A first novel.
May 11, 2005 1:32 PM Subscribe
What was the first book you read and really loved? Do you still think about it?
Superfudge does not count.
Superfudge does not count.
Hahaha, I read tons of Judly Blume books. :P
In high school, a friend loaned me Afton of Margate Castle by Angela Elwell Hunt. I took it out from the library a few times after that, and I occasionally look for a good price for it on eBay.
posted by IndigoRain at 1:46 PM on May 11, 2005
In high school, a friend loaned me Afton of Margate Castle by Angela Elwell Hunt. I took it out from the library a few times after that, and I occasionally look for a good price for it on eBay.
posted by IndigoRain at 1:46 PM on May 11, 2005
Red Sky at Morning.
And I do still think about it, especially when I see a bottle of Gilbey's Gin.
posted by krix at 1:47 PM on May 11, 2005
And I do still think about it, especially when I see a bottle of Gilbey's Gin.
posted by krix at 1:47 PM on May 11, 2005
Judy. (darn habit of hitting Post too quickly)
posted by IndigoRain at 1:47 PM on May 11, 2005
posted by IndigoRain at 1:47 PM on May 11, 2005
Probably Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery, or The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley, both of which I still read on a regular basis.
posted by carmen at 1:48 PM on May 11, 2005
posted by carmen at 1:48 PM on May 11, 2005
A Child's History of the World, written by V.M. Hillyer and read one summer day when I was six. It's essentially a brief summary of the history of Western Civilization (written in 1932 with all the factual errors that go along with that) and I can credit it for my interest in history, travel, and the arts. I still have it, and actually picked it up to re-read it a few weeks ago...
posted by annathea at 1:55 PM on May 11, 2005
posted by annathea at 1:55 PM on May 11, 2005
Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls.
posted by monsterhero at 1:56 PM on May 11, 2005
posted by monsterhero at 1:56 PM on May 11, 2005
My personal favorite was (and still is) Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six.
posted by C17H19NO3 at 1:57 PM on May 11, 2005
posted by C17H19NO3 at 1:57 PM on May 11, 2005
Early grade school: On the Banks of Plum Creek.
Early junior high: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.
High school: Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man.
posted by scody at 1:57 PM on May 11, 2005
Early junior high: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.
High school: Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man.
posted by scody at 1:57 PM on May 11, 2005
The Westing Game, Pinballs, A Wrinkle in Time.
For some reason I can't find anyone else who has read the Westing Game. Maybe time has altered the title I remember.
posted by Alison at 1:57 PM on May 11, 2005
For some reason I can't find anyone else who has read the Westing Game. Maybe time has altered the title I remember.
posted by Alison at 1:57 PM on May 11, 2005
The first book I absolutely couldn't put down was Watership Down. I was about 11.
I also loved Caddie Woodlawn and Peter Pan, but reading them wasn't as compulsive.
posted by small_ruminant at 2:00 PM on May 11, 2005
I also loved Caddie Woodlawn and Peter Pan, but reading them wasn't as compulsive.
posted by small_ruminant at 2:00 PM on May 11, 2005
I somehow stumbled on Planet of the Apes by Pierre Boulle, and Jaws by Peter Benchley, both in elementary school. I'd devoured quite a bit of children's literature without leaving an impression. But both of these books fascinated me, and I studied them, gleaning much understanding of adult life by reading between the lines. I still think of them often, although only Pierre Boulle has a spot on my bookshelf.
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH would be my recommendation for a good children's book.
posted by Manjusri at 2:06 PM on May 11, 2005
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH would be my recommendation for a good children's book.
posted by Manjusri at 2:06 PM on May 11, 2005
I loved the Westing Game! A teacher read it aloud to us in grammar school.
For me, the first books I loved were Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and James and the Giant Peach, which I read very early on-- 1st or 2nd grade. I still love both of them.
As I went through grammar school, I loved Stranger in a Strange Land, Wrinkle in Time, the Narnia chronicles.
posted by picklebird at 2:07 PM on May 11, 2005
For me, the first books I loved were Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and James and the Giant Peach, which I read very early on-- 1st or 2nd grade. I still love both of them.
