Book Club

[Alsace Gal]

[phoenixbrd]

Thanks for this accurate share...books are magic.  I research and my library is extensive..my books have altered and influenced my life.

[Alsace Gal]

@phoenixbrd 

I come from a family with no curiosity.

My dear sister and I at a very early age (7) started reading newspapers and didn't understand most of what we read. 
First came questions, if you're curious, it always starts with a question.
We moved on to books and our world opened up. 

[BirkiLady]

My mom was an editor for the newspaper, as well as a book-editor (one of several), and had her own daily column. English/grammar, literature, and current events were major discussions in our home. Manners were important and friends were always welcome to share a meal and great conversation with our family. Most kids returned time and again to gain additional knowledge which my sister and I took for granted. We were so fortunate to have loving, gracious, kind, helpful parents.

Our home was filled with built-in bookshelves in most rooms and we began reading as very small children. My love of books kept me far ahead of classmates throughout school, yet encouraged me to share our books with most of them who were interested in reading! Most of us also spent a great deal of time checking out library books from the nearby neighborhood library. We loved sharing book reports and reading books together as pre-teens. Later, sharing titles has been a favorite throughout the decades. 

[Bookplate]

Nice quote - here's a few more:

"It wasn't until I started reading and found books they wouldn't let us read in school that I discovered you could be insane and happy and have a good life without being like everybody else." – John Waters

"Books are mirrors: You only see in them what you already have inside you." – Carlos Ruiz Zafón, The Shadow of the Wind

"Think before you speak. Read before you think." – Fran Lebowitz

[phoenixbrd]

How wonderful that you nourished your childhood curiosity.  Considering your life a living question mark is a lovely gift.  I am so grateful that I was showered with books as a child. They were always my presents or rewards.  My mother encouraged reading and she was probably the most literate person I have ever known, although she wouldn't have said that about herself.  You and your sister got to share your learning and love of books...that's such a special bond.

[phoenixbrd]

@BirkiLady   I think you are writing my bio!  Our mothers were similar in their professional work and your home life shares my experiences.   

[QVCkitty1]

Reading opens up your mind and your world. It gives you insights into the lives of those who are different from you, and also show how similar we all are. Growing up my reading material wasn't censored and the library was my happy place. 

[mildoo]

When I was a little girl I couldn't read.  When I entered the third grade (some 66 years ago) I had a teacher who gave me her undivided attention.  At the start of the school year I was a robin (the poorest reading group) then became a bluejay (medium) and ended up a cardinal (the best readers).  Her name was Mildred Mitchell and she changed my life.  She told me that when I am alone reading, I should try reading aloud and do you know at my age I still do that.  Every morning, early morning I read and I read aloud......have done that all my life.  It is calming, keeps me focused on my book and I think helps my retention.

If she had not been my teacher, I don't know if anyone else would have done that for me and sometimes I wonder what kind of life I would have led.

[Lilysmom1]

I was fortunate to grow up in a home with many many books.  I always belonged to the library.  To this day, I always have a book on the go.  I was one of the first to buy an Ereader...100's of books at your fingertips.  A good book is like a gift to me.

The book club thread here is one of my favorites.