My first memory of reading a book occurred when I was about eight years old. The book was Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire; the fourth book in the series. I'm pretty sure I read the earlier Harry Potter books before moving on to the fourth but I have no strong memories of reading them.
Anyway, my cousins were visiting up from Alabama, a rare event that was the cause of some celebration at my house. My entire family and cousins were all in the kitchen eating bagels and lox, but I was curled up in the living room reading on my favorite armchair. It was the scene where Harry's name comes out of the Goblet of Fire even though he never entered it for the Triwizard Tournament, and I was completely engrossed in the book. My parents kept calling me in to spend some time with my cousins, who never visited, but I kept ignoring them because I couldn't put the book down. Eventually my mom came into the living room and took the book away, placing it high on a shelf where I couldn't reach it until after my cousins had returned to Alabama, some three days later. The entire visit all I could think about was how Harry's name ended up in the Goblet, and I was excited to see my cousins leaving for that same reason. Just to make it clear, these cousins are cousins that I like, not the annoying kind, but I still wanted them to leave so I could continue with my book.
I haven't changed much since then. Certainly, I don't always have time for reading, but when I do, woe betide anyone who tries to take my book away from me. And I'm taller than my mother now, and recently I surpassed my father, so that problem is solved.
As a friend of this fantasmigorical writer, I will remark that he very much is a fan of Harry Potter, and I specifically remember reading the preview book to "The Deathly Hallows," captivated with the many ways the series could turn. I personally have a memory in which my mother attempted to read the first book in the series, but I refused after hearing the first the couple paragraphs. I didn't end up reading the series until I read it in about three months in seventh grade. Remember Cedric!
ReplyDeleteI really liked how you explained how into the book you got. It was interesting reading this and thinking back to when I also read the books. Also, I really like how you said "woe betide," it was nice. Nice work, very nice work.
ReplyDeleteI was really drawn to reading your blog mainly because you called yourself "Sir Talalot," to be completely honest. But the book choice was also enticing, I've always loved Harry Potter and the fourth book was one of my favorites. Anyway, I like the voice you have in your writing, I just feel like it sounds like you. Especially because you say "woe betide." High five.
ReplyDeleteI'm taller than you and like to assume things so I'm going to assume I could've reached the book when your mother put it on the tope shelf. Its good to know that I wasn't the only kid that avoided family members for the sake of doing what I wanted.
ReplyDeleteI remember when I had this same attitude about books. I would get so engrossed in a novel that I wouldn't want to do anything except sit there and read all day. I loved the freedom that fantasy worlds provided, and it was so easy to spend all day in them.
ReplyDeleteI still have the same attitude. My reading time is for me, myself, and I. I used to lose myself in books until my mom hid them from me! Nice post.
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