As I went through grammar school, I loved Stranger in a Strange Land, Wrinkle in Time, the Narnia chronicles.
posted by picklebird at 2:07 PM on May 11, 2005
I'll second Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH- another early compulsive read.
posted by small_ruminant at 2:08 PM on May 11, 2005
posted by small_ruminant at 2:08 PM on May 11, 2005
My folks bought a set of books that included King Arthur, Tom Sawyer, Prince and the Pauper and about 20 or 30 volumes. During 1st grade I devoured King Arthur. It all started from because of a babysitter. I was 'learning' to read in grade one and was a bit cocky. I told her I could read any word and she picked one of those books and picked a suitably difficult word. I didn't stumble over it and decided to start reading King Arthur. I had to ask my parents the meaning of some words (not having been raised in a castle or ancient military setting) but I made it through.
posted by substrate at 2:11 PM on May 11, 2005
posted by substrate at 2:11 PM on May 11, 2005
I'll second the Great Brain books. I loved those as a kid and read them over and over again.
posted by gfrobe at 2:15 PM on May 11, 2005
posted by gfrobe at 2:15 PM on May 11, 2005
When I was in grade 3 (Canada rules!), my teacher started reading us the Hobbit. He would read a few pages everyday. I was really into it. Then I noticed that we had a copy of the Hobbit sitting on our bookshelf at home. I realized that I didn't have to wait for the teacher. So, I dove in and never looked back. Each night I would lie underneath the bottom bunk of my bunk bed and read by the shining light of my Lite-Brite. From there, I read lots of fantasy, but also lots of other stuff.
I am convinced that the only reason some people don't love to read is because they never connected with that one special book as a kid. That is why I think kids need to be exposed to a bunch of different books, so they can find that one that excites them and propels a desire to read.
I am also convinced that there are not many people who are truly smart and interesting that also don't like to read.
posted by bove at 2:16 PM on May 11, 2005
I am convinced that the only reason some people don't love to read is because they never connected with that one special book as a kid. That is why I think kids need to be exposed to a bunch of different books, so they can find that one that excites them and propels a desire to read.
I am also convinced that there are not many people who are truly smart and interesting that also don't like to read.
posted by bove at 2:16 PM on May 11, 2005
Where the Red Fern Grows.
posted by greasy_skillet at 2:17 PM on May 11, 2005
posted by greasy_skillet at 2:17 PM on May 11, 2005
The Westing Game
I loved The Westing Game, too!
But the earliest book I can remember really getting into was A Wrinkle in Time. Of course, now that I think about it, it's possible that I read The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe first; the order is lost in the mists of memory.
posted by mr_roboto at 2:18 PM on May 11, 2005
I loved The Westing Game, too!
But the earliest book I can remember really getting into was A Wrinkle in Time. Of course, now that I think about it, it's possible that I read The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe first; the order is lost in the mists of memory.
posted by mr_roboto at 2:18 PM on May 11, 2005
"What Katy Did" by Susan M Coolidge, which I read when I was around 9 years old, left a big impression on me.
I lost myself in books as a child, to escape, albeit temporarily, the misery of my childhood. I rarely go anywhere without a book, and I always come home from a shopping trip without at least one new read.
My sister, on the other hand, hasn't read a book since she left school. The only things to read in her house are the Yellow Pages and the Argos catalogue. Go figure ...
posted by essexjan at 2:19 PM on May 11, 2005
I lost myself in books as a child, to escape, albeit temporarily, the misery of my childhood. I rarely go anywhere without a book, and I always come home from a shopping trip without at least one new read.
My sister, on the other hand, hasn't read a book since she left school. The only things to read in her house are the Yellow Pages and the Argos catalogue. Go figure ...
posted by essexjan at 2:19 PM on May 11, 2005
The Legend of Huma from the Dragonlance series. I never read much before that, but that book single-handidly caused me to delve into reading voraciously in grade school and high school while trying to trick my parents into thinking I wasn't staying up past my bedtime reading.
posted by jmd82 at 2:30 PM on May 11, 2005
posted by jmd82 at 2:30 PM on May 11, 2005
Ozma of Oz. And all of the other Frank Baum Oz books (further Oz books were written by other hands after Baum's death, the publishers knew a franchise when they saw one.) The series started me out on reading, but also put me permanently out of sync with folks who got their Oz from the movie and think Dorothy is a brown-haired teenager. (Dorothy is actually about ten years old and cornsilk blond.)
posted by jfuller at 2:31 PM on May 11, 2005
posted by jfuller at 2:31 PM on May 11, 2005
I first read The Cat In The Hat and Green Eggs And Ham when I was 4 years old, and I still read both once or twice each year. My elementary school library had a collection of adventure stories (1964) written by an author I have long ago forgotten. The best one of these had Piranha in the title and my friend and I both loved it. He would check it out for 2 weeks and then I checked it out. That library also got a collection of the first five Oz books when I was in 3rd grade. I had them checked out almost constantly through 6th grade. The city library had a set of Alfred Hitchcock mysteries written for kids that was also quite captivating.
