Burn, baby, burn!!

I am gearing up to teach Fahrenheit 451, and this if-you-never-read-it-but-always-wondered-what-it-was-about-GO-READ-IT-NOW cultural landmark of a novel always makes me think about how much books mean to me. So, in celebration of my Right to Read (ah, Cpt. Beatty--how I understand thee), I feel now is an appropriate time to talk about books I have loved and the sweet, sweet times we've had together (even if they didn't call me in the morning). I chose something from my past, and something that recently reminded me of the power of literature:

1. The Little House on the Prairie Series: These are the books that made me love reading. I think I read each one five or six times each, within a couple years' time. I loved Laura, her Pa, Ma, and sisters. I loved Jack, their little terrier who faithfully followed them across the prairie. I loved the idea of living in a dugout, and thanks to my favorite pioneer family, I still remember how to turn Maple syrup into candy using nothing but snow. Ah, the Ingalls...
2. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian by Sherman Alexie: This book somehow made me laugh and cry at the same time (really, I am not exaggerating). The book is partly autobiographical, and purely delightful. Alexie takes an unflinching look at 'the rez', and does not try to paint Native Americans, ahem, Indians, in any light other than the one he can shed on those nearest and dearest to him. There is tragedy, joy, and a basketball game that will wound you in the scarred place we all carry around from the trauma and triumph of high school.

God, I love books.

Lisa 'bookworm' C