Learning to read was the best thing that could happen to this girl’s wild imagination. Yes, I was great at making up stories on my own, but oh my. The places books could take me.
I still own some of the paperbacks of my youth. I’m surprised these things don’t just crumble in my hands when I pick them up. I lost my complete set of Trixie Belden books many years ago (I loved those books!!), but here are the ones that have managed to safely travel with me from childhood to teen years to married life to motherhood to career woman to grandmotherhood (and a total of 11 moves).
Irish Red by Jim Kjelgaard
National Velvet by Enid Bagnold
Hobby Horse Hill by Lavinia R. Davis
Old Bones, The Wonder Horse by Mildred Mastin Pace
Golden Cloud, Palomino of Sunset Hill by Leland Silliman
Champion Dog Prince Tom by Jean Fritz and Tom Clute
I also have some very old copies of Pride and Prejudice and Gone with the Wind and Count of Monte Cristo and The Red Badge of Courage, and a few others.
I have given away hundreds upon hundreds upon hundreds of books and my library is filled with hundreds upon hundreds upon hundreds of books today. Books are a part of the fabric of my life.
How about you?
I was also a Trixie Belden fan! I loved those books, and I had most of them, but only a few have survived into my thirties. I wish someone had told me back then that I would have a daughter someday that I would want to share them with!
“Books are a part of the fabric of my life.”
Same here. The best thing was when I discovered the public library. Now I didn’t have to own all the books I read!
Since I grew up in Germany I read German books or books translated into German. Erich Kaestner wrote some great children’s books, I read them all. In my teens, I loved to read mystery novels, including those by Agatha Christie, Father Brown stories, etc.
Robin,
I can’t believe you listed two of “my” favorite books from my childhood: Hobby Horse Hill (I still have a copy) and Champion Dog Prince Tom!
Books were also a very big part of my life. I learned so much from them.
Great post!