Character Connections

Engrossed in a Nancy Drew mystery novel in the 70's

Nothing has brought me more joy in life than books. Except maybe my children. But in a different way. Because in books I've had hundreds of children, vicariously, which is a much easier way to have children.

A few months ago I created a Pinterest Board called Books I Loved as A Kid and Read Over and Over Again.  This scrapbook board is a loving tribute to the stories and characters that shaped my childhood, and probably the person I am today.  The reasons I had to read same books over and over again were:

• I only had a few books;
• I loved them more every time I read them; and
• Our neighborhood bookmobile showed up about once a month if we were lucky and only let me take a few books at a time (despite my earnest pleading)

The sight of a Bookmobile today still makes me feel happy

As a result of reading the same books over and over again, I would venture to say that my character development was much influenced by the many beloved characters in these books. Therefore, I'm pretty sure that I grew up to be a combination of the following:

• Trixie Belden  
• Nancy Drew
• Betsy Ray 
• Jo March 
• Huckleberry Finn
• Merlin
• Queen Elizabeth I
• Archie Goodwin
• Johnny Tremain
• Anne Frank
• Harriet Tubman
• Jane Addams 
• Charlotte the Spider
• Alice in Wonderland 
• Atticus Finch
• And the sappy heroines of the paperback Harlequin Romance novels of the 70's and 80's

In turn, this makes me an old-fashioned, romantic, naive, inquisitive, intrepid, self-conscious, confused, mercurial, tragic, pioneering, persevering, skeptical, rebellious, philosophical, optimistic, sarcastic, magical, activist, writer, social worker CEO.

Or maybe I have multiple personality disorder.   :D

I also read "In Cold Blood" many times but I don't particularly identify with any of its heinous characters although I did become a little obsessed reading about Truman Capote for a while. Not sure how that factors in to the picture.  

I still love to read and collect my favorite books which I keep in my Library Loft.  I'm also lucky to have raised 3 kids who like to read.  I think that having books around the house is critical in helping kids discover the joys of reading - and as fabulous as the e-reader may be, that's just not the same thing in terms of providing physical fodder to facilitate literacy on a daily basis at home; especially for the younger kids.  Dr Seuss may be available on the Kindle or on your kid's reading app, but I just don't think that's a proper substitute for the book itself.  And if it's out of sight (i.e. turned off) it's out of mind.  In our home there are books everywhere. 

Books in the bedroom

Books(and pictures of course) in the living room

Books in the loft

Books in Zoe's room

Books in the closet

Books we are going to give away