When growing up did your family share your love of books? If so, did one person get you into reading? And, do you have any family-oriented memories with books and reading? (Family trips to bookstore, reading the same book as a sibling or parent, etc.
The family story is that I taught myself to read at age 3, by memorizing Dr. Seuss books. I don't remember this; as far back as I can remember, I could read. As a child, we always had books in the house. My dad did not read very much, but my mom always had a book going, as did my grandmother (who lived with us) and they would trade books back and forth. They both enjoyed mysteries, which have never been my favorites, but I did read some of the same books they read, such as the James Herriot books. My mother never believed in telling me what I could and couldn't read: she figured if it was too difficult for me it would be boring and I would give up on my own. When I was in about 2nd grade, the school librarian wouldn't let me check out "Black Beauty" because she thought it would be too difficult. I told my mom, who went down to the school and told the librarian that I was to be allowed to check out anything I wished. They never hassled me again. And I loved "Black Beauty."
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My parents did not tell me what or what not to read either. They trusted my judgement and that I would know my own abilities better than they would.
My grandmother did try to steer me in the direction of Christian fiction, which never really caught on, but I can thank her for introducing me to The Chronicles of Narnia!
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