Wednesday, March 30, 2011

I love a good book

I confess to being a book geek. It is a sickness I embrace. I have many many books. I will read nearly anything, but mostly enjoy fiction, books that allow me to escape for a couple hours. I will also read books repeatedly over the years, which some people won't do. I never understood that. To me, it's no different than watching a favorite movie. Some of my favorite authors include Jean Auel, Willa Cather, Philippa Gregory, Ernest Thompson Seton, James Oliver Curwood, Conn Iggulden, Stephen King and Larry McMurtry. I still enjoy young adult and children's books. I've always loved Willard Price's Adventure Series, and still enjoy Marguerite Henry, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Walt Morey, etc. I've tried a few newer authors, and it seems that a lot of the books geared toward younger readers nowadays are a bit mindless, and many are overly simple. I did come across some excellent books recently, the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan. I tried them out after watching the recent movie that was loosely based on the first book (as usual, book is much better).

The reason I like this series so much, aside from the fun story, is that they are actually teaching the reader something in addition to just being a good read. They teach a generation of young readers about the Greek myths, heroes, and gods. The reader is learning right along with the main character, a young boy named Percy who learns that he is a demigod and a son of Poseidon. I didn't learn about the Greek myths in school, and doubt students nowadays do either. I learned about them through books I read on my own because I found them interesting (still love The Odyssey). Is knowing about Zeus, Charon, or the Titans essential knowledge? Not necessarily. Learning about these characters, though, may encourage young readers to delve deeper, read more, learn more. Books like these give new life to old stories. Reading helps to expand your vocabulary and boost creativity. (I wonder how many young readers of this series have had to look up the meaning of "greave" or "caltrop"). Exposure to literature new and classical helps one understand different viewpoints, ways of living, ways of thinking. And, of course, reading is excellent, relatively inexpensive entertainment. Can't beat that!

I used to get in trouble for reading by flashlight, under the covers, after bedtime. My mother was also caught at this as a child. I hope that when I have children of my own, I catch them doing the same. There are far worse things than getting caught with a good book.

Here's to hoping that you are never caught without a good book on hand...

From every book invisible threads reach out to other books; and as the mind comes to use and control those threads the whole panorama of the world's life, past and present, becomes constantly more varied and interesting, while at the same time the mind's own powers of reflection and judgment are exercised and strengthened.  ~Helen E. Haines

5 comments:

Paula said...

Oh my goodness! I used to read in bed with a flashlight too! It was really bad in junior high school because I was on double session and didn't have to be in to school until noon, so I'd stay up until three in the morning with a book.

My older sister told me about Percy Jackson, but I haven't read him. Actually, she has turned me on to a lot of books over the years. I tend to read non-fiction mostly, especially how-to and gardening and all that.

I still stay up too late reading....

Paula said...

oh yeah- learning about the greek gods helps a lot when you're playing Jeopardy...

Rae said...

Sure does help in Jeopardy. Especially against LJ! He may know who the lead singer was in Pearl Jam or the bassist for Primus (I actually know THAT one), but he doesn't know the difference between Aphrodite and Athena. Imagine that! Lol! I'm currently trying to get him to read The Odyssey. Maybe it will help him out a bit. :)

ILoveMyDogandMy Music said...

I love Phillipa Gregory. I just started reading "The Red Queen"..Over the years I have read so many historical novels about kings and queens going back to the 9th century. I also love Stephen King and especially Dean Koontz. I've read so many of Dean Koontz's books that I can't remember which ones I have read. I can only be sure when I pick up his newest book. I've been reading book after book all of my life. I strained my eyes very badly when I was about 12 or so. I absolutely could not put down a book and at 3 in the morning I still had my head in that book. My eyes were screaming at me and the next day they burned all day long. I probably was reading partially in the dark because I was always getting in trouble for not going to sleep. And trouble for never turning off the radio. AND in trouble for never shutting the window in the winter.

Rae said...

I especially like The Constant Princess, though the two Boleyn books were also quite good. Historical fiction is one of my favorites too!