Monday, July 5, 2010

Change is good, right?

Most of us have been reading books for a long, long time. I remember going to the library as a little kid with my mom and my brother, and sitting in on those "story times" they'd host for children. Afterwards we would take out a book or two, of course! I would always go for the short Nancy Drew mysteries, and my brother enjoyed fantasy books. (See? Even then I was in love with mysteries. I'm proud of myself!)

Once I grew up a bit, my cousin got me into "The Amazing Days of Abby Hayes" book series. I devoured those books! Whenever a new one came out, she would usually buy it and then let me borrow it afterwards. Our little craze lasted for a couple of years before we outgrew the series.

Fast-forward to the time when "A Series of Unfortunate Events" was the new book trend. I, like many others, loved them! I don't think I ever finished the whole series, because once the last couple of books came out I wasn't interested anymore. That brings me to the part where I explain the purpose of this post: over time, our (or at least my) taste in books changes. Just like everything else in life, really.

Looking back, I can't believe I read some of the books I did. Mr. Popper's Penguins? Really? But I have so many great memories from back when I first started, and I appreciate all the books that got me into reading. Just out of curiosity, I'd like to pick up some of my old books and write some reviews on them. Maybe I'll be doing that sometime in the future, who knows?

Has your reading "style" changed over time? Are there any personal classics from your past that you've always loved?

13 comments:

Jan von Harz said...

It a long time to remember, but my favorite books in grade school(no junior highs or middle school back then) were biographies. I haven't read a biography in years. I graduated to spy novels love Ian Fleming and Bond James Bond. Then I went through a romance phase, then fantasy and science fiction. Now I prefer YA as it keeps me up n what my students are reading.

PS I read Mr Poppins Penguins for my Children's Lit class

Rebecca Chapman said...

I don't think my reading tastes have changed particularly over time except for the obvious change in age appropriate material. I have alwys been attracted to the same types of story and writing. Maybe I am a creature of habit?!

Linna said...

Excellent post, Emidy! I remember thinking some books were just the best things ever when I was younger, and now I can't even rank them above my favorites. Times and tastes are always changing; sometimes I even think what I enjoy now will seem silly when I'm older... And that's a thought that always scares me a little inside.

Sara said...

Hmm I'm not really sure. I've had such a long reading history. All I know is that once I started blogging I became open to a whole other world of books. Aww I do remember loving the Abby Hayes books and others like the Bernstein Bears, Amelia Bedelia, Sweet Valley High, Goosebumps, oh and Junie B. Jones, loved those! Gosh I loved those childhood books. Great post Emidy! :)

Darlyn said...

I dont really have a reading habit. I read books that I owns or I won. Maybe I'm not a selective person. But I do follow some trends. I read what's new too and sometime 10/20 years old books. LOL

Emidy @ Une Parole said...

Jan - Biographies, interesting! I don't think I've ever read one, but I see them on TV all the time.

Becky - I was kind of the same way. The types of book I read hasn't changed drastically, but I obviously read more mature books now.

Jeanne C. said...

Emidy, I have ALWAYS loved mysteries. I can't get enough. I don't know why. Growing up, of course Nancy Drew was my go-to gal. Trixie Belden. Anything by Ruth Chew. One book I was particularly excited to read was "Secrets of the Shopping Mall". Can't remember the author. But that was like the first book off of the YA shelf that I checked out of the library myself, without having to use my older sister's "young adult" card. Sorry to ramble.... great post!

Tales of Whimsy said...

Good question. My taste continues to involve with me.

When I was young I love Chick Lit. Probably because I was young and looking for love.

Now that I'm older Chick Lit bores me to tears.

Gina said...

Oh now see I read Mr. Popper's Penguins and still hold that as a childhood favorite. It's true though, reading habits change somewhat or at least what we find most appealing. I've always been a reader but honestly didn't really get into the whole YA genre until late in high school, I think. Before that but after picture book and typical kids fiction age, it was all about crime fiction...Patricia Cornwell, James Patterson, John Sanford...yep, I was an interesting kid. ^_^ Enjoy you re-reads, it should be quite an adventure!

Emidy @ Une Parole said...

Hmm... weird. Some of your comments only showed up now!

Linna - Thank you! I totally agree. Some of the books I used to like seem so silly now!

Sara - Junie B. Jones! Goosebumps! Those were so great. But yes, blogging has helped me discover so many new books that I probably wouldn't have read before.

Darlyn - Me too! I read new books, old books, and classics.

Jeanne - Mysteries have always been a favourite of mine, too! I don't think I'll ever stop reading them.

Juju - Yes, I can see that. I'm not into chick lit myself, either!

GMR - Oooh... crime fiction. Gotta love that!

Luanne said...

I too have fond memoires of the books from childhood. The librarian that started my love of reading got me hooked on The Borrowers and The Little House on the Prairie series. I'm sure she was tired of me asking what next, I'm finished all of those!

Emidy @ Une Parole said...

Luanne - Cute! I never read those series, but I've definitely heard of Little House, and I think The Borrowers rings a bell.

Athira said...

Mine has -- a lot! And it makes me sad in a way because some books/series/genre hold memories for me. I used to love thrillers! Now I read them very rarely because after reading so many of them, all plots are beginning to sound similar to me. I grew up with the ND mysteries too. I think I got phased out of them over time, but I am really eager to read a ND mystery now to see how I would take it. I mean, Nancy Drew meant the world to me when I was growing up - I wanted to be like her.. Will I feel that even now?

It's a good thing our tastes don't get stuck in one section. And too much of anything tires us out. Still, they make for fond memories.