A Shelf Without Shel

The topic for this blog is my favorite childhood book, and I'd say the challenger, diversion. Reading had such an impact on my life, and I didn't make that realization until I became older. Things such as completing a book over the Summer and writing about it the following school year, getting picked to read a paragraph or two in class (but acting like I didn't want to), and buying things at the Scholastic book fair were all moments I secretly enjoyed. So, when did it stop, and what prevents me from reading more?

If I had to guess, my book reading dwindled sometime in the military and completely stopped when I left. Being out at sea put me in a position where I could sit and read without distractions. Afterward, I had access to many forms of entertainment that diverted my attention away from books. I find myself wanting to get back into collecting and reading more these days while limiting the amount of time I spend at my pc. The question now is where to start, somewhere new? or from the beginning?

The first books I remember reading were Dr. Seuss's books. I loved books that involved poetry, puns, and wordplay, even as a child. There are a lot of books that I remember enjoying outside of that, such as "Zomo the Rabbit: A Trickster Tale From West Africa," the "Goosebumps" series, and this children's encyclopedia set I had in my room. Of all the things I remember reading, "Where the Sidewalk Ends" by Shel Silverstein has to be my favorite. I think that book, in particular, jump-started my urge to write poetry and tell stories. I may have to buy a copy, walk back down that sidewalk, and revisit some childhood memories.