When I recall memories from childhood, there are quite a few that are book related.  I loved both the school and our local community library. Taking a book into a nook or a small place was one of my favorite things to do.

My favorites?  Peter Pan, Curious George, Pipi Longstocking, Andy Pandy, The Wizard of Oz, Dr. Seuss, Big Golden Books, and countless Fairy Tale compilations.  Every Christmas, my Mother would check out from the Library for me  Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree by Robert Barry.  As a special gift, she gave me a copy for Christmas about 15 years ago and I treasure it. Add Archie Comics, Owl and Highlights magazines and my childhood was complete.

During High School and College, I did not read for leisure.  I read the books that teachers told me to.  Among them, Animal Farm, 1984, Death of a Salesman, The Crucible, The Great Gatsby, Othello, Jonathan Livingston Seagull, and Lord of the Flies. Young Adult Literature wasn’t big in the 80′s like it is now.

In my early 20′s I went through the mandatory Danielle Steele phase that thankfully ceased after 5 books.  How can she keep writing the same story over and over?  My late 20′s I got into reading the books of films that I’d seen.

I’ve cried many a time while reading but the only book  I felt actual fear turning the pages was Thomas Harris’  Hannibal.  I read this after seeing the film The Silence of the Lambs, but before the film of Hannibal was made.

I don’t have a favorite genre or author and  I admit that I have selected books based on the cover art.

As far as series go:

Lord of the Rings – J. R. R. Tolkien.  I tried (pre-Peter Jackson films) and just couldn’t get into it.  The characters’ multiple names killed me.

Harry Potter – J. K. Rowling.  Love this series. If I had kids, I’d read it to them. I would like to reread the series.

Twilight – Stephanie Meyers.  Yes, I read all four books.  Liked it for what it was. Hindsight, ugh!

Hunger Games – Suzanne Collins. Love this series. Have read each book twice. Also I have really enjoyed the films.

All Souls Trilogy – Deborah Harkness.  The third book has just been completed and is scheduled for release July 15, 2014. I preferred the first book to the second. I am hoping the final book satisfies.

I have enjoyed reading more the past 2 years or so than I have my entire adult life.   I am not a book snob.  I don’t limit myself to reading adult literature or classics.  Young adult literature in enjoyable and just the thing to read during my 3 hour daily commute.  Not too heavy, not too serious.

I live a 5 minute walk away from the Library. I pass it almost daily and for 5 years never thought twice about it.  As much as I love to buy new books I decided that a: I can no longer afford the luxury.  b: I am trying to simplify life and decrease the volume of possessions. c: Libraries are awesome.

These are the books I’ve read since December 2013:

Bossy Pants - Tina Fey

The Tapping Solution – Nick Ortner

The Ocean At The End of The Lane – Neil Gaiman

The Alchemist – Paul Coelho

Stardust – Neil Gaiman

The Fault In Our Stars – John Green I finished this book on Thursday. I am sad it ended. This was a wonderful, emotional read. It touched my heart. It has been made into a film with a release date in June.  I will see it.

The books I currently have out from the library:

Crazy Town The Rob Ford Story – Robin Doolittle.  I am starting this book today. I must note that I DO NOT support Rob Ford, I did not vote for him, nor will I vote for him in Oct 2014.

Annabel – Kathleen Winter.  I selected this book from the CBC Canada Reads 2014 contenders.  Although the official selection will only be made March 3-6’14, it is the only contender that I have interest in reading.

The Art of Racing in the Rain – Garth Stein.  I am still not sure if I will read this book.  This is a book that a colleague is reading and it sounded interesting. It’ll all depend on how I get through Annabel.