My Life In Books

Inspired by this post. Taken directly from the original post, “I’ve decided to compile a list of my favorite book from each year of my life.” Since I am too lazy to list 24 books based on my 24 years of living, I decided to do the multiples of 3 until I reached 24. I hope you enjoy!

Age 3: Arthur Goes To School by Marc Brown. My grandfather got me my first library card when I was three and he would read to me constantly. He read the Arthur series to me and the Spot the Dog series.

Age 6: The Adventures of Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey. I remember wanting to read this book because an older girl that was on my bus was reading it, and she seemed really into it. My uncle who would babysit me after school would read the Captain Underpants books with me and help me when I struggled.

Age 9: Harry Potter & The Sorcerer’s Stone by J. K. Rowling. I consider this book the first real chapter book I read. I was in the 3rd grade and loved reading anything that had to do with fantasy. I read this 15 years ago and its way over due to be read again.

Age 12: The Divorce Express by Paula Danziger. My parents separated when I was 8 years old so by the time I read The Divorce Express I was used to my situation. For some reason this book really helped me understand that not all children feel the same when their parents get divorced. I was happy when my mom left my dad, however reading about divorce from the point of view of a female who didn’t cope well was something I needed to read. I would read it again but I wonder if it will change my view of the book.

Age 15: Feed by M.T. Anderson. I related to the main character Violet a lot. She was dating Titus who was very vapid and rich. Violet was the odd ball out when it came to Titus and his world. When I read this book in the 9th grade I was going to a new high school and I felt out of place. This is another book that I want to read again and see if my views change.

Age 18: A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry. I read this my senior year in high school. This play popped into my brain because I remember reading it and being frustrated with my fellow students who couldn’t relate to the play.

Age 21: Forever… by Judy Blume. I read this novel three times. First time was in the sixth grade, the 2nd time at 20, and the third time 21. The final time I read this I was beginning to question if the relationship between Michael and Katherine was healthy. It progressed quickly and in the end the relationship was over when they were separated one summer. I still love the book however I noticed a change on how I felt about the main character’s relationship. Forever is another book that I will end up reading again.

Age 24: Joss Whedon and Race: Critical Essays by Mary Ellen Iatropoulos and Lowery A. Woodall III. The essays accumulated for this book made me look at Joss Whedon and Buffy The Vampire slayer differently. It made me question certain characteristics of the main cast and the lack of minorities on the show.