Sometime around 1970, I discovered Planet of the Apes by Pierre Boulle and Thunderball by Ian Fleming, although I can't remember which I read first. Fuzz by Ed McBain was back there as well, as was the novelization of Enter The Dragon. I remember my 7th grade English teacher freaking because I was reading Portnoy's Complaint.
Oh, I almost forgot the first book that ever scared the hell out of me: Stranger Than Science, a collection of transcriptions of an old radio program that described "true" supernatural events. It was my father's book and he let me read it. It scared me so bad, I hid it in the back of the cupboard in the utility room for years.
posted by mischief at 2:32 PM on May 11, 2005
Sometime around 1970, I discovered Planet of the Apes by Pierre Boulle and Thunderball by Ian Fleming, although I can't remember which I read first. Fuzz by Ed McBain was back there as well, as was the novelization of Enter The Dragon. I remember my 7th grade English teacher freaking because I was reading Portnoy's Complaint.
Oh, I almost forgot the first book that ever scared the hell out of me: Stranger Than Science, a collection of transcriptions of an old radio program that described "true" supernatural events. It was my father's book and he let me read it. It scared me so bad, I hid it in the back of the cupboard in the utility room for years.
posted by mischief at 2:32 PM on May 11, 2005
When I was young I was all over the Encyclopedia Brown series.
The first "real" book I read was 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea. I read it something like four or five times before I got to high school and was victimized by school mandated reading lists.
I also remember some series of books I read while younger - they featured an alligator in a swamp. Does anyone else know the title/author of these?
posted by Dallasfilm at 2:36 PM on May 11, 2005
The first "real" book I read was 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea. I read it something like four or five times before I got to high school and was victimized by school mandated reading lists.
I also remember some series of books I read while younger - they featured an alligator in a swamp. Does anyone else know the title/author of these?
posted by Dallasfilm at 2:36 PM on May 11, 2005
I read the Elizabeth Enright Books over and over again as a kid: The Saturdays, The Four-Story Mistake, And Then There Were Five and Spiderweb for Two. It had a great set of characters. Enright's other book, Gone-Away Lake, was pretty good, but didn't have the depth or texture of the Melendy Quartet.
posted by ambrosia at 2:39 PM on May 11, 2005
posted by ambrosia at 2:39 PM on May 11, 2005
Louisa May Alcott's Little Women, which I got for Hanukkah when I was six years old. I read the book so often that it fell to pieces.
posted by thomas j wise at 2:40 PM on May 11, 2005
posted by thomas j wise at 2:40 PM on May 11, 2005
Count me in on The Westing Game too. I also loved From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler at around the same age. Oh, and Rumer Godden's The Diddakoi (which is now called Gypsy Girl).
However, the first book I read and loved was something from Susan Cooper's Dark is Rising series. (I'm not sure which one I read first.) I still think about the series quite often, as it is the basis for most of my understanding of British mythology. Better than Harry Potter, for my money.
Now that I think about it, I'm pretty sure I read all these books in sixth grade, which would have made me 10 or 11 at the time. Is that common? How old were you when you first read a book that made a significant impression?
posted by Jaie at 2:43 PM on May 11, 2005
However, the first book I read and loved was something from Susan Cooper's Dark is Rising series. (I'm not sure which one I read first.) I still think about the series quite often, as it is the basis for most of my understanding of British mythology. Better than Harry Potter, for my money.
Now that I think about it, I'm pretty sure I read all these books in sixth grade, which would have made me 10 or 11 at the time. Is that common? How old were you when you first read a book that made a significant impression?
posted by Jaie at 2:43 PM on May 11, 2005
Hero and the Crown for me. Also the Oz books. And Susan Cooper's Dark is Rising books.
I still reread Hero and the Crown and the Dark is Rising books every few years.
(I also read the Westing Game)
posted by gnat at 2:43 PM on May 11, 2005
I still reread Hero and the Crown and the Dark is Rising books every few years.
