My last two posts have been about poetry, but as this is my proper (first-person) blog, I figured it might be time to shake things up a bit by telling you a bit more about myself (and my love of books). I grew up in Queensland, Australia, and was introduced into the world of novel reading through a Paul Jennings series of short stories. (I think it was Unmentionable, but don’t quote me…) I fell in love with the books straight away, and preceded to read every single book Paul had written (excluding his early novels, but who read them anyway?) Soon, I had gnawed my way through all his books like a hungry vermin, but my appetite for literature had not been satisfied. It was around then that I discovered Harry Potter.
I read the first Harry Potter book when I was 9 years old, and was immediately entranced. The way it took my mind to another place, another world, was magical to me (pun intended!), and something that very few books I have read to this day could recreate. I chomped through the first three in a matter of months (I was 9 years old, so cut me some slack!), but was then halted on my quest of discovery. My annoying, no good parents (as I saw them at the time) decided I was not old enough to finish the series! Despite my immediate disappointment at this turn of events, I reckon it probably turned out for the best. For it was then that I truly branched out, as I sought to find books I was allowed to read. In that time, I read every genre there was, and I’ve learned to love them all in their own ways (excluding romance novels, because a cheap plot, cheesy dialogue and forgettable characters is EXACTLY what you want from a book!) Before long, I had read hundreds of books, and I learned to love them just as much as Harry Potter and Paul Jennings before it. For younger readers, some book recommendations I can give you include “Deltora Quest”, “Harry Potter” (obviously), “Diary of a Wimpy Kid”, “Middle School” and, debatably, the “Cherub” series.
By the time I was old enough to read the remaining Potter books, I had nearly forgotten they existed. However, when I was given them for my birthday a year or so later, I was once again absorbed in J.K Rowling’s world of magic. Boy, were they good! As I’ve grown older, I’ve read more and more books that I could happily recommend for young adults/adults. Some of my favourite authors include Lynette Noni, Stephen King, and Agatha Christie, all of whom typically write different genres, but all share one important trait. Each of these talented human beings can take their reader to a different place, and they allow readers to forget about their busy life, even if only for a few minutes. And that, in my opinion, is something we all deserve.
P.S Thanks for reading my third blog on this website. If you enjoyed the article and would like to be notified when I release new blogs, just visit my home page and subscribe. Too easy! Also, if you think I got something wrong, feel free to comment below this post. Thanks!
Image credits go to Mary GrandPré, from https://www.puzzlewarehouse.com/Flying-Keys-Harry-Potter-hp1363.html
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