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September 29, 2003
Favorite Childhood Books
Many have commented on this theme, and while I haven't seen the original post I thought I would post some of mine.
T.S. O'Rama reminded me of one that I truly loved as a child, though it is down on the list. Thanks for the reminder, I believe I shall look at it yet once again.
All-time Top of the List
Tom Sawyer Mark Twain--(I read it three times every year starting in third grade. Around age 35, I reduced it to twice, but still every year)
Alice in Wonderland Through the Lookingglass and What Alice Found There Lewis Carroll-- (once a year every year since grade 5)
The Lord of the Rings --J. R. R. Tolkien (regularly since grade 6)
A Light in the Forest Conrad Richter(?)
My Side of the Mountain Jean Craighead George
Collected Tales of Edgar Allan Poe (I was a morbid little thing. Particularly liked "User" and "Masque of the Red Death"
The Illustrated Man, The Martian Chronicles, Dandelion Wine--Ray Bradbury 7th grade on.
A Tale of Two Cities Fourth grade on
The Collected Tales of H.P. Lovecraft (ditto Clark Ashton Smith, ditto Robert Howard) I told you I was a morbid sort.
Foundation Trilogy and Dune (Grade 6 on)
These (except for Light in the Forest) have remained on my current reading list since that early time. Naturally I read them somewhat differently now, but they are good friends, solid companions, and a source of a certain comfort that other books generally cannot provide--they stay with me to this very day and I delight in thinking about them. It is my hope that my own son develop a similar list and it serves him as well.
Posted by Steven Riddle at September 29, 2003 11:46 AM
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Comments
While it isn't exactly a childhood favorite, I used to hold in highest esteem *Catcher in the Rye*(JD Salinger). I read it as a sophomore in high school and immediately idolized the angst-ridden "hero" Holden Caulfield (I'm doing this from memory so please bear with me). I re-read the book as a senior in high school. I was still enamored with the young Holden. Again, freshman in college. I sympathized with the lad. Once more, as a senior in college. He was a little annoying, but still, he had a really good point. A few years ago, I was about to recommend the book to a niece. I thought "better read it again before making a recommendation." Mind you, now I'm a thirty-something mother of four...I couldn't even get through the book. Holden Caulfield was a foul-mouthed ninnyhammer who needed a swift kick in the backside. What was I thinking?
I am amazed at how drastic the change in my perception is. Thank goodness. I must be a bona fide grown up now.
Posted by: Micki at September 30, 2003 5:07 PM