Can you write books without loving them? I would argue no. Definitely
no.
If you scroll down my blog you will find a link to
The Literacy Site, where, if you click, sponsors pay for books to go to children in need. I keep that link of up all the time, ever since I found it on Cathy's blog, Kittling Books.
Now there is another good cause to click...Rayna of
Coffee Rings Everywhere posted yesterday about a unique opportunity to make a difference. In her words, "
BlogHer and
BookRenter have joined forces, and from May 3-28, are working to make a difference in children's lives by generating new books for children who need them most -- via the nonprofit organization
First Book.
"For every person who leaves a comment
here answering the question, What book has had the greatest impact on your life?, they will donate one book to a child in need. If you blog about the contest and link to the site, an additional book would be donated." (I even stole the title from her!)
Now let's talk about that favorite first book...Or maybe it wasn't your first, but one that really made an impact. For me it was
Hawaii by James Michener. My father gave me his copy when I was a young reader. I had read many books before that--
Gone With the Wind,
Anne of Green Gables,
Wuthering Heights. But my father giving that book to me and the adult world it opened told me it was okay to get lost in a book. It was ok to form ideas from those beautiful words and images, even as I grew up.
I still have that book and will pass it on to one of my children someday. It's not a first edition or even a big hard copy. It's just important to me.
What book means something to you? What do you do (or
will you do) to make sure others have that same opportunity?
Michele - I loved Hawai'i, too, and I can see how it would have had such an impact on you. As for me. the book that really impacted my life is Agatha Christie's Mrs. McGinty's Dead. That novel turned me on to mysteries, and I've never looked back. I still have the worn and much-mended copy that I got as a teenager.
ReplyDeleteMichele - I was just hoping someone would give me a hint to children's sites like these. Thanks so much.
ReplyDeleteBook of impact? Hmm. Librarian turned me on to Nancy Drew, etc. When I read everything and we discussed each of them she allowed my to graduate to Agatha Christie. I was 9 or 10. Mystery/thriller/suspense there just aren't enough!
Maribeth
Giggles and Guns
Margot- Agatha Christie will always be the goddess of mystery novels! My mother was an actress and had the script for Ten Little Indians and Mousetrap that I read as a child. I actually read those scripts before I read the books! Now, of course, I have read many of her novels and love her characters--Poirot, Miss Marple, Tommy and Tuppence. She is inimitable.
ReplyDeleteMarbeth- It is wonderful to pass on the love of reading. And of course I remember Nancy Drew! I read those as well. My mother didn't have any from her childhood, but my father had some Hardy Boys that I read, and that led me to Nancy Drew. She was quite the sleuth!
Oh my goodness. I posted about the book that made that first impact today! What a coincedence! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea, and a great cause! I think I'll do that right now!
ReplyDeleteIs BlogHer meant to be a Ladies Only community?
ReplyDeleteThis is a hard one. I'm gonna go with Pippy Longstocking and Little House on the Prairie as my first favorites.
ReplyDeleteI remember reading Of Mice and Men and Grapes of Wrath in school and it was the first time I read a book where I wondered, people really treated other people that cruelly? After that, I wanted to know more about the world.
ReplyDeleteCD
My first favorite book? Probably Bambi. And it's nothing like the dorky Disney movie, either.
ReplyDeleteThe Mouse and the Motorcycle.
ReplyDeleteThat's about as far back as I can remember!
I'm going to include this in my link round-up. Thanks for the info!
ReplyDeleteI gotta go with Anne of GG followed closely by the Hobbit :)
ReplyDeleteI love 'The book Thief' And I pass it along at each opportunity I have :)
ReplyDeleteLisa McKay's "My Hands Came Away Red" ... I recommend it to people who are hurting.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the mention, Michele.
ReplyDeleteI loved Hawaii too (love most of James Michener), and I love the reason why you love it so much.
Note to self - when kids are ready, make sure I officially hand over to them a adult book that they would like, so they treasure it always.
Alliterative- It's a small world. :)
ReplyDeleteWill- It really is a great cause, and I don't know about BlogHer.
Elizabeth- Stieg Larsson also claimed Pippy Longstocking as a great influence in his writing.
Clarissa- Those are a great look into the abilities of the human soul. There is a reason Steinbeck is The Great American Writer.
Diane- I have never thought to read the book Bambi! Honestly, I didn't know it was a book. How sad is that? Is it appropriate for children?
Alex- Oh, I know that one. Great choice!
Cathy- You're welcome. It is a great chance to help others. Thanks for linking to me! I just realized I forgot to link to you when I mentioned you--that was complete oversight, I hope you know, not intentional!
Jemi- I loved Anne of GG. I hope our children love the same books we did...
Tabitha- I don't know that one. A new one to me! Love that!
Kristen- Another new one to me. Sounds interesting, and healing.
Rayna- Thank YOU. And it's hard to know when they're ready. I wonder if we'll know...