Then Last Night They Reminded Me Why I Love to Read

Last night, I began reading a new chapter book to Lila called The Pushcart War. I remember having this book read to me when I was her age. To be honest, I don’t remember the details at all, I just remember loving it.

I happened on a copy of this book while in college, found it sitting on the crowded table of  NYC bookseller on the Upper West Side. His name was Mr. Levin, a large man whose bulbous nose sported enormous pores and sat above a mustache worthy of the Mustache Hunt. He unloaded his books every day from a white van, and I would sit and listen to him talk with his big booming voice.

The Pushcart War he placed on his table had worn, ratty edges and pages of a cliché yellow all old books must have, but it was in decent enough shape for a dollar. I didn't want children at that point in my life, but I bought it to read to the children I might one day have if maybe I changed my mind.

I'm glad I did.

This book brings me to the beginning of reading.

To the days I learned that you can disappear into a book, and how one book can change your life forever.

Fast forward to fifth grade when the librarian of Pulaski Academy in Little Rock, Arkansas introduced me to Madeline L’Engle and A Wrinkle In Time.  I remember certain details but if you asked me to outline the entire plot, you’d have me at a complete loss. I do clearly remember three witchy women who could bend time, wrinkle it, so you could move between places and dimensions in seconds. Close your eyes and you’re in a new world, a fantasy, where magic exists and anything is possible in spite of the danger inherent to your adventure.

Would you trade a safe spot for the thrill and excitement? I wouldn’t.

I read all Madeline L’Engle’s books and even had the chance to hear her speak live. She talked about the nature of writing children’s books. You don’t, she said, write as if you’re writing for a child. A storyteller writes for an adult, for any audience and if you do it well, a child will adore it as much as her parents.

I think about every author I’ve read who has opened new worlds and adventures. Shakespeare and Chaucer showed the adventure of language. How just because a word is foreign, doesn’t mean it can’t be funny, raunchy and fascinating. I devoured Neal Stephenson's The Diamond Age and Virginia Woolf's A Room Of Her Own and Gabriel Garcia Marquez' Love In the Time Of Cholera.

These days, I tend not to read books anymore.

They’re too heavy to carry around in a suitcase, and between having a child, a job, editing Matador Life and figuring out how to lead this new expat life in Argentina, I’m wiped out by the end of the day. That I spend my day writing articles and reading other’s work leaves me jaded to the written word.

But as I introduce Lila to the first book I remember reading, her excitement opens me up to the possibilities of reading once more.

And as I finish writing this blog entry, I realize how all of who I am today, all I’ve done and accomplished, the choices I make, the people I love and places that call my name, all became inevitable when I held that first book in my hand.

Photos courtesy of h.koppdelaney and austinevan

Comments

[Claiborne]

What a lovely post! I, too, was a huge fan of Madeline L'Engle. I totally identify and have loved introducing my daughters to the books I loved as a child.

[Kevin Revolinski]

My second grade teacher read A Wrinkle in Time to us in installments. I remember nothing of it either, nor could I imagine we understood too much of it, but it was just more wood on the fire I had for reading. Just minutes before I sat down at the computer to work today, I finished a book. It was today's procrastination and the ending brought a tear to my eye. I don't read nearly enough like I once did. The first thing I found in my inbox was a Twitter follow and then this link. Serendipity. Some of my best memories are reading memories -- a particular book, a place I was reading it, a lucky purchase, a lover's recommendation. I am a travel writer now, a job everyone seems to envy, but all I can think is I need to write a novel. Maybe your post is more wood on that fire. Good luck with your expat adventure. My own in Turkey was the source of my first book The Yogurt Man Cometh. That second grade teacher ended up teaching at the school where my father taught and they have been friends for years. Months ago she suggested to him that she and I should work on a children's book. Wouldn't that be a harmonious turn? Thank you for this post. Now about that novel... :)

Kevin
www.TheMadTravelerOnline.com
@KevinRevolinski

[Julie]

Oh, I hope you start reading books again!

[Audrey]

Beautiful sentiments. I love when I fall book and hours will pass reading without realizing it. Since we've been still in Buenos Aires, I haven't been reading much. After spending the day writing and catching up on other websites, I'm usually too exhausted to read more (and I don't have the responsibility of being a mother!) before going to sleep. Your post reminded me to change that - I miss reading.

[Cynthia]

To this day I still love reading, especially before going to bed curling up with a good book is heaven.
Just to give you future hope- all of us women find that for the intermediate years of our life when we have children, husband, profession, studies and exams, etc reading for pleasure is difficult but as you age and your life is less full, reading again becomes possible and an immense pleasure and relaxation. I now read 3-5 books a month.

