The Literary History of Heather

Allison talked me into doing this reading blog thing with her and I'm finally getting around to introducing myself. I'm Heather, mom of 3 and reading addict. I have loved reading pretty much as long as I can remember. In my elementary days I holed myself in a corner of my room to read and often got books confiscated during class time at school. I continued reading for pleasure throughout junior high and high school, although not as much. I took a hiatus in my college and post-college days, but picked right back up where I left off after becoming a stay-at-home-mom nearly 7 years ago.

My favorite books are, in a word, fluff. For the most part I do not enjoy it when I have to think a lot while reading. For that reason, non-fiction, even parenting books, have never been my forte. Early favorite authors and series included Beverly Cleary, Judy Blume, The Babysitters Club, and Sweet Valley High. . . all so very cliche. In high school I read teen horrors by Christopher Pike (I can't believe I read so much about teens murdering each other and came out of it not a psychopath). I also read the required The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Lord of the Flies, and To Kill a Mockingbird, all of which I enjoyed, but at that time, did not fully appreciate.

As an adult my love of fluff has continued and my favorite recent series is Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella. I have read all of her books, actually, and adore them. They are pure mindless fun reading and exactly what I need on some of my hectic mom days. I also read Jodi Picoult, but I must admit, I take her in small doses. Her books are very emotionally draining and sometimes a little too much. Of course I love the Harry Potter series and Twilight and many of the other current popular books.

I love going to the bookstore and probably have the worst method out there of choosing new books. I simply look at the paperback best sellers or promotional displays and 100% judge the books by their covers. If it looks interesting I'll pick it up and read the back, then decide from there. Sometimes I'll find an author I love and specifically look for those books. I am also somewhat of a lemming and often read books coming out as movies because I figure it must be good. I rarely, if ever, buy hardcovers. I love the feel and smell of paperbacks and despise the weight and annoying jackets of hardcovers.

One goal I have is to start reading more classics. As such an avid reader it is embarassing to admit that I have not read any Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, and most of the books on the "Top 100 Classics You Must Read Before You Die If You Ever Want to Be Remembered as a True Reader" lists all over the place. That said, my all time favorite book is Gone With the Wind. I have also read Atonement (see above reference to reading books turned into movies) and at least a few others I'm not remembering at the moment.

My love of reading sometimes conflicts with my only other hobby, knitting. Unfortunately I've found it impossible to read and knit at the same time and am not ready to break down and start the books on tape thing. Sadly there are currently no books on my bookshelf, but this blog has inspired me to do some shopping!

More fluff to come from me soon.