But, Enough About Books….
But, enough about books. . . what else do you read?? Magazines? Newspapers? Professional journals? Cereal boxes? Phone books? Purchase invoices? Homework? (Please be specific. There may be a test later.)
Books are by far my favorite reading material. Full-length books. Not short stories. Books.
It’s true, though, there are times I read other things. I glance at the newspaper in the morning, but don’t really read it. But there are some magazines–there are some craft ones, yes, but also the Smithsonian, which I’ve subscribed to since high school. Whole Dog Journal. TV Guide. Real Living. Writers Ask, too–a nice little newsletter that interviews writers.
Beyond that? Well, yeah, cereal boxes. Soup cans. Shampoo bottles. Bumper Stickers.
Really, if you want to get right down to it, I’ll read just about anything.
In fact, here, I’ll tell you a story. (Have I told you this before?) I’ve been reading since I was three years old. Or at least, that’s what my Mom tells me. Along with the anecdote of how my Grandmother didn’t believe I was actually reading, that she thought I was just repeating some story I’d memorized, until Mom handed me the newspaper or something, and I took off, struggling through the day’s headlines while my Grandmother’s jaw dragged on the floor.
I don’t actually remember how old I was, but I DO remember the instant that the concept of reading clicked in my head.
Like most Moms, mine had taught me the alphabet, and Sesame Street started its run on PBS just at the right time for me, but you know as well as I that parroting the alphabet is a big leap from the comprehension that letters put together make words, words make sentences, etcetera etcetera.
The moment that I made that mental leap? I remember it exactly. We were in the car. I’m pretty sure we were going to my Grandmother’s house (the other Grandmother), but can’t guarantee it. What I CAN tell you is that I was in the backseat, and I looked up (way up), out of the window at a sign. Ironically, I can’t at all remember what the sign actually said. But I do remember that I looked at it and the letters represented sounds, and the sounds combined to make made words, and the words were ones which I knew. I got it. It made sense. Angels sang. The heavens opened and light beamed through the clouds. It was a very private little miracle.
Because at that instant, not only did I make the connection between written letters, words, and so on. But, like a switch being pulled, I had the revelation that, with this knowledge, I could read anything. I could read the picture books scattered in my bedroom. I could read the books scattered in my sister’s bedroom. I could read Mommy and Daddy’s newspaper in the morning. I could read absolutely anything in the entire world that I wanted to read . . . all I needed to do was learn the words. I clearly remember that sense of revelation and the feeling of the whole world opening up to me. (As well as being daunted at the thought of all the words I was going to have to learn to accomplish this task.)
The family joke is, that I’ve been trying to read everything, ever since.
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Tannenbaum.
House Calls
That is so cool that you remember the instant it “clicked”! I also learned to read at three, but I have no story or memory to back it up . . . I’ll have to ask my mom if she remembers.
you know, i can’t remember when i finally “got” it, but i can remember several books from 1st grade (they didn’t teach reading until then in my school), and the fact that from 2nd grade on, i was NEVER without a book. even now, i keep a book in the car to read if i dont’ have my knitting or my regular reading.
and my boys are the same way. NEVER without a book. in fact, sean had his backpack at the wedding, so he would have a book to read while we did pictures.
Deb, you are my reading kindred spirit. I learned to read at age 4 because I was tired of my mom telling me “not now” when I begged her to read to me (constantly). I don’t know how I learned…like you, it just clicked. And I am a magazine junkie…as a kid, I even read my dad’s issues of Popular Mechanics if I was desperate between library visits. Isn’t it wonderful to have this passion!
I don’t remember ever not being able to read but I have no idea when that was. I do know that the librarian at my elementary school told me on the 2nd day of school that I could read any book I wanted and not just the books marked X on the bottom rows, after having me read a few different books to her. Now I know what she was doing!
That’s so cool, remembering the exact moment. Lucky you.
Deb, I enjoyed your site and your post. I also learned to read at an extremely young “3″. I lived with my grandmother who taught me to read and one day we went to the airport to pick her up (she was visiting from the states) and I remember my grandmother asking me to read for my mother. I vividly recall reading everything in my path- newspapers, signs, advertisement- you name it. Finally my mom begged me to stop!
Anyhow I was impressed with the number of books you’ve read. I never thought I’d meet another avid reader like me. You stated you were working on writing something? Have you published anything yet? I’d love to read something you’ve written. Your writing style is very funny and laid back.