March SOL – Day 22

 

Today is Day 22 of the March Slice of Life – the daily writing challenge hosted at Two Writing Teachers.

Reading “My Reading Touchstones” at “One Grateful Teacher” led me to Michelle’s slice “Reading and Where it All Began” and the Donalyn Miller’s post at Nerdy Book Club. All three were such powerful reads and made me think about the books that have been touchstones throughout my life.

My earliest obsession was the Anne of Green Gable series by L.M. Montgomery. I reread the first book several times, as well as watching the movies. The idea of “kindred spirits” still informs me when I meet new people.
Other books at the time that moved me were:
The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

In high school I read so many books that still resonate.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Cry the Beloved Country Alan Paton
Lord of the Flies by William Golding
I was also introduced to scifi and fantasy then and that has continued to this day. I am so attracted to the mind behind the created new worlds.
Early books:
Fahrenheit 451
1984 by George Orwell
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
Lord of the Rings by Tolkien

In my early 20s I seriously considered converting to Catholicism. “In This House of Brede” by Rumer Godden was a strong influence.
Two feminist books also opened my eyes in my 20s.
The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedman
Fear of Flying by Erica Jong

While teaching, especially in the past 10 years, I read many teaching books which helped improve my teaching. “The Book Whisperer” by Donalyn Miller was probably the most influential as it was such a positive support to what I believed about reading, one that I could pass on to others.

As I turned to art and writing in the past few years, I found several books that have had an impact on my creativity.
The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron
Bird by Bird by Anne Lammott
The Creative Habit by Twyla Tharp

This year two books really helped me look at the fear I hold on to and offered ways to attack it.
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
Carry on Warrior by Glennon Melton

There have been so many other books I’ve read over the years – many for enjoyment but others that came at the right time, in the right season, to offer support and knowledge.
Biographies have had a special appeal all my life. I love to read how others have overcome hardships and risen to their greatness.

Thank you to all those writers.