Top Ten Tuesday used to be a weekly post hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, but was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl. “It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.” This is definitely something I can understand and want to participate in.
This week’s prompt is: Bookish Memories (Share stories of your reading life as a child, events you’ve gone to, books that made an impression on you, noteworthy experiences with books, authors you’ve met, etc. Reminisce with me!)
I was one of those kids that started reading ridiculously early. My mother tells me that I asked too many questions, so she just taught me how to read when I was around 3. I’m the youngest, and my much older siblings talk about coming into the kitchen and finding me, at 4 years old, sitting at the breakfast table, reading the New York Times, and being able to explain exactly what I was reading. I can only imagine how strange that must have looked, but it was just the start of my journey as a book lover. Over the course of my life, there have been so many books that made an impression on me, so I chose to talk about some of my early influences. Here’s some of the highlights of my bibliophile life:
- My Magic Telephone by Daphne Doward Hogstrom — this was the very first book that I can remember absolutely loving. I read it so many times that it literally fell apart, and it’s all about using your imagination. When I found it recently, I duct taped it back together, and passed it down to my great-niece, who loves to read.
- Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein — is there any kid that lived in the 80s and 90s that didn’t have a copy of this book? I’m definitely no exception. I read through this so many times, and it inspired me to write some poetry of my own, although I’m afraid that mine wasn’t very good.
- Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White — another childhood favorite of mine, looking back, it challenged me to think outside the box. This book humanizes animals, and helps to build empathy and understanding in children, at a time when those are such important attributes to develop.
- Ramona the Pest by Beverly Cleary — I loved this series! Ramona was a total hot mess, but the books were funny and I loved seeing what kind of mess she would get into next.
- Bunnicula by Deborah Howe — this was such a cute and funny story, with Halloween vibes that weren’t scary. I actually found my childhood copy in the basement, and now it has a place on my shelf with my other much-loved books.
- Black Beauty by Anna Sewell — I was certainly no exception to the horse-loving little girl trope, and this book was everything to me for so long! I still have a copy that is incredibly beat up from so many reads,
- Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh — I’m not ashamed to admit that after reading these books, I briefly carried a notebook everywhere to take notes on things. Although, unfortunately, I never did get anywhere in my short-lived goal as a spy.
- From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg — although I remember loving this book so much as a kid, I barely remember what it’s about now. I desperately wanted to run away to a museum though, and now I’m curious about how this book would hold up to a reread!
- Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret by Judy Blume — I loved this book as I got older, and I was able to see myself in the pages of the story. It talked about so many things that made sense to me, that I didn’t really feel comfortable discussing with my parents or maybe even friends, and this was when I realized that books weren’t just an escape but a way to identify and even learn.
- The Baby-Sitter’s Club books by Ann M. Martin — I guess these (and the Sweet Valley High books were basically some of the only YA offerings available when I was younger. I was thrilled when I came across these books, especially because they inspired me to start my own babysitting business, although I did it all on my own.
What were some of your favorite books as a kid?
Categories: Top Ten Tuesday
Leah's Books 
I loved Charlotte’s Web. It definitely made me thing about things. All of these are fabulous picks, and yes books were a way to learn about other things also.
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Thank you! Books played such a huge role in my childhood, and shaping who I became as an adult.
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Same here! I can’t imagine being who I am today without the influence of books!
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Books make powerful imprints on us. I see you were influenced by some of the best. Some bookish moments
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Thank you! I love the fact that I grew up with a lot of books, rather than watching a ton of television.
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I am exceptionally old, so most of my childhood was consumed by Paul Zindel. The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-In-The-Moon Marigolds, My Darling, My Hamberger, Pardon Me, You’re Stepping on my Eyeball…Getting a new release in the library felt like Christmas.
My post is here— https://fiftytwo.blog/2021/11/30/ttt-bookish-confessions/
Happy TTT!
Lori
https://fiftytwo.blog
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I’ve never heard of any of those, but they sound kind of intriguing! It’s so interesting to see how childhood books change through the years, and I love seeing the explosion in books geared towards younger readers these days.
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I reread Where the Sidewalk Ends so many times!
My post: https://lydiaschoch.com/top-ten-tuesday-bookish-memories/
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I’m pretty sure that most of us did! It was such a cool book.
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Great book choices! When my sister and I were young, my aunt bought us a copy of Where the Sidewalk Ends and A Light in the Attic. She wasn’t ever much of a reader, so I confiscated her book and have both still on my bookshelf. 🙂 You’re never too old for Shel Silverstein!
Here is our Top Ten Tuesday. Thank you!
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Yes! I had both, but I’m not sure where my copy of A Light in the Attic went. They’re iconic, though.
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I remember my 3rd grade teacher reading Where the Sidewalk Ends to the class. It what give my find love for poetry.
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Yes!! I’m not really a lover of poetry, but Shel Silverstein always has a place in my heart.
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I loved Ramona and BSC as a kid! Here is my post- https://paigesofbook.blogspot.com/2021/11/top-tne-tuesday-characters-i-want.html.
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They were such fun books to read!
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There’s something special about childhood memories, isn’t there? 😀 Happy reading! My TTT https://readwithstefani.com/ten-books-i-have-a-strong-emotional-attachment-to/
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There really is! I kind of wish I had kept a journal so I had more of these memories.
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A great list of books, with some memories for me. But my favorite books growing up were from the Trixie Belden series. Weirdly, I didn’t find Nancy Drew until I was in high school. I knew the books existed, but I didn’t read them until then.
Pam @ Read! Bake! Create!
https://readbakecreate.com/unusual-books-i-read-in-high-school/
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I’ve never heard of the Trixie Belden Series, but I did read a few Nancy Drew books!
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We must be around the same age (I’m 45) because a lot of these books were really influential for me as a young reader as well. Also, I love that your mom taught you how to read because you asked too many questions. That’s awesome!
Happy TTT!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
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We’re close – I’m 41! Haha, I did ask a lot of questions, and she eventually got tired of defining words I didn’t know, so she made me look up all the words in a dictionary. It’s a habit I’ve never broken, although reading on a Kindle makes this a lot easier.
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Great list! I have such fond memories of reading Charlotte’s Web as a child, too.
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I hope that all kids get the opportunity to read this book!
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I love that you were such an early reader! I read most of these and enjoyed them as a child! https://cindysbookcorner.blogspot.com/2021/11/top-ten-tuesday-bookish-memories.html
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It’s so great to grow up reading! I wouldn’t have had it any other way.
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