Books have saved me, in my opinion; they gave me somehting to do at six o'clock in the morning when I couldn't get back to sleep; they gave me entertainment when I finished classwork early; they gave me an escape.
My best friends as a child were Harry, Ron and Hermione, my favourite sport Quidditch, because I didn't have concrete proof that I was bad at it, my home at Hogwarts with its staircases of death and hidden rooms on the seventh floor.
Over the last few years, though, I've deviated from the well-thumbed pages of my HP copies, and this is what I wanted to talk about today.
I like being a reader, because I don't know what my favourite genre is, strange as that may sound; ask me my favourite book, and I'll probably say Harry Potter for my childhood's sake, but really I don't know.
The point of this came around when on holiday at eleven years old, I ran out of books; out of sheer boredom, and not wanting to read the same books over again, I turned to my mum and dad's books that they'd brought, which included a Sue Grafton (U is for Undertow), which probably wasn't the most appropriate of reads for an eleven year old, but I was a mature child; a Harlan Coben, which I can't remember the name of, but that was the start of my love for Harlan Coben, I'm sure, as well as a third that I can't remember (it was nearly five years ago).
Before this, I'd been a member of my school's book club for two years (I'd actually been in the year 5 book club when I was in year 4, seeing as I had a higher reading level than most, and was in a reading group with some girls from the year above rather than anybody from my class), and while the books were interesting, they didn't exactly deviate from my age range.
Since then, I've read several Harlan Cobens (which I suggest you don't if you have a weak stomach/strong imagination, he can be quite graphic), James Pattersons (again, graphic, kept me up one night), but I've also branched into what my mum calls 'bubblegum books'.
Essentially, bubblegum books are lighthearted books, the kind that you'd read on holiday, they're gripping, but they're light; some examples of bubblegum authors are Sophie Kinsella (I just finished one called Can you Keep a Secret?, which is a really good book, and I also like I've Got Your Number too), Katie Fforde (Stately Pursuits is a good one), Cathy Woodman, and Sophie King.
Yet, whilst I'm reading all these books, I still long to return to books I've read and enjoyed before, and that is the beauty of this hobby! There are books everywhere that I can't wait to savour.
What do you think about reading? Got any recommendations for me?
Love, Eve <3
Reading enables me to dive into other worlds when I wish to escape this one. Reading has taken me on epic adventures and reading has introduced me to a lot of characters who, as strange as it sounds, are like friends to me, friends who I can visit whenever I want to. Harry Potter will always be my number one favourite series. I loved it the first time around and I still love it after many rereads. Through the ages I've shifted to Young Adult and now I'm starting to explore the realm of adult fiction. A book I'd recommend is 'Vicious' by V E Schwab. Absolutely loved that book!
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Morgana
I'm pretty sure 'a good book' is synonymous with escaping! Books provide friends who never leave, and that's brilliant! I've loved it for at least ten years now, and I don't think that'll ever change! I do quite like the young adult genre and its many tropes, and adult fiction provides such a different, more real perspective.
DeleteI'll have to add that to my 'check out' list, thank you :)
Eve <3
"I read because one life is just not enough for me" I love that. Real life never works out right, to be honest, and that's what books are for. Stories set life straight in so many different ways and dimensions, realistic or not. To be honest, bubblegum reads are my obsession, but then a really good heavy book comes along, and it becomes my new favourite until I find another one.
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The Life of Little Me
Bubblegum books have become my dip into a feminine life, but I'll never pass up something with a meatier storyline. I can go from one favourite book to the next, and it's brilliant!
DeleteEve <3
J a kerley is bloody brilliant.
ReplyDeleteLiane Moriarty is a really good author too.
Erm Nora Roberts is one of my bubblegum favourites
Outlander and jd robb are pretty damn fabulous, but mum would probably kill me for suggesting those.
Oovoo you'd like the book of life trilogy by Deborah harkness, reckon they'd be right up your street.
Sure that's enough recommendations?
DeleteI'll have to check out the ones mum would kill you for ;)
Thanks for that list xxx
Eve <3
Reading is great! Not only does it give you more lives to explore, but it extends our range of empathy and helps us become well rounded people.
ReplyDeleteBubblegum books are great every once and while. Speaking of Sophie Kinsella, I read a bunch of her Shopaholic books, but finally had to stop because Becky was just so...dumb! Endearing, but dumb. I'd be curious to check out Kinsella's other books though!
I love delving into the different perspectives of lives of characters when reading, especially when you have books with multiple POVs.
DeleteI haven't read any of the Shopaholic books yet, but I have read some of her others. I like how she maybe does write 'dumb' characters, but they prove themselves in their own ways, though they are slightly overcast by the male protagonists.
Eve <3
I've got one the wrong boy Suzy zail
ReplyDeleteI'll add it to the list, Jack :)
DeleteEve <3