Reading Profile

I've been a reader for as long as I can remember. As a preschooler I surrounded myself with piles of Little Golden Books. In grade school, my favorite day was library day, but the most special days were the days my mom would take us to the public library. I would browse the paperback spinners for Anastasia books or for Noel Streatfield's Ballet Shoes - all of which I checked out over and over again. When our arms were full, my sister and rushed to the circulation desk and spilled them on the counter as quickly as possible so we could race to see who got to "the chair" first. 

But one summer - the summer between fourth and fifth grades - I read every Nancy Drew the library owned. Thus began my interest in detective fiction, an interest that has grown over the years. In high school, my dad gifted me two of Lilian Jackson Braun's Cat Who novels, all of which I eventually read - most of them dozens of times - over the next decade. During my English BA, I was thrilled to take a course on women's detective fiction, which introduced me to a dozen authors I hadn't known before - Sara Paretsky, Rita Mae Brown, and Ruth Rendell are a few that I love to this day. 

I've read all of the Decker/Lazarus novels multiple times and most of the Alex Delaware series. I adore authors from the British Isles and Scandinavia like Tana French, Stieg Larssen, and Henning Mankell.

But mysteries are not my only love. When I was in graduate school (the first time, haha) working at Waldenbooks, I dabbled in "chick lit", which I think goes by the less derogatory term "relationship fiction" now. I started with Bridget Jones, but I soon discovered Jennifer Weiner, the only author whose books I always purchase and always keep. I really appreciate the varied characters and narratives she creates as well as the humor and sensitivity in her writing. 

Another serious interest is graphic novels. A well-constructed graphic novel is such a pleasure to read, and I enjoy Alison Bechdel's work very much. Narratives can be so strengthened by the artwork, allowing for the reader to understand the story in a deeper way, and can elevate a middle grade or young adult narrative to a place that adults can enjoy and benefit as well, as in They Called Us Enemy or New Kid.

However, I have found it very difficult to read this past year. The pandemic and the political upheaval made it nearly impossible for me to concentrate on anything. I'm hoping with calmer days on the horizon and the vaccine becoming more available will allow me to get back to the books I love - and I think this course will be a good jump start.