To read a book for the first time is to make an acquaintance with a new friend; to read it for a second time is to meet an old one. ~Chinese Saying
When I was a young girl, reading was one of my favourite activities. I read everything from The Bobbsey Twins and Anne of Green Gables, to The Secret Garden and compilations of the Peanuts comic series.
That love of reading is still with me. It’s why I majored in English and am a die-hard fan of the library. (Seriously, all those books available to read! For free!)
In anticipation
DD already has a solid book collection. Many of them thanks to the generosity of family and friends. Some of those books she won’t read for years. They sit on her bookshelf in anticipation of her.
I hope to cultivate in DD that same love of reading I had as a child. For me, reading was – and still is – an escape, an adventure, a teacher and a friend. For these reasons, a book is one of the best gifts to give.
Sci-fi nostalgia
I don’t know if it’s the same for everyone, but the books from my childhood have stayed with me, even though many of them no longer sit on my bookshelf.
There is one book in particular that I would love to read again, and share with DD when she’s old enough.
The book is A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle. Really, it was my first sci-fi novel although I certainly didn’t know it back then. I read it in sixth grade I think; not sure.
As a young girl, I identified with Meg – the troubled young protagonist. I didn’t always fit in at school either and think I may have felt relief to be reading a book about a girl who wasn’t perfect.
That kind of escape
A Wrinkle in Time is one of those books that immerses you into the story. As Meg crosses the universe in search of her father – with her super-genius youngest brother, Charles Wallace, and her friend, Calvin, from school in tow – I felt like I was there too. In the moment of everything happening.
Sometimes that kind of escape into the pages of a book is exactly what you need. Child or grownup; whichever we may be.
Did you read any sci-fi novels as a child? Do you read science fiction now?
—
This entry is part of Monday Moments, a weekly series started by Brie at Capital Mom, where participants are invited to share life’s moments. This week’s topic: reading.
16 Responses to “An escape, an adventure”
ayala
I loved reading as a child. I read anything that I could get my hands on. Both my boys love to read because I read to them every day from the day they were born. I am not kidding. Everyone looked at me like I was crazy but I didn’t care. This is the perfect time. If you read everyday then you can’t go wrong DD will love her books:)
melgallant
Ayala – I’m like you. I read to DD everyday from a very early age. Even when she didn’t yet understand that we were reading – it would help calm her when she was fussy and has always been a wonderful bonding experience. Yay reading! 🙂
Chantal
I started reading sci-fi as a young adult. I have stepped away from it since having kids. I have never read this book. Will have to look into it.
melgallant
It’s a great book, Chantal. I recommend it. 😉
Brie
I feel like I have read that book, but I just can’t remember the story. That could be because I read a lot as a kid. Maybe it means I need to read it again!
I have a bunch of books I want to read with the kids as they get older. And a few that I will feel sad about if they don’t like!
Thanks for joining us this week!
melgallant
Hi Brie,
I really need to read the book again too because the plot is a still a little fuzzy. (I did read it up a bit on Wikipedia though). It’s a wonderful story.
Thanks for organizing these blog post theme!
Lara
Oooh I should see if I can get this from the library… as an ebook 😉
I read sci-fi, I think my favourite is Ender’s Game. It’s actually one of my favourite genres 🙂
Great post!
melgallant
I’ll have to check Ender’s Game out!
Sasha
I loved Wrinkle In Time! It was actually one that my grade 5/6 teacher read to us, so I remember it in her voice. There’s a sequel, too, although the title escapes me at the moment.
Thanks, this brings back memories!
melgallant
I think it must have been the same time frame for me too (grade 5/6) because we read it in class as well.
Thanks for stopping by, Sasha! 🙂
Sara
We started reading to DS1 when he was a few weeks old. It shocked me when people would ask why we bothered since he didn’t understand!
I read to the boys throughout the day, more on cold rainy days than others, and every day before nap and bed time. I’m so glad they have embraced my love of books 🙂
melgallant
We read to DD from a very young age as well. It was lovely bonding time and I think a great way to fuel a love of reading.
Karen
I’ve never read A Wrinkle in Time even though about a thousand of my friends did and talked about how good it was. I never realized it was sci-fi. But I’ll have to add it to my list of must-reads.
I completely agree that a book is a gift that can’t go wrong. I tend to only ever buy books for the kids in my life. They get enough toys from everyone, but you can never have too many books.
melgallant
Nope, you can never have too many books. As a child, I loved getting books as gifts. I still do!
Lynn
I’m not into sci-fi now, but I loved it as a kid. I was a huge fan of Alexander Key in particular – he wrote Escape To Witch Mountain, The Guardian of Isis, and many other fantastic titles. I can’t wait to get around to them!
In the meantime, I’ve been reading a lot of Roald Dahl to my 8-year-old and they are pretty wacky, but very suitable to the age. I recommend!
melgallant
Hi Lynn,
I’ll have to check out Roald Dahl based on your recommendation. I loved Escape to Witch Mountain! We used to re-enact it on the schoolyard at recess, etc. 🙂