Friday, September 24, 2010

Flashback Friday - Me? A Bibliophile?






Exactly what is a bibliophile? At first glance, I might think it refers to a person who studies the Bible extensively. Nope. According to Dictionary.com, a bibliophile is a person who "loves or collects books, esp. as examples of fine or unusual printing, binding, or the like." Yes. That can be said of me. I do love books and am thankful I can now read books on line and save bookshelf space. Actually, I think I'm more a reader. "A person who reads."

I'm joining Mocha with Linda this week and Follow Friday 40 and Over with JAVA at Never Growing Old.

Here's Linda's prompt: Did you like to read when you were a child? What were your favorite genres, books or series? Did you read books because of the author or because of the title/plot? Did you own many books? Did your school distribute the Scholastic book orders (or some other type)? Did you visit the library often? Was there a summer reading program when you were young, and did you participate? Do you have any particular memories of your school libraries? What were your favorites and least favorites among the classics (the ones high school English teachers assign!)? If you didn't like reading, do you like it more today than you did then?

My interest in reading changed dramatically when I was in grade school. Probably first or second grade. My teacher was a wonderful "out loud" reader. She brought stories to life. She brought characters to life. When she read to us during story time, she became the cast of characters. She was very animated in her body language and speech. In my mind's eye, I could "see" the farm, the pig, the goose, the spider. I could "feel" their excitement, their curiosity, their sadness. The book? Charlotte's Web by E. B. White.
Over the years, the genres of books I chose has changed. I used to be so hung up on science fiction. Then it was mysteries. For a short time, I read romance novels. Now? I enjoy a book that has adventure with a little mystery, and romance mixed in.

I still go to the library. I love going to the library. I am so blessed to have two library systems available to me. The public library system which today is so different than when I was growing up. Nowadays, I can get a book from any library in their affiliated system. I also have access to the university library system. Which is similar to the public library system only any university library in the state. Pretty stinkin cool if you ask me. Oh the resources available! lol.

My goal is to get the grand-boy more interested in reading. His generation has their nose stuck in video games via the X-Box or Wii, or PS3 or DS or they are in front of the TV watching some politically correct programming that has in-your-face "diverse" lifestyles. That's all I'm going to say about that!
Reading is knowledge. Knowledge is power.

What are some of your favorite books? Do you have a particular genre that you lean towards? Maybe you're not a reader. Please leave me a comment or join in at Mocha with Linda.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Romans 5:3-4 (NIV) 3Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Susan, I have memories of early grade school teacher reading to us in a circle. I could walk to our town's library and I enjoyed mysteries then and even until today - good, clean mysteries, that is! I also love to "read" cookbooks. I hope your grandson will develop an interest in reading also. Hope you have a wonderful weekend. Take care.

Jim said...

Hi Susan ~~ I sure am glad you 'reminded' me of what a bibliophile is. :) I collect books more than I read them. Goes for checking out of the libraries too.

Those early teachers influenced our reading habits quite a bit, didn't they?

Right now I'm some back into Charles Dickens. I have always liked his writings. I'm working on Drood but it is slow going with the one I have. Dickens died before he finished Drood so others try to finish it for him. My book has another novel weaved into it as the author/editor thinks it was or should have been written.
..

Down On The Farm said...

I love to read. I must admit some of my favorite books to read are Louis L'Amour Westerns! They are good clean reading, and Louis L'Amour had a gift for "transporting" the reader to the locations he wrote about. Wish I had more time to read . . . and I love books and libraries too :0! Have a blessed day!

bp said...

I enjoyed your post. How could I forget Charlotte's Web! I loved reading that to my class when I was teaching.

We have the same fall blog background too :)

Have a nice weekend!
Bethany

Skoots1moM said...

Harry Potter books inspired my girl to WANT to read more...and they all have very GOOD lessons in them. I've found more good than bad in them. My daughter now reads tons of books.

Ellen aka Ellie said...

Oooh, you might like my question of the week that I'll be posting on Monday. It's about a particular book. I hope you will remember to stop by...

Java said...

Hi Susan!!

Thanks for stopping by my blog and visiting the Follow Friday 40 and Over Blog Hop!

I am now following you. Please follow me if you haven't already done so!!

I would also like to invite you to join the Over 40 Bloggers Club!! Take a look and join in the fun!

Have a wonderful weekend!!
Java

Christmas-etc... said...

Yep! I am a "Book Friend" - Bibliophile comes from two Greek words that mean exactly that (This come from my living in Greece!). I used to have tons and tons of books but alas, I gave most of them away (not the old ones with special bindings mind!) last year to charities... I sometime wake up at night missing them... But, the internet does make it easy to find any book that I really miss. My favorite - The Bible of course, then books about religion, then history and oh, I mustn't forget Romance novels (especially since I spent the first part of my career writing them - now I'm occupied by books like the one which you find on my blog!). Basically, I love all informative and clean books. Even children's books - maybe children's books most of all! Thanks for asking!
Ann
PS I will check out Mocha with Linda

Mocha with Linda said...

I enjoyed this. I never cared for Charlotte's Web - I guess because I never liked animal books. But it is such a classic.

Thanks for participating!