(I also read the Westing Game)
posted by gnat at 2:43 PM on May 11, 2005
Already mentioned:
A Wrinkle in Time
On the Banks of Plum Creek
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH
And:
Liza Lou and the Yellerbelly Swamp
To Kill A Mockingbird
Cold Sassy Tree
Charoltte's Web
Black Beauty
I think about all of these at the wise old age of 31 and actually own most of them. Looks like I'm going to have to check out The Westing Game.
posted by Specklet at 2:46 PM on May 11, 2005
A Wrinkle in Time
On the Banks of Plum Creek
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH
And:
Liza Lou and the Yellerbelly Swamp
To Kill A Mockingbird
Cold Sassy Tree
Charoltte's Web
Black Beauty
I think about all of these at the wise old age of 31 and actually own most of them. Looks like I'm going to have to check out The Westing Game.
posted by Specklet at 2:46 PM on May 11, 2005
Curious George Rides a Bike. I think about it all the time, when I'm riding my bike or reading Ask MetaFilter and using my Curious George mouse pad.
posted by fixedgear at 2:57 PM on May 11, 2005
posted by fixedgear at 2:57 PM on May 11, 2005
This thread brings back SO many books I thought I had forgotten about: The Westing Game (one of very few I've re-read several times), Encyclopedia Brown, Rats of NIMH...
There are different levels of books that affected me - the children's books I remember like the one that I think was called Viola Swamp (about a substitute teacher). And then the mid-level ones like those by Judy Blume, or the Nancy Drew novels (I would read them and then my mom would read them right after me - I think that really solidified my reading habit), or The Trumpeter Swan, or My Summer Pony.
And then the larger novels, like those by Laura Ingalls Wilder and L.M. Montgomery (she wrote the Rebecca novels, too, right? I think there were three of them...Rebecca of something Farm...), and yes, Watership Down (another that I just love to re-read).
But my one pick would be Little House on the Prarie. What fun I had reading that in second grade.
posted by bibbit at 3:00 PM on May 11, 2005
There are different levels of books that affected me - the children's books I remember like the one that I think was called Viola Swamp (about a substitute teacher). And then the mid-level ones like those by Judy Blume, or the Nancy Drew novels (I would read them and then my mom would read them right after me - I think that really solidified my reading habit), or The Trumpeter Swan, or My Summer Pony.
And then the larger novels, like those by Laura Ingalls Wilder and L.M. Montgomery (she wrote the Rebecca novels, too, right? I think there were three of them...Rebecca of something Farm...), and yes, Watership Down (another that I just love to re-read).
But my one pick would be Little House on the Prarie. What fun I had reading that in second grade.
posted by bibbit at 3:00 PM on May 11, 2005
Like bove, it was Tolkien for me. I finished off the Hobbit [which my dad, who'd been working out of town a lot at the time, had been reading me on weekends] on my own, and launched straight into Lord of the Rings, somewhere around kindergarten or the summer after. I still love it, and read it at least once a year. I've encountered dozens [hundreds?] of books I've loved since then, but that trilogy was the story that the first that reached out and grabbed my attention and just wouldn't let go.
posted by ubersturm at 3:05 PM on May 11, 2005
posted by ubersturm at 3:05 PM on May 11, 2005
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodges Burnett.
I think about it all the time .It's such a beautiful metaphor for how human relations change depending on how you feel about yourself.
In fact, I think it's the reason I picked the place I'm living now. (elaborate brick work, hidden garden yard)
posted by Gucky at 3:09 PM on May 11, 2005
I think about it all the time .It's such a beautiful metaphor for how human relations change depending on how you feel about yourself.
In fact, I think it's the reason I picked the place I'm living now. (elaborate brick work, hidden garden yard)
posted by Gucky at 3:09 PM on May 11, 2005
I loved The Westing Game (sad thing that I don't have my copy anymore), Sideways Stories from Wayside School, and the series of Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark.
posted by itchie at 3:10 PM on May 11, 2005
posted by itchie at 3:10 PM on May 11, 2005
Little Lord Fauntleroy
The Secret Garden
The Chronicles of Narnia
Ramona the Pest
posted by ramix at 3:15 PM on May 11, 2005
The Secret Garden
The Chronicles of Narnia
Ramona the Pest
posted by ramix at 3:15 PM on May 11, 2005
I had to ask my parents the meaning of some words
I was reading a Man From UNCLE novelization when I stumbled upon a new word. Without thinking, I looked up and asked my mom, "What's a slut?"
posted by mischief at 3:16 PM on May 11, 2005
I was reading a Man From UNCLE novelization when I stumbled upon a new word. Without thinking, I looked up and asked my mom, "What's a slut?"
posted by mischief at 3:16 PM on May 11, 2005
Books where finishing them made me very sad that I wouldn't be able to spend more time with the characters:
The Cricket in Times Square & Tucker's Countryside
A Wrinkle in Time and sequels
Lad a Dog (sappy!)
posted by schoolgirl report at 3:23 PM on May 11, 2005
The Cricket in Times Square & Tucker's Countryside
A Wrinkle in Time and sequels
Lad a Dog (sappy!)
posted by schoolgirl report at 3:23 PM on May 11, 2005
Bridge to Terabithia was one of the first that I read and loved. I still have my original copy of it. This is the one book I think every kid should read.
