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Bill Wallace & "A Dog Called Kitty"
Honestly, I don't have that one book that made me a reader, and I cannot tell you about learning to read. I have always been a reader and read everything that I could get my hands on, including the back of cereal books. When I try to recall books from my childhood, the earliest ones I can recall are Bill Wallace books. I devoured all of them and especially loved "A Dog Called Kitty"; "Snot Stew" was a close second though. -
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Elementary Years
Any time I had the chance, I would skip on down to the library. I volunteered in there as much as I could; however, I still cannot remember a book that was "The Book" of my childhood. I remember loving "The Boxcar Children", "Freckle Juice" and anything Judy Blume, "Island of the Blue Dolphins" and "Hatchet" which my 6th grade homeroom teacher read aloud to us. I read so much that the few times I was in trouble, my mom actually grounded me from reading- oh the horror! -
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Middle School Years
I remember my mom getting upset with me because she would buy me a book, and I would finish it within a day. She vowed to stop buying me books because she couldn't keep up financially; thank goodness for the library. I loved reading the "Sweet Dreams" series, all of "The Babysitters Club" books, "Number the Stars", and "The Westing Game". -
Christopher Pike
When I discovered Christopher Pike, it was a life-changing moment. Where had these books been all of my life (or at least for the past 12 years)? "Chain Letter" was the first book I read, and I couldn't read it fast enough. When I was finished, I immediately started "Remember Me". I told anyone who would listen about these books. Luckily, I had a few friends, especially my best friend Casey, that I was able to get hooked on Pike, too, so I was able to borrow their books. -
"Watership Down"
During the summer before my freshman year in high school, I was supposed to read "Watership Down". I just couldn't get into the book no matter how many times I picked it up. I couldn't understand why my teacher would require us to read such a boring book. I remember that I only had to read a few stories out of Edith Hamilton's Mythology, but I read the entire book instead of reading "Watership Down". I still haven't read the book to this day; maybe I should give it another chance. -
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High School Years
My reading slowed down some during my high school years due to AP classes, working, and spending lots of time with my high school sweetheart. During these years I was obsessed with V.C. Andrews (though I think I actually started reading her in middle school), Danielle Steele ("Palomino" was my favorite), Stephen King, and Tom Clancy (the boyfriend liked me to read them aloud to him). While my friends spent time in the pool, I could be found sitting outside of it with a book in my hand. -
"Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again"
That first line hooked me! "Rebecca" is still one of my all-time favorite books, and my musty old copy sits prominently on my bookshelf. This book introduced me to thrillers and from there I was hooked on Harlan Coben, Dean Koontz, Michael Connelly, and James Patterson, all whom I still read today. -
Nicholas Sparks & "The Notebook"
My love for Nicholas Spark began during my senior year. I finally had a day off work and spent the entire day sitting in my room, immersed in Noah and Allie's love story. Sobbing, I walked out to the living room to tell my mom about the book. I couldn't get the words out, and I remember her asking, "Did Paul break up with you?" All I could get out was, "No, it's the book!" Since then I have been an avid fan and have read all of his books. -
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College Years
Obviously, college was a busy time. I did not have much time for reading outside of school especially since I was working full-time while attending school, but I still managed to squeeze in some recreational reading. I joined a book club in my dorm, and that helped me to keep reading. Some of my favorites from this time were "She's Come Undone", "The Rescue", "The Pilot's Wife", and "Gap Creek". I still read a lot though because I was an English major, so reading was part of the journey. -
"Speak"
As part of the required reading in my Literature for Children class, I read "Speak" for Laurie Halse Anderson. I remember sitting on the hill near my dorm, one of my favorite places to read, pleading with Melinda to find her voice. My heart broke for her and for every girl who has survived such a horrific ordeal. My emotions ran the gamut. A few years later, I shared it with one of my own students and still have the letter she gave me about how that book changed her life as a reader. -
Meeting Nicholas Sparks
I was able to meet Nicholas Sparks and get his autograph at a local Barnes and Noble. This is the picture I took! -
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Goodreads
In 2008, I joined Goodreads as a way to share my reading with others. It's another platform that I do not keep up with consistently, but I do love exploring book recommendations on the site. -
Books I've Read Bulletin Board
As a way to get students excited about reading and to share good books with them, I started a "Books I've Read" bulletin board in my class. Every time I finish a book, I print off a picture of the cover and hang it for all to see. It doesn't matter if it's a picture book, YA book, or a self-help book; I put it up there. I keep them up all year to show how much I have read, what I have read, and to help students and even adults find their next great book. -
Instagram- Mrsgreshamreads
In efforts to share what I am reading with my students and others, I created a reading Instagram account in August of 2018. I haven't always been the best at keeping up with it, but I have been working on it. Because of the books that I have shared, I have been approached by parents and students who ask if they can borrow my book or if I have other books to recommend. -
#FirstChapterFriday
During the 2018-2019 school year, I started First Chapter Fridays, an idea I saw on Instagram. The premise is as simple as it sounds.
I read the first chapter, and only the first chapter, of a book to my students as a way of previewing a new book for them. It was a hit, and they even asked if we could have Two Chapters Tuesdays. That definitely made my teacher/reader heart happy. I cannot wait to do it again this year.
