Favorite reads

I went out to breakfast with my sister recently and we got into a conversation about books we remembered reading from our youth. No, we did not talk about your addictions to Judy Blume or Sweet Valley High books. Instead, we were talking about the first classic book we ever read where we really felt passionate about it. It was a fun conversation!

I was in 8^th grade and I got pulled out into a small group to do my English classes with the principal – Mr. Kusler. Any other 8^th grader probably would have freaked – who seriously wants to sit with the principal for class?? I was thrilled – I knew it meant something special. Such a sad commentary about my young adult life J.

I think we got pulled out because there was a shortage of English teachers in the school. I don’t recall how long we had class with him. One thing I do remember is sitting in our little pod in the middle of a large open room surrounding by other groups of students all trying to learn. This was the 80’s – they were doing weird things with classrooms and hair back then. I believe there was only about 6 of us in this “special” group.

We read the Grapes of Wrath. And, then we talked about it. Really, it was just like our modern day book clubs. And, I loved every single second of that time. I remembered really enjoying the book and getting the chance to put myself in the lives of those cotton sharecroppers living with discrimination, rejoicing in their religion and clinging to their families. Mr. Kusler led our discussions, but I don’t remember anyone but us students ever talking. We shared openly and honestly about the book. I remember being amazed that my fellow classmates picked up on the similar parts of the book that I did.

That truly was the first time I remember being absolutely in love with a book. I have tried to read that book since then, but have never made it through the entire thing. I just isn’t the same for me. And, I found that when I was rereading it, I was struggling more with the desire to have that same feeling I had when I was back in 8^th grade. When I couldn’t recreate that feeling, it made me want to put the book down. I didn’t want to tarnish my memory of that great, compelling story.

It’s fun to relive these types of memories with people that we love. We all have different reactions to things that have gone on in our lives. Sharing that with others is as important as sharing the love of a really good book. Hope you all get a chance to lose yourselves in a good memory or an even better book sometime soon!