The Chronicles of Narnia I also loved.
I too read The Westing Game and recently picked it up again.
Finally, Roald Dahl's books were/are favorites.
posted by unsweet at 3:30 PM on May 11, 2005
The Chronicles of Narnia I also loved.
I too read The Westing Game and recently picked it up again.
Finally, Roald Dahl's books were/are favorites.
posted by unsweet at 3:30 PM on May 11, 2005
Uberstrum...you tackled Lord of the Rings in kindergarten? wow.
For me, the first book that really made an impression was Dominic by William Steig. That was the first book that made me forget about my world until the final page. I reread it until it fell apart, and wrapped it up in rubber bands.
(Unfortunately, I reread it as an adult, and I hated it.)
posted by luneray at 3:48 PM on May 11, 2005
For me, the first book that really made an impression was Dominic by William Steig. That was the first book that made me forget about my world until the final page. I reread it until it fell apart, and wrapped it up in rubber bands.
(Unfortunately, I reread it as an adult, and I hated it.)
posted by luneray at 3:48 PM on May 11, 2005
As a young kid, I was an advanced reader, but not an avid one. Picked up restaurant at the End of the Universe at a book fair in 5th grade (because it sounded like Space Quest - a game I was playing at the time). Singlehandedly got me into reading nonfiction for pleasure.
posted by absalom at 3:49 PM on May 11, 2005
posted by absalom at 3:49 PM on May 11, 2005
Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White is one of the first books I can remember reading and being really moved by.
Also loved A Cricket in Time Square
The very first book I can actually remember reading (as in reading by myself with no adult help) was some picture book abridgement of A Conneticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, where there was a crude line-art drawing on the right hand page and a very simplified version of the story on the left. It was part of a whole series of chunky little books, all of which I believe were "classics" adapted for early readers.
posted by Chrischris at 3:51 PM on May 11, 2005
Also loved A Cricket in Time Square
The very first book I can actually remember reading (as in reading by myself with no adult help) was some picture book abridgement of A Conneticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, where there was a crude line-art drawing on the right hand page and a very simplified version of the story on the left. It was part of a whole series of chunky little books, all of which I believe were "classics" adapted for early readers.
posted by Chrischris at 3:51 PM on May 11, 2005
Black Beauty and National Velvet were two that I read constantly until I managed to convince my mother to allow me to read Stephen King stuff.
posted by chickygrrl at 3:51 PM on May 11, 2005
posted by chickygrrl at 3:51 PM on May 11, 2005
The first books I remember reading were the Tom Swift series. Tolkien was who really got me hooked.
posted by Carbolic at 4:19 PM on May 11, 2005
posted by Carbolic at 4:19 PM on May 11, 2005
I can't believe I'm the first to put this down so far in the thread, but Ender's Game, by Orson Scott Card. Definitely the classic precocious boy saves the world story an arrogant little prick like me just devoured.
Nothing against the story :-), OSC is one of my favorite authors.
posted by onalark at 4:24 PM on May 11, 2005
Nothing against the story :-), OSC is one of my favorite authors.
posted by onalark at 4:24 PM on May 11, 2005
There are four that really stick with me:
Tuck Everlasting
Where the Red Fern Grows
On the Banks of Plum Creek
Cat in the Mirror
posted by deborah at 4:41 PM on May 11, 2005
Tuck Everlasting
Where the Red Fern Grows
On the Banks of Plum Creek
Cat in the Mirror
posted by deborah at 4:41 PM on May 11, 2005
The Neverending Story, in the original red and green text. Must have read that 3 times. And of course, the Great Brain, and Dahl. Anything by Dahl.
posted by eurasian at 4:42 PM on May 11, 2005
posted by eurasian at 4:42 PM on May 11, 2005
I liked Ender's Game, but I read it too late in life to qualify for this question.
posted by mischief at 5:09 PM on May 11, 2005
posted by mischief at 5:09 PM on May 11, 2005
as a fifth grade teacher, i find this list fascinating; many of the books mentioned above are still part of my annual reading curriculum. i read the Chronicles and several of Dahl's books aloud to my students each year.
for me: A Horse and His Boy, Watership Down, and Stranger in a Strange Land are three books that were very formative for me.
i have a hunch that most of the people that have responded to this question have missed out on more contemporary books written by Gary Paulsen and Jerry Spinelli and Louis Sachar. but given my current students' reaction to them, i suspect in ten years this list will include those authors as well.
