Too funny! I almost bought a used copy of The Book of Three last Sunday, but decided to resist the impulse. I may borrow it from the library though. Just reread The Wolves of Willoughby Chase last week and thoroughly enjoyed it!
This is something that I struggle with. I hold many books close, and loved a lot as a child, but the series I held closest was Harry Potter, and that one has been poisoned for me now. I engage with it in other ways right now, but it breaks my heart to remember the series I've loved since the age of 5.
I’m so sorry, Nicole. I know that heartbreak too well. My daughter loved Harry Potter, but it’s hard to separate the art from the artist when the artist is constantly bringing such vile hatred into the world. I am experiencing a similar sense of grief and conflict over Neil Gaiman’s work. I found his books later in life, and always loved listening to the audio versions (which he narrates so beautifully), but they are now tainted by the allegations against the author. Never meet your heroes, I guess. 😔 I hope you can recall other childhood favorites that might bring you comfort. Or, perhaps, you might choose a children’s book you’ve never read and just enjoy it in the present. Either way, happy reading!
Jamie your posts always feel like a warm hug. How do you do it? I often read YA and children’s books for fun but I rarely reread one of my favorites from childhood. I’m going to take on your side quest this week and find one. 😍
Aw yay!! 🥰 i chose Santa Paws by Nicholas Edwards bc it just came in the mail ($2 from thrift books) and is highly appropriate for the season. I also have been itching to go back to little house on the prairie for some reason. I read those books on repeat as a kid.
This article beautifully captures the enchantment of childhood reading experiences. Those books weren't just stories; they were portals to other worlds, keys that unlocked our imaginations. As a child, I could get lost in a book for hours, completely absorbed in the characters and their adventures. It's a kind of magic that's hard to replicate as an adult, with all the responsibilities and distractions of everyday life. It makes me wonder, how can we recapture some of that sense of wonder and possibility as adults? Is it even possible, or is it something that inevitably fades with time?
Such an interesting question, Alexander - are we, as adults, even capable of the kind of immersive reading experience we had when we were kids. Based on my own experience, I’m going to say yes, but with the caveat that it’s much harder to achieve for all the reasons you mentioned. It is hard, now that we’re grown up, to be as single-minded as a child - to let everything go except the one thing you’re focusing on … to be fully and unwaveringly present in the moment. Perhaps that is a big part of any story’s magic - the ability to keep us grounded in the moment.
I agree - it’s hard to be single-minded, but I think that is simply presence, and we almost need to relearn presence because we forgot it along the way.
I have often returned to the "classics" that my high school and college English classes did not include on required reading lists. There are two "re-reads" that I want to go back to and still have not. I don't consider them children's books or even young adult books, but I read them when I was 9 or 10 years old: Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights. I know my age because I remember the chair where I sat reading in the house we moved from at the end of 5th grade. I think I'm resisting the urge in case they lose some of what I loved while reading as a child - instead of considering what might be enhanced by reading them again as an adult. I think what I remember most was simply being lost in their world as I read, and that was an incredible experience.
I bet they’ll stand the test of time, as well. One day I will re-read them. Thank you for the inspiration - and for the reminder of Kate Bush’s song. I loved that and have not thought about it in forever. Now I have to look for it online and listen to it again. I’ll have to look up Salt & Broom as well - I do not know that book. ☺️
Jane Eyre has always been a favorite of mine as well. I recently read a fantasy retelling called Salt & Broom that was quite fun.
I’m embarrassed to admit I’ve never read Wuthering Heights. All I know about it is what I picked up from listening to the Kate Bush song. 😁
I understand your hesitation to reread for fear of somehow tarnishing your memory of the original reading experience. I’m going to hazard a guess, however, that those two books are made of stuff that stands the test of time. 😉💜
Thank you, JT. Delighted to learn you an “old children’s librarian.” I’m not sure there is a more noble (or magical) responsibility on the planet. Also, I would now like a t-shirt with 398.2 on it.
I didn’t know the story behind that quote until I looked into it for this post. I was happy to learn something new, and also happy to find that there was some truth to the attribution, albeit a slightly meandering truth.
I might just go dig my Prydain Chronicles out of my Mom's storage closet while I'm visiting her after reading this one!
