[jackm8]

I had a substantial hiatus in my youth. I was extremely avid reader for the first four or five years of my elementary/highschool (8 year euro system is a bit of a mix of both age wise). I read everything that I got my hands on, at least once. I practically spent all my free time reading, to the point that I was worrying people around me. Then towards the end of highschool, and during the first couple of years of gymnasium equivalent (4 years), I practically completely abandoned books. I don't quite know what caused this. Some light family problems, friends, grades and future worry, pc gaming, I really can't point to anything specific. I even had problems reading novels that were prescribed by classes. I was arrogant and would often leave stuff like Hamlet (read in translation, then) till the last days, and quickly went through the work. I'd misunderstand everything, hated everything, and fail miserably on tests. Then, sometime towards the third year of gymnasium, I discovered fantasy and scifi and it brought me back. Tolkien was the culprit. I had my mum pick me a copy of Lord of the Rings from the library (long story) and I was immediately enchanted. At that time, fantasy literature translations into my native language were severely lacking, so I was forced into reading it in English, and that got me into e-readers as well. My tastes changed, I learned to love Shakespeare, I dismissed fantasy. I no longer read as much as I did in my youth, but I've never gone without books, as well. I still remember fondly the feeling that I got when I rediscovered my passion for reading. It was as if I was sleeping before. My whole mind went from numb to active again.