posted by RockyChrysler at 5:12 PM on May 11, 2005
for me: A Horse and His Boy, Watership Down, and Stranger in a Strange Land are three books that were very formative for me.
i have a hunch that most of the people that have responded to this question have missed out on more contemporary books written by Gary Paulsen and Jerry Spinelli and Louis Sachar. but given my current students' reaction to them, i suspect in ten years this list will include those authors as well.
posted by RockyChrysler at 5:12 PM on May 11, 2005
A Wrinkle in Time, Where the Red Fern Grows, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
posted by bshort at 5:18 PM on May 11, 2005
posted by bshort at 5:18 PM on May 11, 2005
"The Seven Citadels" series by Geraldine Harris was the first fantasy series I read, and, along with the Narnia books and the Dark is Rising series by Susan Cooper got me hooked on fantasy for life.
And the very first fiction book I read was Alice in Wonderland (at age 8). I only read kids encyclopedias before that. I was a very weird kid.
posted by gaspode at 5:22 PM on May 11, 2005
And the very first fiction book I read was Alice in Wonderland (at age 8). I only read kids encyclopedias before that. I was a very weird kid.
posted by gaspode at 5:22 PM on May 11, 2005
I've gotta go for Watership Down too - I read it at eleven, and I've read it on average about once every three years since.
posted by Jimbob at 6:01 PM on May 11, 2005
posted by Jimbob at 6:01 PM on May 11, 2005
probably From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler or Charlotte's Web were the first i really really loved. Watership Down too but i read that later.
posted by amberglow at 6:05 PM on May 11, 2005
posted by amberglow at 6:05 PM on May 11, 2005
Harriet the Spy was the first book that I remember literally not being able to put down.
posted by PinkStainlessTail at 6:27 PM on May 11, 2005
posted by PinkStainlessTail at 6:27 PM on May 11, 2005
The Jungle Book.
My grade school library had an old hardbound copy with a green cover. It also had a few short stories in the back, including Riki Tiki Tavi. I read the whole thing about 7 times, and even found old bookmarks that I'd left in it from the time before. If they ever shut down, I'd go back just to buy that copy.
posted by MrZero at 6:52 PM on May 11, 2005
My grade school library had an old hardbound copy with a green cover. It also had a few short stories in the back, including Riki Tiki Tavi. I read the whole thing about 7 times, and even found old bookmarks that I'd left in it from the time before. If they ever shut down, I'd go back just to buy that copy.
posted by MrZero at 6:52 PM on May 11, 2005
The first books I loved, I loved for what they were about, not for how they were written or their characters that spoke to me or their own special bookness or anything. Comprehensiveness was a plus, though. I still have one of them. It's called The Wild Cats and it's a... colorfully photographed book about all kinds of wild cats. The other books I loved at this time - a (apparently completely, totally out of print without an internet trace) book called The White Lions of Timbivati, Born Free, etc, etc. shared the subject matter and that is why I loved them when I was five and six years old.
posted by furiousthought at 7:13 PM on May 11, 2005
posted by furiousthought at 7:13 PM on May 11, 2005
When I was 12 or 13 I read "Papillon" by Henri Charriere and also right around this time I read Thor Heyerdahls "The Ra Expeditions". I had read a bit before this but these two books were my first truly exciting reading experiences. I loved those books! I think I'll read them again.
posted by The_Auditor at 7:34 PM on May 11, 2005
posted by The_Auditor at 7:34 PM on May 11, 2005
I've gotta go for Watership Down too - I read it at eleven, and I've read it on average about once every three years since.
I've never read a book more times. I hit it about age 11 too, and estimate I've read it well over 60 or 70 times.
posted by weston at 7:38 PM on May 11, 2005
I've never read a book more times. I hit it about age 11 too, and estimate I've read it well over 60 or 70 times.
posted by weston at 7:38 PM on May 11, 2005
I don't know which came first, but many cited by others were among the early favorites. So rather than repeat those, I'll just add three that haven't come up yet: The Arabian Nights, The Complete Grimm's Fairy Tales, and The Once And Future King. (All of which have kept their honored space on the bookshelf through numerous purges of Too. Many. Books.)
