How did you start reading? - Page 2

LDBoblo · 02-15-2010, 04:59 AM

No idea how I started. I recall having gone through a few books in early elementary school as per teacher recommendations (James and the Giant Peach, an abridged copy of Tom Sawyer, and the Hobbit stick out in my vague memory), but the first fiction book I got really excited about reading was Jurassic Park around 1990-1991.

Spent much of my early childhood in a small library for various reasons, so I also tried to read a lot of children's books, none of which I can remember, and also nonfiction stuff, mostly about animals and basic sciences.

Keloff · 02-15-2010, 05:56 AM

I'd been a regular in the book corner of my preschool since day one, but can't remember the books I'd read. I do recall, though, the author that started me voraciously reading as a kid was Piers Anthony and his Xanth series.

His books also prompted me to start using translating dictionaries!

Moejoe · 02-15-2010, 06:08 AM

Kevin the Kitten by Terry Hall (not the one from The Specials), which accompanied a TV series he had called Reading With Lenny.

Here's a picture of Terry with Lenny. Sadly I can't find any pictures of Kevin the Kitten.

montsnmags · 02-15-2010, 06:12 AM

Oh! Moejoe just reminded me of my very first book (with pictures, but for reading a step up from "See Spot run."). It was Rusty The Nimble Numbat. FWIW, yes, numbats are a real animal (and they're not bats

).
Cheers,
Marc

JanG · 02-15-2010, 06:34 AM

I started reading on my own when I was four. Noddy and The Secret Seven were my first reads. Thank the Lord for Enid Blyton, because she was the only real children's novelist around in the UK back then. Other authors wrote in a much higher level of language. I never saw a Dr. Seuss book (or heard of them) until my American MIL bought them for my kids (my eldest is 16).

My first classic reads were Black Beauty and Little Women. I received those as birthday presents from friends when I was eight.

God, MoeJoe, I remember Lenny the Lion - but I don't think I ever saw him in colour! Of course, I also remember Listen with Mother, so it's not surprising I remember Lenny!

--JanG.

Lo Zeno · 02-15-2010, 06:38 AM

The first time that I read a book because I wanted to, was when I was 5 years old. The book was Jules Verne's A Journey to the Center of Earth. Its cover was a beautiful ble reproduction of the hardcover of the first original French edition.

Many more Verne's books followed that one (Michael Strogoff, 20.000 leagues under the sea, the Sons of Captain Grant, the Misterious Island...), and like all my childhood memories they are stored in a room devoted to remind me of the past

DoctorOhh · 02-15-2010, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HorridRedDog

That got me thinking about the first few books that I had read because I wanted to.

The first book I read (not counting comic books) because I wanted to was the summer after I graduated High School. I read The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty. Every book prior to that one was forced on me in school and I resented each experience.

I enjoyed reading The Exorcist. I never read another horror novel, but did continue reading various books. I eventually settled on Sci-fi and fantasy as my outlet of choice.

WT Sharpe · 02-15-2010, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moejoe

Kevin the Kitten by Terry Hall (not the one from The Specials), which accompanied a TV series he had called Reading With Lenny.

Here's a picture of Terry with Lenny. Sadly I can't find any pictures of Kevin the Kitten.

Are you sure that's not Eddie Munster?

fiver · 02-15-2010, 10:39 AM

I started reading on my own when I was 4 - and was always way ahead of my grade level.

Read a lot of:

Hardy Boys
Encycolopedia Brown
Paddington Bear
OZ
Ramona Quimby

When I was about 10 I started reading SF with The Hobbit, Chronicles of Prydain, Asimov, the James Blish Star Trek adaptations, Watership Down..

Michael

ziegl027 · 02-15-2010, 11:14 AM

Misty of Chincoteague is the first "chapter" book I read all by myself. I remember I learned to read pretty young, about the time my brother (who is three years older) was learning. Spurred on by the "anything he can do, I can do better" sentiments of all little sisters everywhere.

TC Beacham · 02-15-2010, 11:26 AM

Can't remember a time when I wasn't a big reader - especially liked Harriet The Spy and Pippi Longstocking when I was a kid.

poohbear_nc · 02-15-2010, 11:31 AM

It was a mixture of Robert Louis Stevenson, Lang's fairy tale books of various colored covers, and Mark Twain.

BenG · 02-15-2010, 11:58 AM

Dr. Seuss
Old Mother West Wind.

yekim54 · 02-15-2010, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HorridRedDog

Anyone else remember the book/books that got you started?

It was all downhill after finishing this one.

FlorenceArt · 02-15-2010, 01:20 PM

I've been reading since long before I can remember. I remember reading lots of Enid Blyton books, and also Fantômette, a French series. Mostly I remember the collections: Bibliothèque rose (Fantômette was in that collection), Bibliothèque verte (for older children - The Famous Five were in that one I think, and the Secret Seven), and later I just loved Contes et légendes (collections of fairy tales and legends from all over the world).

