As I’m writing this, a thunderstorm is bearing down. The trees are dipping and writhing in the rising wind, the sky is turning dark. And I love it! I love thunderstorms. I love the rolling, booming thunder, the violent lightning sizzling the sky. It’s exciting — raw, untamed nature at its best.
Even as a kid, I loved storms. But maybe that’s because to me, thunderstorms usually meant curling up with a book. You see, we spent summers at a lake when I was growing up. We didn’t have a television to keep us entertained, just board games, cards, and books. Lots of books. Every two weeks we drove to the nearest library and stocked up. So when the storms hit, I’d curl up in my bunk bed and read. I had my own little lamp, a safe, cozy bed — and a wonderful book to escape in.
So how about you? Do you, like me, grab a book when the rain slashes down and the thunder cracks? What early memories do you have of reading books? Was there anything specific that turned you into a reader? Any great associations you can share? Any particular book (or books) you loved as a child?
Please share!
-
I adore storms. You can feel the power in the air, the energy, the excitement. I love to stand by the window (at a safe distance of course) and watch those flashes of electricity light up the sky - they are rather magnificent.
Once I’ve had my fill, I usually love to grab a book and curl up in a comfy position and lose myself in a good book. You can’t really go anywhere, and I don’t watch much t.v., so it’s the perfect reading opportunity.
I don’t remember much about reading as a child only that I’ve always done it. In first grade, I always did way more book reports than the other kids - I drove everyone crazy LOL. I’d read the bottom of kleenex boxes in the car, the backs of cereal boxes at the table, tabloid covers in the grocery store. The book mobile was my idea of heaven. Reading is like breathing to me.
by Stacy ~
on July 25th, 2007 at 5:32 am
-
Stacy, I can totally relate! The one “rule” I let my kids break when they were growing up was the no-reading-at-the-table rule. We all read while we are eating. If I don’t have a book or newspaper to read, I’ll read ANYTHING — the cereal box, bills…
by Gail Barrett
on July 25th, 2007 at 5:39 am
-
I cant say what turned me into a reader. I used to love going to the school library. We used to go maybe once a week. I devoured Nancy Drew - everytime I got money from my grandma, it was a Nancy Drew book I would buy.
Also loved Trixie Belden, Maud Hart Lovelace and Beverly Cleary’s Beezus and Ramona books and the Clarance Day books.
I dont need an excuse to read - anytime I can find time and my eyes arent bothering me, I read.
by Pat L
on July 25th, 2007 at 6:41 am
-
Nancy Drew was probably responsible for turning a lot of us into readers, much like Harry Potter is today. Isn’t it amazing how a book (or a series of books) can affect so many lives?
by Gail Barrett
on July 25th, 2007 at 7:00 am
-
I have always loved to read. I enjoy curling up on the sofa when it rains and just getting lost in a good story. Unfortunately, I have not been able to do that much lately as we haven’t had any rain in ages…very, very dry here in Minnesota. Please send us some of your rain as we could definitely use it. Many neighborhoods have watering bans due to the lack of water and it is getting very brown in the yards as the grass goes dormant….not really pretty to see.
by Shari C
on July 25th, 2007 at 8:15 am
-
Shari - I’m in Maryland and my lawn is brown, too. It’s like walking on straw — very brittle. In fact, after I wrote this blog post, the thunderstorm moved past without dropping any rain!!!! I couldn’t believe it. I was so disappointed. I guess all the rain is going to England instead of here. And you are right, a nice drumming rain is perfect reading weather! :grin: Let’s hope we all get some soon. My books await….
by Gail Barrett
on July 25th, 2007 at 9:48 am
-
Hi Gail,
my earliest reading memory are the books byEnid Blyton and Lucy Maud Montgomery.
I love to read when it’s bad weather outside and I have no problems with thunderstorms.
by Danny
on July 25th, 2007 at 11:49 am
-
I hate storms. I read during them to escape the reality of storm. As for what turned me on to reading, it was my dad. He loves to read and I caught the bug from him. I would read anything and everything as a child and since my dad loves westerns, I read more Louis Lamour books then most men did in the 80’s. When I discovered the Sweet Valley High books I devoured them. I love romance, no matter what the weather is I will read.
by Patty L
on July 25th, 2007 at 4:26 pm
-
BTW Gail, I don’t know where you live in Maryland, but I live in St. Mary’s County and we have not had any rain in three weeks. Not even a sprinkle. I would love a good thunderstorm to give our grass some relief.
by Patty L
on July 25th, 2007 at 4:27 pm
-
I just love reading Stephen King novels when it storms. I’ve always read his books since I was 12. I like reading any type of suspense when it’s yucky outside. Like Patty L, I too remember reading the Sweet Valley High books when I was young and just loved them. I also remember reading the Little House on the Prairie books.
by Janet
on July 25th, 2007 at 5:56 pm
-
Patty, I’m out in western Maryland and it is dry, dry, dry. We had 60% chance of rain forecast for today — and didn’t get a drop. By the way, my husband was a big Louis Lamour fan. He grew up in Montana, so I guess that makes sense. 
Janet — you are brave reading Stephen King during a storm. I can’t read scary stuff like that even without the storm. I would never sleep again!
And Danny, I haven’t read Enid Blyton but I’ve heard of that author from other people. There are so many good books out there. I’m proud that both of my boys were (are)excellent readers. It is a family legacy I was really pleased to pass on. Thank goodness there are so many great children’s books to choose from.
by Gail Barrett
on July 25th, 2007 at 6:43 pm
-
I love storms too. I remember how shocked I was when I visited some of my cousins and the mother had us all huddled on the steps during a storm. I thought they were all crazy lol. Reading has always been an escape for me. It also let’s me go to places in my mind that I could never get to otherwise. I too started out with Trixie Beldon lol (showing my age on this one). I love when our electricity goes out because it gets me away from TV and computers and a total excuse to get out the candles or a lantern and read.
by catslady
on July 25th, 2007 at 7:10 pm
-
I love reading during rain and thunderstorms. One of my favorite things to read is historical fiction. I love books that make me laugh, especially during storms. :)While not historically the most accurate, the books by Cindy Holbrook are guaranteed to make you smile, giggle, or laugh so hard you cry.
Hope you get the rain you need.
by Melody
on July 25th, 2007 at 7:11 pm
-
Catslady — I know what you mean. When I was teaching full time, I was always shocked at how many students (usually girls) were afraid of thunderstorms. Actually terrified — and these were teenagers! I mean, I have a healthy respect for lightning and would never go out in it, but thunder? These girls would shake and cry when they heard thunder. And having no electricity is kind of cool if you don’t have to worry about the food spoiling in the freezer, not having heat (or a/c), etc.
And Melody — I’ll have to check out Cindy Holbrook’s books. Thanks for the tip!
by Gail Barrett
on July 26th, 2007 at 4:36 am