Too funny! I almost bought a used copy of The Book of Three last Sunday, but decided to resist the impulse. I may borrow it from the library though. Just reread The Wolves of Willoughby Chase last week and thoroughly enjoyed it!
This is something that I struggle with. I hold many books close, and loved a lot as a child, but the series I held closest was Harry Potter, and that one has been poisoned for me now. I engage with it in other ways right now, but it breaks my heart to remember the series I've loved since the age of 5.
I’m so sorry, Nicole. I know that heartbreak too well. My daughter loved Harry Potter, but it’s hard to separate the art from the artist when the artist is constantly bringing such vile hatred into the world. I am experiencing a similar sense of grief and conflict over Neil Gaiman’s work. I found his books later in life, and always loved listening to the audio versions (which he narrates so beautifully), but they are now tainted by the allegations against the author. Never meet your heroes, I guess. 😔 I hope you can recall other childhood favorites that might bring you comfort. Or, perhaps, you might choose a children’s book you’ve never read and just enjoy it in the present. Either way, happy reading!
Jamie your posts always feel like a warm hug. How do you do it? I often read YA and children’s books for fun but I rarely reread one of my favorites from childhood. I’m going to take on your side quest this week and find one. 😍
Awww … Santa Paws looks so cute!! 🥰
Aw yay!! 🥰 i chose Santa Paws by Nicholas Edwards bc it just came in the mail ($2 from thrift books) and is highly appropriate for the season. I also have been itching to go back to little house on the prairie for some reason. I read those books on repeat as a kid.
That is the best compliment you could give me. I’m positively glowing. 🥰
Can’t wait to hear which book you choose and what you discover. Have fun!!
This article beautifully captures the enchantment of childhood reading experiences. Those books weren't just stories; they were portals to other worlds, keys that unlocked our imaginations. As a child, I could get lost in a book for hours, completely absorbed in the characters and their adventures. It's a kind of magic that's hard to replicate as an adult, with all the responsibilities and distractions of everyday life. It makes me wonder, how can we recapture some of that sense of wonder and possibility as adults? Is it even possible, or is it something that inevitably fades with time?
Such an interesting question, Alexander - are we, as adults, even capable of the kind of immersive reading experience we had when we were kids. Based on my own experience, I’m going to say yes, but with the caveat that it’s much harder to achieve for all the reasons you mentioned. It is hard, now that we’re grown up, to be as single-minded as a child - to let everything go except the one thing you’re focusing on … to be fully and unwaveringly present in the moment. Perhaps that is a big part of any story’s magic - the ability to keep us grounded in the moment.
I agree - it’s hard to be single-minded, but I think that is simply presence, and we almost need to relearn presence because we forgot it along the way.
I have often returned to the "classics" that my high school and college English classes did not include on required reading lists. There are two "re-reads" that I want to go back to and still have not. I don't consider them children's books or even young adult books, but I read them when I was 9 or 10 years old: Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights. I know my age because I remember the chair where I sat reading in the house we moved from at the end of 5th grade. I think I'm resisting the urge in case they lose some of what I loved while reading as a child - instead of considering what might be enhanced by reading them again as an adult. I think what I remember most was simply being lost in their world as I read, and that was an incredible experience.
I bet they’ll stand the test of time, as well. One day I will re-read them. Thank you for the inspiration - and for the reminder of Kate Bush’s song. I loved that and have not thought about it in forever. Now I have to look for it online and listen to it again. I’ll have to look up Salt & Broom as well - I do not know that book. ☺️
Happy listening, and let me know if you try Salt & Broom. 😊
Jane Eyre has always been a favorite of mine as well. I recently read a fantasy retelling called Salt & Broom that was quite fun.
I’m embarrassed to admit I’ve never read Wuthering Heights. All I know about it is what I picked up from listening to the Kate Bush song. 😁
I understand your hesitation to reread for fear of somehow tarnishing your memory of the original reading experience. I’m going to hazard a guess, however, that those two books are made of stuff that stands the test of time. 😉💜
Thank you, JT. Delighted to learn you an “old children’s librarian.” I’m not sure there is a more noble (or magical) responsibility on the planet. Also, I would now like a t-shirt with 398.2 on it.
I didn’t know the story behind that quote until I looked into it for this post. I was happy to learn something new, and also happy to find that there was some truth to the attribution, albeit a slightly meandering truth.