02-15-2010, 10:39 AM	#24
fiver Enthusiast Posts: 31 Karma: 100 Join Date: May 2009 Device: Kindle	I started reading on my own when I was 4 - and was always way ahead of my grade level. Read a lot of: Hardy Boys Encycolopedia Brown Paddington Bear OZ Ramona Quimby When I was about 10 I started reading SF with The Hobbit, Chronicles of Prydain, Asimov, the James Blish Star Trek adaptations, Watership Down.. Michael

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02-15-2010, 04:59 AM	#16
LDBoblo Wizard Posts: 1,385 Karma: 16056 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Asia Device: Kindle 3 WiFi, Sony PRS-505	No idea how I started. I recall having gone through a few books in early elementary school as per teacher recommendations (James and the Giant Peach, an abridged copy of Tom Sawyer, and the Hobbit stick out in my vague memory), but the first fiction book I got really excited about reading was Jurassic Park around 1990-1991. Spent much of my early childhood in a small library for various reasons, so I also tried to read a lot of children's books, none of which I can remember, and also nonfiction stuff, mostly about animals and basic sciences.

02-15-2010, 05:56 AM	#17
Keloff Electronic media explorer Posts: 64 Karma: 169796 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Pretoria, South Africa Device: Kindle (6" Display, Global Wireless, Latest Generation), iPad 2	I'd been a regular in the book corner of my preschool since day one, but can't remember the books I'd read. I do recall, though, the author that started me voraciously reading as a kid was Piers Anthony and his Xanth series. His books also prompted me to start using translating dictionaries!

02-15-2010, 06:08 AM	#18
Moejoe Banned Posts: 5,100 Karma: 72193 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: South of the Border Device: Coffin	Kevin the Kitten by Terry Hall (not the one from The Specials), which accompanied a TV series he had called Reading With Lenny. Here's a picture of Terry with Lenny. Sadly I can't find any pictures of Kevin the Kitten.

02-15-2010, 06:12 AM	#19
montsnmags Grand Sorcerer Posts: 10,155 Karma: 4632658 Join Date: Nov 2007 Device: none	Oh! Moejoe just reminded me of my very first book (with pictures, but for reading a step up from "See Spot run."). It was Rusty The Nimble Numbat. FWIW, yes, numbats are a real animal (and they're not bats ). Cheers, Marc

02-15-2010, 06:34 AM	#20
JanG Groupie Posts: 156 Karma: 6266 Join Date: Apr 2009 Device: Laptop; Kobo Clara	I started reading on my own when I was four. Noddy and The Secret Seven were my first reads. Thank the Lord for Enid Blyton, because she was the only real children's novelist around in the UK back then. Other authors wrote in a much higher level of language. I never saw a Dr. Seuss book (or heard of them) until my American MIL bought them for my kids (my eldest is 16). My first classic reads were Black Beauty and Little Women. I received those as birthday presents from friends when I was eight. God, MoeJoe, I remember Lenny the Lion - but I don't think I ever saw him in colour! Of course, I also remember Listen with Mother, so it's not surprising I remember Lenny! --JanG.

02-15-2010, 06:38 AM	#21
Lo Zeno Addict Posts: 202 Karma: 4379 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Italy Device: Hanlin V3 (with lBook firmware & OpenInkPot)	The first time that I read a book because I wanted to, was when I was 5 years old. The book was Jules Verne's A Journey to the Center of Earth. Its cover was a beautiful ble reproduction of the hardcover of the first original French edition. Many more Verne's books followed that one (Michael Strogoff, 20.000 leagues under the sea, the Sons of Captain Grant, the Misterious Island...), and like all my childhood memories they are stored in a room devoted to remind me of the past

02-15-2010, 11:14 AM	#25
ziegl027 Addict Posts: 264 Karma: 764 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Minnesota Device: Sony Touch, Kindle DXG	Misty of Chincoteague is the first "chapter" book I read all by myself. I remember I learned to read pretty young, about the time my brother (who is three years older) was learning. Spurred on by the "anything he can do, I can do better" sentiments of all little sisters everywhere.

02-15-2010, 11:26 AM	#26
TC Beacham Great Beach Reads! Posts: 202 Karma: 300000 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: Kindle 2	Can't remember a time when I wasn't a big reader - especially liked Harriet The Spy and Pippi Longstocking when I was a kid.

02-15-2010, 11:31 AM	#27
poohbear_nc Bah! Humbug! Posts: 63,492 Karma: 135239851 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Durham, NC Device: Every Kindle Ever Made & To Be Made!	It was a mixture of Robert Louis Stevenson, Lang's fairy tale books of various colored covers, and Mark Twain.

02-15-2010, 11:58 AM	#28
BenG Home Guard Posts: 4,730 Karma: 86721650 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Alpha Ralpha Boulevard Device: Kindle Oasis 3G, iPhone 6	Dr. Seuss Old Mother West Wind.

02-15-2010, 01:20 PM	#30
FlorenceArt High Priestess Posts: 5,761 Karma: 5042529 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Montreuil sous bois, France Device: iPad Pro 9.7, iPhone 6 Plus	I've been reading since long before I can remember. I remember reading lots of Enid Blyton books, and also Fantômette, a French series. Mostly I remember the collections: Bibliothèque rose (Fantômette was in that collection), Bibliothèque verte (for older children - The Famous Five were in that one I think, and the Secret Seven), and later I just loved Contes et légendes (collections of fairy tales and legends from all over the world).