Cynthia

[Susanna a.k.a. Cheap Like Me]

What a beautiful post! I seek out that mysterious, lost feeling and so seldom find it anymore ... I think as an adult, worker, wife, mother, home owner, writer, etc., I am so busy, it's hard to take time to focus, and so I like books that are captivating and use great language, but that also are easy to read. I keep trying, trying, trying though. And it's such a pleasure to watch my daughter love to read so much, too -- at age almost-9, she reads hundreds of pages a week, loves to write, and often comments how much she loves to read. Best of all she and her friends read the same books and then play-act and expand upon them -- talk about bringing words to life!

[Candice]

Ohh Leigh, I've had such sad feelings lately about not being able to read as much as I used to...takes me a month or two to read a 300 page novel these days. Ironically as writers we're supposed to devour literature. But yeah, I miss that excitement! And new book smell. Mmm.

[Leigh Shulman]

Do you already read Madeleine L'Engle to them? I'd love to know what other books were favorites of yours that you've passed on (or plan to).

That said, pre-Lila, I totally didn't get Goodnight Moon. Thought everything about it was weird. Now, it's a favorite after reading it to Lila so.many.times.

Funny how that happens.

[Leigh Shulman]

Thanks so much for your comment, Kevin. I suppose it is kismet with all the overlap.

I'm curious to see what you end up deciding and what direction your go first. Please do come back and let us know.

I'm sure we'll also see each other on Twitter and other places.

[Leigh Shulman]

Me too. I mean, I do read, and am actually reading a great one now called Dogtown. It's by an old high school friend of mine named Elyssa East.

But I haven't had the time to just sit and read for hours in... who knows how long.

[Leigh Shulman]

I hear you, and I'm glad I wrote this post which lead to such great comments and discussion. It's left me with inspiration to read.

For me it's not only the time, but that ability to sit and read for hours. When I only have a few minutes or even half an hour, I find I read then don't get back to it for a few days, maybe a week, and I've lost continuity.

[Leigh Shulman]

First, I want to make sure everyone on here knows that this woman who commented is my mother. This is her first comment directly on my blog. Usually she just e-mails them to me or calls.

Mom, it's great to see you here!! :)

And of course, I have to point out that she is also part of a number of book groups, talks books all the time and has for as long as I can remember.

I really believe that the best way to teach a child is by example. You cannot simply say "You there, child, love books and read" and then not read yourself.

[Leigh Shulman]

I know! It's really amazing to watch someone read and write as a form of play. I can't remember the last time that was the case for me.

I still enjoy writing, and that it is also my work is really quite amazing. Isn't that exactly what we all dreamed about when figuring out what we wanted to be? And yes, I love reading, but since both are part of my day to day work-life, it's hard to find boundaries.

Maybe we should make a new type of mother's day in which moms just disappear for the day with a book.

[Leigh Shulman]

The great irony. When you're growing up and think to yourself, I want to be a writer. And you read a lot and write in a journal. Then college. Same and you dream of being a full time writer.

Then when it happens, you realize there are rules and guidelines you didn't think about.

I feel like the amount of book reading i do (or don't) is sort of my secret shame. I read endless articles and short fiction online, but I really miss really reading and writing fiction.

I was chatting recently with David Miller (http://www.miller-david.com/), Matador's senior editor about writing and particularly the nature of travel writing, particularly narrative.

It felt so good to have that conversation. Made me decide I want to get a writing group together here in Salta.

[Sabina]

I can outline the entire plot of "A Wrinkle in Time," for you, Leigh. That is my favorite childhood book on earth!

[Judy]

I never read The Pushcart War, but I remember when your friend, Rachel, read it, probably some time in Junior High. So now I think I'll try to get it for my i-reader. That's what I take on vacations, so I don't have to schlep heavy books in my suitcase, though at home I prefer the paper variety.

I did read my favorite book to Rachel in installments. That was Little Women. I always wanted her to grow up to model Jo, which I think she has in some ways. She recently told me that the one she admired most was Meg, which totally shocked me. But then, again, she did tell me once that she wanted her last job in life to be running a bed and breakfast.

I enjoyed reading your blog and will stop by from time to time to visit.

All the best

[Jami]

As a young girl, I loved to read. Then as my responsibilites grew, I put aside that love for a long time. It was only once my two children were both in school that I started reading for pleasure again. I picked up East of Eden, and I reveled in the sound of the language. And I remembered again the beauty of the words and thoughts that tell a story, and I remembered why I loved reading. Love in the Time of Cholera is one of my favorites as well, as I would find myself having to go back and re-read a paragraph just to feel the beauty of the words again. Your last paragraph in this blog made me do a re-read as well! Beautifully written, Leigh!

[marietta dui attorney]

is this real? i want to experience something different and something the same to the photo above.
Flying above the bubble? Amazing!!