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I recall sitting at the kitchen table at my grandmother's house and reading a Turkish version of the Little Red Riding Hood. As I traced the strange words with my finger, my grandmother would voice the sounds the words would make. -
I was mesmerized by my grandparent's library as a child (still am), and when I began reading, my grandmother would hand me classic Turkish children's books. I remember sitting on the velvet couch and reading various books, sometimes for hours. Prior to gaining literacy, I would anticipate learning to read so I can read every book on their shelf, so my first memories of reading from their shelf are very valuable to me. -
I recall sitting at our dining room table in our house in Levittown, Pennsylvania and handwriting a poem to my grandfather that my father would personally hand to him upon his visit. I missed him significantly, most of all our hours spent analyzing his favorite poetry. I do not recall what it was about, only the picture of my silly poetry framed and placed in the very same library I fell in love with poetry and literature. -
I do not recall where I first heard of this book that made me so persistent in finding at Barnes and Nobles, however, few things can match the contentment I felt that moment. Noah, Ella, Megan, and Richie were my escape from reality, a new realm filled with magic beyond the capabilities of the real life. I read that book at the dinner table, in the car, waiting for my mom at dismissal, and elsewhere that allowed me to upkeep this escape of mine. -
Seventh grade was the year I was captivated by historical fiction. To me, it was the bridge that connected my love for literature and my passion for history. Prior to the Book Thief, I had already read numerous historical fiction, however, I do not think I was mesmerized by any as much as I was with the Book Thief. No one had the ability to make me put the novel down; in class, I would finish my work extra early as to have time to read it before next period. -
Towards the end of eight grade, I had purchased a copy of To Kill a Mockingbird, and to be very honest did not expect to like it as much as I did. It is easily one of my favorite works of fiction, and the first book that fell victim to my heavy annotations. My eight grade English teacher, Mrs.Ferraro, had mentioned that it was her favorite book, and because I admired and respected her opinion so much, I decided to read it over the summer. -
I was introduced to Orwell's other works such as "Animal Farm" in my freshman year English class. Though I was not totally blown away by it, I liked Orwell's allegorical approach and decided to read 1984. Yet another victim to my heavy annotating, 1984 became my favorite work of fiction. The storyline took me alongside Wilson, and I felt the danger in his curiosity, the guilt in defying a system meant to plunder individuality, and his persistence. -
My favorite book I have read this summer, "We Need to Talk About Kevin" was so heavily disturbing that it was also beautiful. The protagonist is very honest and raw in her reflection on motherhood and her life after she had her son Kevin, who was never an ordinary child. From examining Kevin's childhood behavior to conclude how he ended up as a psychotic school shooter to analyzing Eva's actions as a mother, this book did not fail to keep me engaged as a reader. It deserves more attention.