These three, along with The Chronicles of Narnia and Madeline L'Engle's books, especially grabbed my young mind with the vivid detail of their exotic worlds, full of magical possibility and grand adventure. *sigh*
The Chronicles, though, were the first I read compulsively over and over. Usually in publication order, but ocassionally in "logical" order just to enjoy them from a fresh perspective.
posted by nakedcodemonkey at 7:54 PM on May 11, 2005
These three, along with The Chronicles of Narnia and Madeline L'Engle's books, especially grabbed my young mind with the vivid detail of their exotic worlds, full of magical possibility and grand adventure. *sigh*
The Chronicles, though, were the first I read compulsively over and over. Usually in publication order, but ocassionally in "logical" order just to enjoy them from a fresh perspective.
posted by nakedcodemonkey at 7:54 PM on May 11, 2005
What was the first book you read and really loved?
The Hungry Baby Bunny. Boy could that bunny put away the vegetables. Maybe it was an influence on my vegetarianism today.
Do you still think about it?
Often and fondly.
posted by Shane at 8:08 PM on May 11, 2005
The Hungry Baby Bunny. Boy could that bunny put away the vegetables. Maybe it was an influence on my vegetarianism today.
Do you still think about it?
Often and fondly.
posted by Shane at 8:08 PM on May 11, 2005
The Lonely Doll by Dare Wright, which a few people helped me rediscover in this thread. It's a vaguely disturbing picture book and I have thought of it a lot over the years. Still don't know why I was so drawn to it...
As for when I got a bit older--Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret really stuck with me. And why does Superfudge not count?...
posted by fabesfaves at 9:02 PM on May 11, 2005
As for when I got a bit older--Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret really stuck with me. And why does Superfudge not count?...
posted by fabesfaves at 9:02 PM on May 11, 2005
I remember being pretty into some kinda pulpy sci-fi by a guy named William Sleator in Jr. High, but I haven't given it too much thought until this thread came up. In grade school, I think my favorite book was probably William Steig's Abel's Island, about a posh mouse who gets marooned on a small island for a long, cold winter and learns to find meaning in non-material things. I still go back to that one quite a bit. I saw 2001 and read a bunch of Clarke at the same time when I was 11 or so, and that is definetly the kind of thing that sticks with you. And finally, as I think more about this topic, I seem to recall that Brian Jacques' Redwall series was a obsession of mine for quite awhile.
Oh, and of course, like everyone else. I loved The Westing Game! =)
posted by idontlikewords at 9:44 PM on May 11, 2005
Oh, and of course, like everyone else. I loved The Westing Game! =)
posted by idontlikewords at 9:44 PM on May 11, 2005
chrischris, that's so crazy, I loved both those books too. They honestly stand out as such significant childhood books. vundervunderbar
posted by superposition at 1:41 AM on May 12, 2005
posted by superposition at 1:41 AM on May 12, 2005
Where the Blackberries Grow, bought at the $1 book wholesaler/outlet at the first Georgia I-75 exit once you're out of Florida.
posted by trinarian at 1:43 AM on May 12, 2005
posted by trinarian at 1:43 AM on May 12, 2005
Where The Red Fern Grows. I still have a hard time telling someone about it without tearing up a little.
posted by LeeJay at 2:11 AM on May 12, 2005
posted by LeeJay at 2:11 AM on May 12, 2005
I read a book in high school called "A blues I am a whistlin" and I have never seen it since, although I try every now and again to find it. I can hardly even remember what it was about, but have never been able to put it out of my mind for some reason.
I think about it often, mostly with frustration at not being able to find it again, even though I know it was probably crap.
posted by dg at 3:13 AM on May 12, 2005
I think about it often, mostly with frustration at not being able to find it again, even though I know it was probably crap.
posted by dg at 3:13 AM on May 12, 2005
Maniac Magee.
I read it three or four times in a row in third grade.
posted by schustafa at 6:37 AM on May 12, 2005
I read it three or four times in a row in third grade.
posted by schustafa at 6:37 AM on May 12, 2005
The Freddy the Pig series by Walter R. Brooks was a bigtime obsession of mine when I was in the third and fourth grade; that was the first series fiction I read, and the first time I realized how much I enjoyed reading.
Pig Boats, by Theodore Roscoe, The United States Navy in World War II by S.E. Smith (ed.), and Incredible Victory by Walter Lord contributed to my being a lifelong naval enthusiast - I had my nose in them constantly.
posted by alumshubby at 6:45 AM on May 12, 2005
Pig Boats, by Theodore Roscoe, The United States Navy in World War II by S.E. Smith (ed.), and Incredible Victory by Walter Lord contributed to my being a lifelong naval enthusiast - I had my nose in them constantly.
posted by alumshubby at 6:45 AM on May 12, 2005
Mama taught me to read by reading to me from The Hobbit, by convincing me that if I could read it myself, I wouldn't have to wait for her to find out how how the various cliff-hangers resolved.
posted by orthogonality at 7:12 AM on May 12, 2005
posted by orthogonality at 7:12 AM on May 12, 2005
My mom read The Raven by Edgar Allen Poe to me before I could read. As soon as I could, I devoured everything he ever wrote. To this day I have an old book (that was once one in a series of a couple dozen) that is his collected works. Inside the front cover is a swastika. The book was published 1932 IIRC.
