Well, I’m about two weeks late in posting this, by my calculations. In my defense, I’ve been hard at work on my novel. (This is not the time for a progress report – stay tuned!) Apologies all around. And away we go…

Books.

I love them.

As in: I am rarely further than arm’s length away from at least one.

Unfortunately, I am not always reading, but rather, I read in the cracks of my life: on the bus, while waiting for an appointment or meeting to start, on my lunch break, and, of course, before sleep. (I confess, I often wake up in the middle of night with my glasses still on and the book across me).

Without a doubt, I suffer (well, perhaps not suffer, exactly. Perhaps “experience” is the better choice of word) from abibliophobia – the fear of being without a book. When my e-reader is low on unread books – say, at around 5 – I get anxious. Wobbly tummy, panicky, utterly on edge. My most recent strategy has me into the hundreds of unread books on the e-reader, which has done not at whit to cure me of my affliction, but absolutely keeps it at bay!

I still recall, vividly, many of the children’s books my family had when I was growing up. I don’t necessarily remember their titles, but I recall the imagery and the gist of the stories. I remember my parents reading to me. There is photographic evidence of me, at 3 years old (or so), “reading” to my younger sister. I’m told that, by the time I was 2 years old, I could recite “Twas the Night Before Christmas” from memory in its entirety. (A feat I yearn to replicate today).

Books have always been there, and they’ve always played a big part of my life. So, I would like to talk about them – the books I loved/love, the books that matter to me, the sorts of things that have changed in the way I read and the things I notice now that I’m writing my own book, and whatever other whims I choose to follow.

Today, my goal is to set the stage for this discussion, and to reveal the guidelines I’ve set for myself thus far.

I do not plan to discuss literature targeted at young children. While a lot of children’s books influenced me, I began reading adult fiction around the time I was twelve years old, which was some years ago. I don’t feel that I can be objective enough to discuss the children’s books (or, frankly, any book that I first read when I was quite young) without getting overly emotional. A lot of these books are treasured friends, and I’m either unwilling (or unable) to seek out their flaws in the harsh light of adulthood.

Lately, I find myself reading a lot of Young Adult fiction. Partly, this is because so many books are targeted at that audience in recent years, but also because the I’m personally drawn to themes commonly present in YA fiction. This will definitely be on the table for discussion!

Under the current climate, I am cautious about beginning this series. There is one author among my favourites who was accused of some pretty heinous abuse after passing away. I only discovered the allegations within the past couple of years, and have been an avid fan of this author for decades. I am still not sure how to process this. Let me be clear: I believe the accuser (there is no benefit in speaking out after the death of the author that I can see). This author’s work, on the other hand, has been a beloved companion throughout my life. I’m not sure how to balance my love of the art with my revulsion towards and utter condemnation of the alleged actions of the author. I’m still trying to figure this out, so I won’t be sharing any answers.

I think, with the tsunami of allegations rocking all industries in the wake of the #Metoo movement, we’re likely all confronted with this type of conflict to some degree or another. I don’t plan to get into the sort of philosophical discussion that this deserves (it rightly deserves a lot of consideration and debate. I simply feel this is not the venue). I have no doubt that allegations against others are likely to continue to surface.

So, without further ado, here is a list of some of my absolute favourite books/series/authors, in no particular order:

Books – stand alone:

The Firebrand – Marion Zimmer Bradley
The Princess Bride – William Goldman
It – Stephen King
Dreamcatcher – Stephen King
Black Beauty – Anna Sewell
Last of the Amazons – Steven Pressfield
Brave New World – Aldous Huxley
The Handmaid’s Tale – Margaret Atwood
The Gargoyle – Andrew Davidson
A Girl of the Limberlost –  Gene Stratton-Porter
The Honor Girl – Grace Livingston Hill

Series:

The Light Series – Marion Zimmer Bradley
The Inheritance Trilogy – N K Jemison (but really, everything she has written!)
Throne of Glass Series – Sarah J Maas (and everything she has written!)
Firethorn Trilogy – Sarah Micklem (I’m waiting for the conclusion with bated breath!)
Cat Trilogy – Joan D Vinge