uses a different color pen and once you've all read, spend a night chatting about the secondary colors that have formed on the pages.

Once I started reading again, I found myself pining for alone time so I could get back to my book. I forgot the blissful feeling of being immersed in a narrative other than my own. I barreled through Down the Drain in no time. I can't wait for my next read. I'd appreciate if you, dear Reader, included book recommendations in the comments. (:

I've also been reading selected texts by Jung, Nietzsche, Camus, as well as other philosophers and psychoanalysts. They've been assigned to me by professors, I'm not wont to study philosophy in my spare time, but I quite enjoy absorbing new knowledge. Well, I much prefer old knowledge that's survived the test of time but it's all new to me! I love forming my own opinions on the topics they discuss.

To finish off my pro-reading propaganda, I'll let you know my favorite book of all time:

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

I first read it back when I still called them Chapter Books, and it's super elementary. But something impacts me every time I return to it. I recommend you read A Wrinkle in Time prior to picking up When You Reach Me, it enhances the allusions. That's another great book.

I'd hate to be a pretentious reader, I enjoy simple books just as much as sophisticated literature; sometimes even more. Shhh.

Go pick up a book!

TTFN,

Sara