I remember the first book I ever read. It was called Spooky Sounds by Noodles. The moment that the words began to take form, and I could read them, it was off to the races! I always loved reading. I was that kid that relished silent reading time in class, that read at the dinner table, that had a little notebook full of quotes from my favorite titles. Being a product of the 90’s I loved Sideways Stories from Wayside School, Hatchet, and of course the Harry Potter series. I read The Goblet of Fire in one day. I was also a big fan of folklore, myths, fables, and fairy tales. The Thief of Always and The Stinky Cheese Man were often in my rotation. But (and this shouldn’t surprise anyone who knows me) my favorite reading material was the spooky stuff. Goosebumps? Couldn’t get enough. Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark? Was there anything better?! I liked being scared and afraid to turn the page. I suffered from night terrors as a child and these scary books somehow seemed to cure me. They quelled my subconscious fears at night. I grabbed up any title I could that promised that a cold chill would run up and down my spine.
And you know what they say, once you get a taste of blood you won’t stop until you’ve read every Stephen King book ever written. They don’t actually say that – but that’s how it went for me. During my middle and high school years I read a LOT of Stephen King, Kurt Vonnegut, and many tomes from the “Beat Generation” writers. To this day I will read anything strange, unusual, bizarre and thought provoking that comes my way. I gravitate towards horror, a good page-turning thriller, graphic novels, some gritty exposé nonfiction, and classical titles. I consider a book to be great if it can make me laugh and cry (bonus if it’s at the same time!).
Then:
The Thief of Always by Clive Barker
Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar
The Naked Bear: Folktales of the Iroquois edited by John Bierhorst
Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonix by J.K. Rowling
Scary Stories to Tell in The Dark by Alvin Schwartz
From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
Stinky Cheese Man and other Fairly Stupid Tales by Jon Scieszka
Now:
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey
My Best Friend’s Exorcism by Grady Hendrix
Seek You: A Journey Through American Loneliness by Kristen Radtke
War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells
Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief by Lawrence Wright
Inspiring to read Sarah’s love of books. and how enriching they are. For myself, I can’t imagine my life without them, They have given me so much.
There is nothing quite like a good book. Hope you try out one of Sarah’s recommendations.