Poe is dark and I tend that way. I've wondered if I'm dark for reading him, or if I read him because of commonality. Regardless, I don't read Poe to my 4 yr old.
I, too, remember A Cricket in Times Square, but only peripherally.
posted by kc0dxh at 8:01 AM on May 12, 2005
Poe is dark and I tend that way. I've wondered if I'm dark for reading him, or if I read him because of commonality. Regardless, I don't read Poe to my 4 yr old.
I, too, remember A Cricket in Times Square, but only peripherally.
posted by kc0dxh at 8:01 AM on May 12, 2005
The Phantom Tollbooth is still the basis of my entire weltanschauung.
posted by signal at 8:43 AM on May 12, 2005
posted by signal at 8:43 AM on May 12, 2005
The first book that actually made time and pages move quickly was JL Latham's Carry on Mr. Bowditch. I found it completely engrossing because, as I recall, it featured one of the first protagonists with which I strongly identified.
posted by Verdant at 9:01 AM on May 12, 2005
posted by Verdant at 9:01 AM on May 12, 2005
Although I had read many of the great kids' books listed here, I recall tackling "The Winds of War" by Hermann Wouk when I was about 11 or 12 years old. Some of my other favorites included "Gone with the Wind" and John Jakes' "North and South" trilogy. Let's just say I would see the miniseries on tv and have to go read the books.
Trixie Belden, Bobbsey Twins, and Nancy Drew were some of the books I would check out from the library. I also checked out the Wagons West series by Dana Fuller Ross, where every book title was the name of a state like "Illinois!", "Indiana!", etc. It was about a band of pioneers moving west. And the White Indian series by Donald Clayton Porter was also a great read.
I read so much that kids' books just didn't grab my attention the way the "adult books" did.
posted by cass at 9:27 AM on May 12, 2005
Trixie Belden, Bobbsey Twins, and Nancy Drew were some of the books I would check out from the library. I also checked out the Wagons West series by Dana Fuller Ross, where every book title was the name of a state like "Illinois!", "Indiana!", etc. It was about a band of pioneers moving west. And the White Indian series by Donald Clayton Porter was also a great read.
I read so much that kids' books just didn't grab my attention the way the "adult books" did.
posted by cass at 9:27 AM on May 12, 2005
Many many many of the above, of course.
Lloyd Alexander's "The Chronicles of Prydain", starting with The Book of Three.
When I was ten or so I discovered Chester Anderson's "The Butterfly Kid", about a bunch of Greenwich Village hippies saving the world from alien invasion via massive use of hallucinogens. Whole lotta stuff over my head at the time, but so great nonetheless.
posted by Aknaton at 1:50 PM on May 12, 2005
Lloyd Alexander's "The Chronicles of Prydain", starting with The Book of Three.
When I was ten or so I discovered Chester Anderson's "The Butterfly Kid", about a bunch of Greenwich Village hippies saving the world from alien invasion via massive use of hallucinogens. Whole lotta stuff over my head at the time, but so great nonetheless.
posted by Aknaton at 1:50 PM on May 12, 2005
I don't know if I am too late in posting, but Andrew Henry's Meadow is great! I found that they were making a movie of it...
posted by Mrs. Green at 7:27 PM on May 12, 2005
posted by Mrs. Green at 7:27 PM on May 12, 2005
Roald Dahl's Matilda and Boy: Tales of Childhood. My mom used to joke that she always knew when I'd had a rough day or was coming down with a cold because she'd find me curled up after school in bed, rereading it for the millionth time.
Prior to that, I read EB White's box set of kid's novels and CS Lewis with my mom. They were the first "grown up" (non-learning-to-read level) books I remember reading. I used to save my place in them from our afternoon reads with a plastic bookmark that came from a Cracker Jack box. Le sigh.
posted by ifjuly at 9:34 PM on May 16, 2005
Prior to that, I read EB White's box set of kid's novels and CS Lewis with my mom. They were the first "grown up" (non-learning-to-read level) books I remember reading. I used to save my place in them from our afternoon reads with a plastic bookmark that came from a Cracker Jack box. Le sigh.
posted by ifjuly at 9:34 PM on May 16, 2005
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by jonmc at 1:46 PM on May 11, 2005