Photo courtesy of Brooke Foster
Growing up, I have many fond memories curling up with a soft blanket and a stack of new paperbacks. I was the “book sponge” that made countless trips to the local library and came back with bags overflowing with my weekly literary treasures. Even now, there is no better feeling than sitting down and immersing yourself in a good book. As I consider future careers as a junior English major, I find myself looking back to the past — more specifically, the books that turned me into the literature lover I am today.
Mary Pope Osborne’s Magic Tree House series played a crucial role in fostering my love of reading. The concept was honestly a bookworm’s dream come true. A treehouse in the quiet forest filled entirely with books? Oh, and the treehouse takes you to different moments throughout time?! Sign me up. With Osborne’s writing style and engaging dialogue, every hour I spent reading a new story flew by. It was easy to imagine I was surfing during High Tide in Hawaii or in the front row watching Jack and Annie get a case of Stage Fright on a Summer Night (hmm, maybe that’s where the interest in Shakespeare started…). The best part about this particular series had to be its nonfiction companion books, which provide young readers with fun facts on real historical issues addressed in each fictional adventure. By the time I started middle school, I was well-versed in the history of Pompeii and the significance of St. Bernards in the Alps — all thanks to Magic Tree House.
As I got older, my reading habits were bound to change. With the stresses of preparing for and starting college, it was challenging to find the time to get engaged with a new book. When a friend recommended Six of Crows in Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse universe, reading once again became a priority. I immediately fell in love with the Amsterdam-inspired city of Ketterdam and its culture. Bardugo obviously spent ample time developing her diverse characters; she delicately addresses the sensitive topics found in their traumatic backstories, alternating which third-person-limited perspective is highlighted in each chapter. Combined with engaging and believable banter, I lived, loved, and lost alongside the Crows. In my mind, I was joining my friends on an adventure of a lifetime. Sure, we’re a found family of thieves planning a heist and a jailbreak from the world’s most secure prison, but hey — it’s classified as fantasy for a reason!
Everyone has had at least one book in their lives that they just couldn’t put down. Come track us down on Instagram (@venture_litmagazine) and share yours!
Until next time, this is Brooke Foster saying “no mourners, no funerals” (or good luck during the rest of the semester!).
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Brooke Foster