 My very well-loved and well-read copies of Anne. If you're reading this blog, it's probably because you're a reader. Which is also the reason I became a writer—I love to read and want to share my own stories with others. This week on Romance Writers Weekly, we're discussing our favourite books as a child or young adult.
If you joined me from Jenna Da Sie, welcome! I started reading at a fairly early age. Not dramatically early, but by the time I was in Grade Two I was devouring Nancy Drew, Bobbsey Twins and the Hardy Boys. Very shortly after that I moved on to Anne of Green Gables, which still holds a very special place in my heart. The other series that really influenced me as a child was Lord of the Rings. I'm pretty sure I read that around Grade 5 or 6 at the latest, and I still remember how enthralled I was by the world Tolkien built! Looking at those books, you might be wondering how I ended up writing romance. Well, when I ponder these series, it is the personal relationships I remember best. Gilbert was my first book boyfriend. If Anne hadn't come to her senses, I was ready to step in!! And who can forget the love between Arwen and Aragorn? Even the non-romantic connections were what drew me to these characters—Anne and Matthew, Frodo and Sam. To me, stories are about people. That's what makes them memorable, and that's what I want to share with my readers. What stories from your childhood have stuck with you? Be sure to share in the comments! And then hop on over to visit S. C. Mitchell and see what stories he holds dear!
17 Comments
Brenda Dickson
2/21/2017 12:40:28 pm
I have so many books that I treasure from my childhood and still re-read every few years: The "Little House" books by Laura Ingalls Wilder, all of the Anne of Green Gables books and many other books by L.M. Montgomery, the Nancy Drew Books, the Donna Parker books, and the Cherry Ames books. I could go on and on but these some of my very favorites.
Brenda Margriet
2/21/2017 12:42:27 pm
Oh, my! I'd forgotten all about the Little House books! And for years I wanted to be a nurse like Cherry Ames - more to solve the mysteries, though!
Marilyn
2/21/2017 12:48:47 pm
The "Golden Books were the first that I read.The "Honey Bunch" series and the "Bobbsey Twins" are the first that come to my mind. I am a twin so the "Bobbsey Twins" are an obvious choice. As I got older I would say "Little Women" and the "Nancy Drew" series.
Brenda Margriet
2/21/2017 02:01:09 pm
I've never heard of the Honey Bunch series. I'll have to look them up.
Joan
2/21/2017 12:54:21 pm
The most influential books in my childhood and youth are "The "Bobbsey Twins","The Little Colonel',"The Campfire Girls","Judy Bolton","Nancy Drew". "A Tree Grows In Brooklyn,"Mama's Bank Account,"Beverly Gray" and all the Louisa May Alcott books.
Brenda Margriet
2/21/2017 02:01:48 pm
Wow - there's a lot of new reading for me in this list. Sweet!
Marion
2/21/2017 12:57:22 pm
My favorites and those that left an impression on me are: "The Bobbsey Twins",the "Honey Bunch"series,"Ivanhoe" and "Lorna Doone".
Brenda Margriet
2/21/2017 02:02:55 pm
You're not the first to mention the Honey Bunch - I'd never heard of them. And I'm quite surprised at the popularity of the Bobbsey Twins. I had no idea! 2/21/2017 02:01:13 pm
How I loved Gilbert too! Definitely a first book boyfriend. I always watch Anne of Green Gables every year. Lord of the Rings is a great series too, loved those!
Brenda Margriet
2/21/2017 02:03:20 pm
And he became a doctor. Sigh! :)
Angela Cassidy
2/21/2017 02:33:59 pm
I first remember reading Little Golden Books. Fairy tales. Cinderella, Snow White, Robin Hood,...
Brenda Margriet
2/21/2017 02:44:19 pm
I think a lot more people are readers than call themselves readers. After all, reading blogs online is reading! :) And I'm with you about always having a book on hand. That's one of the reasons I love me e-reader.
Anne Hardy
2/21/2017 07:44:31 pm
The books that I remember most vividly include: all of the Anne of Green Gables series (my favourite was Rilla of Ingleside for its
Anne Hardy
2/21/2017 07:51:55 pm
...portrait of the First World War), the Little House series, the Narnia series, the Hobbit, Lord of the Rings and miscellaneous other books, many by British authors. My brothers and I were fortunate to have a mother who was a children's librarian and encouraged us all to read some of the best available material.
Brenda Margriet
2/21/2017 08:00:14 pm
You're mother was a librarian? No wonder you're a reader! And I love Rilla of Ingleside, too. I cried buckets (no spoilers here, but you know why) but I think my favourite scene was when Rilla didn't want to carry the cake through town. So funny!
Christina R
2/24/2017 09:47:17 pm
My favorite children's book is The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
Brenda Margriet
2/25/2017 09:35:00 am
Don't hate me, but I've never read it. I've read ABOUT it, and I think I would cry, so I haven't ever been brave enough to read it. :) Leave a Reply. |