The Evolution, De-evolution and Re-evolution of a Reader
People
say that you shouldn't judge readers by what they read. I tend to
agree with that as sometimes I'm in a silly read mood and sometimes I
want a book that kicks my ass and makes me think hard. Sometimes I just
want something to read while I eat a sandwich. But.... I do think you
can watch an interesting advance of a reader's life stages by what they
read.
I started off life as an advanced reader. I was a serious girl with few
friends and an introverted demeanor. I also, thanks to my mother, had a
high regard for good vocabulary and a strong desire for reading. I was
insistent on learning what those words were and what they meant. Any
word I didn't know I immediately lodged in my databanks until
a knowledgeable person or a dictionary came my way.
By the age of 8 I had read, and mostly understood, Watership Down. At 9
the Thorn Birds had me in it's grip. John Jakes' entire taming of
America series had me at 10. Then at 11 I discovered Chariots of the Gods and had plenty to think abut there! Any horse book whatsoever, even books on
the care of tack, found it's way into my hands. I was the most knowledgeable
non-horse owner ever. In between these books, when I was running and low
and Auntie wasn't paying attention, her Jackie Collins super racy novels made their way
to my reading corner. Now that was an education in itself!
I read serious books that were over my reading pay grade. I learned a lot while living in my small corners of Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia.
Then
puberty hit and suddenly I read nothing but romance novels. For years
nothing but romance. But the Harlequin variety, the innocent ones. Barbara Cartland baby,
all the way. As I got a bit older I veered toward Jude Deveraux.
Another tame and loving romance writer. I will admit that horror
titillation is always a draw during this age and there was any new
Stephen King and Dean Koontz added to the reading list.But that was all I read - romance/scary stuff. I did not grow in my reading range at all.
I kept this up for a number of years, until real life ended up in my lap - marriage, babies, mortgages. Suddenly, where many a reader say
they want to escape into a good romance, I found them silly and
useless. I have honestly not read a romance in years, except for the
occasional one that passes my reviewer desk. While the writing may be
glorious (Jude Deveraux remains my standard) I couldn't relate and
began to once again branch out.
I joined the Book of the Month Club and also the Paperback Book of the
Month Club. Oh the Joy! I discovered Amy Tan, Margaret Atwood, Barbara
Kingsolver, Larry McMurtry and so many more. I revisited my old
favorites - read Gone with the Wind and the Thorn Birds again. John
Jakes was remembered. So many more great and talented authors were
found. I have never looked back.
I read Book Club selections and the New Releases section of
the library for years, until yet a new miracle happened - the World Wide
Web. I discovered Blogs.. and writing... and writing
about BOOKS! People actually like to read what other people write about
books! Amazing. Then I discovered if you're serious enough about it
all, publishers want you to read their books and talk about them! Nirvana!
Now I read almost anything. I read books written from across town, and
across the world. No genre or subject is turned away without thought
given first as to why I would do so. My world is so much wider than
it ever has been. Without my passion for books, I would have never been
offered this opportunity to be part of the book world and to have such
access to the books themselves.
Thank heavens I kept evolving and didn't stagnate on any particular level.
So I can honestly say that not only have books tracked my path through
life and assisted me as I have evolved in more than just my reading passion, but you can watch
my reading patterns and see where I was in life at that time.
How about you?
Idgie