Chapter One -

So... since this is the beginning of my blog, it seems appropriate to begin at the beginning of my reading life.

The first books I remember are the Dick and Jane series in grade one. I remember being the only one in my class able to read multi syllable words. There are folks who would say this was the beginning of my slight tendancy to being pretentious, and they are probably right.

My first memorable solo reading experience has to be Charlotte's Web by E.B. White. It's one of those situations where I'm not sure if my memory of this is actually a memory or the story told by my mom engrained in my head.

My early childhood was spent in a simple Victorian house we rented from some family friends. When I had my own room (this changed from time to time) I had what could be called the "garret" room. It had a bright window that let in the sunshine and I had a cast iron bed frame that I spent a LOT of time sitting on reading. One day I was reading Charlotte's Web (Spoiler alert......). I got to the part where Charlotte died and started balling my eyes out. Considering my penchant for emotional reactions, this is truly shocking I know!

Anyway, the stair case from the first floor terminated right outside my bedroom door. My mom was baking bread in the kitchen which is where the stair case began, and heard my heart wrenching sobs. She came running up the stairs expecting me to have done some dire injury to myself. I was sitting up against my head board and when she came dashing in to see what was wrong I looked at her with tears running down my face and cried, "Charlotte died!"

I'm not sure what it is about this simple book that appeals to so many readers year after year. Is it the fantastical element of talking animals? The spider who can spell and is not creepy? As a major arachniphobe, that is a major element for me, I know. The loyalty between Fern and Wilbur? The agricultural element? I am sure it is a little bit of all of these elements, in varying degrees depending on the reader's personal background.

I've read this book countless times, seen the 1973 animated version, and the 2006 live action version with Dakota Fanning. It still never ceases to move me. Perhaps that is the definition of a good book in my world. Something that gives me a little something every time I read it.

Thoughts?