I always love to know people's literary trajectories. I was like you in that I read everywhere, and snuck off places to read and be alone. My Bronte book was Jane Eyre. My first poet was Emily Dickinson, but after her it was Plath and then I was off to the races. But I was also morbid and quiet and hardly ever got into trouble. I was pretty good at obeying/respecting adults, maybe because of my culture, maybe because of my particular parents. I would add that trauma dampened my spirit a bit; maybe I would have been much more extra without it. I don't know. It's so hard to be a child, and especially now. I see the struggles in my nephews and I hope and worry for them. Your son is lucky to have you paying attention. It matters so much, regardless of everything else. I'm not a teacher so I could be wrong about this (but I was a child, and a child who liked school well enough), but I think school as it is usually organized and designed really leaves out room for individuality. It's designed to train us all to conform and some kids take to that better than others, though I think it's a disservice to all.
“My mother often leveled me in the process of raising me” - ooh, girl. This piece really touched me. From devouring Plath myself to reading nightly to my own sons … keep going. Just keep going.
Flowers in the Attic was a must read pre teen book for those of us born in the late 70's or early 80's. I certainly remember wanting to read more after that. Though my mom pushed me into Danielle Steele which I quickly found to be a bore. It wasn't until 9th grade when I discovered all the great Beat writers that I really started to enjoy reading again.
Also had my brain rearranged by/was obsessed with Flowers in the Attic and all the family stories it spawned--feel like we need a support group
I always love to know people's literary trajectories. I was like you in that I read everywhere, and snuck off places to read and be alone. My Bronte book was Jane Eyre. My first poet was Emily Dickinson, but after her it was Plath and then I was off to the races. But I was also morbid and quiet and hardly ever got into trouble. I was pretty good at obeying/respecting adults, maybe because of my culture, maybe because of my particular parents. I would add that trauma dampened my spirit a bit; maybe I would have been much more extra without it. I don't know. It's so hard to be a child, and especially now. I see the struggles in my nephews and I hope and worry for them. Your son is lucky to have you paying attention. It matters so much, regardless of everything else. I'm not a teacher so I could be wrong about this (but I was a child, and a child who liked school well enough), but I think school as it is usually organized and designed really leaves out room for individuality. It's designed to train us all to conform and some kids take to that better than others, though I think it's a disservice to all.
“My mother often leveled me in the process of raising me” - ooh, girl. This piece really touched me. From devouring Plath myself to reading nightly to my own sons … keep going. Just keep going.
So when are you giving Julian Flowers in the Attic
I can totally relate as someone who read all of the stories up to the gold level in SRA, but never answered any of the questions.
Flowers in the Attic was a must read pre teen book for those of us born in the late 70's or early 80's. I certainly remember wanting to read more after that. Though my mom pushed me into Danielle Steele which I quickly found to be a bore. It wasn't until 9th grade when I discovered all the great Beat writers that I really started to enjoy reading again.
Stephanie,
Thank you for reminding me how precarious and unpredictable a young life can be. Xo