Where did my love for reading originate?
Well, I can’t really remember a time that I didn’t like to read for pleasure. Even as a very small child, I enjoyed bedtime stories and I always wanted my mom to read “just one more.” I grew up in a family of educators, so books were always available. My first favorite book was Chicka Chick Boom Boom, a colorful book about the alphabet. During elementary school, Dr. Seuss, The Berenstain Bears, and Amelia Bedelia books were memorable series as a child. The books kept me entertained and opened my imagination. By middle school, the Wayside School Series by Louis Sachar kept my attention. I have always enjoyed the escape that books provide and the ability to let my imagination run wild. The feeling of contentment after finishing a good book, had always been satisfying.
Not to mention book fairs. I equate elementary school book fair to my addiction to Amazon now. I don’t think many people felt the same excitement for book fairs as I did. Scholastic Book Fairs were a way to touch, feel, and smell all of the books advertised in the monthly catalog that they published.
One memory that comes to mind was summer reading programs at the public library. Every summer, my parents would sign me up to participate in this program to encourage my love books. Throughout the activity, participants would be rewarded for reading and had activities surrounded by featured books during the program. I participated every summer until I was too old to participate. At that point, I began to volunteer to help with the program.
In high school, is when I began reading fiction and romance. My tastes changed and as I matured, I enjoyed learning about more realistic situations. My high school library had different options that were new to me. That was when I was introduced to the pioneers: Terry McMillian, Donna Hill, Rochelle Alers, and the Bet Arabesque Romance books.
During my reading journey, I have gained an appreciation for writing. I now realize how much time and effort that goes into a successful manuscript. It is my goal to provide the best work possible for all of my readers and future readers. Just keep reading,
Hart: Signed, Sealed, Delivered coming September 4, 2020
