C.S. Lewis
There are moments in your life, young and old where you encounter a person, event, thing that is so impactful, that it sets you on a course you might not have journeyed if you hadn't encountered that person, event or thing. Reading 'Prince Caspian' was one of those moments for me. 9 or 10 years old, I borrowed the book from the school library and my love of books and - even more, book series - was set in stone as part of my life from then on. Over the next few years I found and read all the books in the Narnia series - often out of order like the first, but over my teenage years and into adulthood I re-read them over and over - in order! And always getting more from them each time.
'Prince Caspian' was the moment I became a book series collector. Even though before that I fell in love with the 'Faraway Tree' and the 'Wishing Chair' (thank you Enid Blyton) the Narnia series began a journey that continues to this very day.
John Christopher's 'Tripods' series
'The Chalet School' series (Elinor M. Brent-Dyer)
Mollie Hunter's historical fiction
The 'Katy' series (Susan Coolidge)
'Daddy Long-Legs' and 'Dear Enemy' (Jean Webster)
Enid Blyton's 'Famous Five' (bless this woman and her contribution to children's literature)
Cynthia Voigt's 'Tillerman' series and 'Kingdom' series - wow, just... wow.
The 'Little House' series (Laura Ingalls Wilder)
Kate Seredy's 'Good Master' and 'Singing Tree'
(Even as I write, the happy memories come flooding back)
A notable exception here is 'The Lord of the Rings' and the reason for that is very simple. I remember many people recommending these books to me when I was young and it turns out I was too young. I tried 'The Hobbit', I tried 'The Lord of the Rings' and I was just not ready. They were too difficult for me, they didn't pull me in and as a result I was turned off and never read them. Thankfully Peter Jackson did his film magic with the trilogy - allowing me to access this amazing world - and I became a fan. The books now sit creased and worn - finally read and appreciated - on the bookshelf and I remember this powerful personal lesson when I recommend books to kids. You have to learn how to learn to drive, control and appreciate a simple car before you jump behind the wheel of a Ferrari!
My book collecting continued into adulthood:
Agatha Christie mysteries - but not Poirot!
Douglas Adams' 'Hitch-hikers' series became a major influence on me
Richard Bach's tales of life, love and journey - especially 'JLS' and 'Illusions'
Harlan Coben's 'Myron Bolitar' and Lee Child's 'Jack Reacher' series
Gordon Steven's thrillers
Bryce Courteney's 'Peekay' books
George G Martin's 'Game of Thrones' series - basically because of the TV show!
Sooo many more I could name
As a teacher I love buying books for kids and I've always had a strong personal library of children's books - see above - but I've kept it up with modern children's series too, not just because I want my students to read them but because I love them too:
John Marsden's 'Tomorrow' series
John Flanagan's 'Ranger's Apprentice' series
'The Hunger Games' (Suzanne Collins)
The 'Alex Rider' series (Andrew Horowitz)
Roald Dahl and JK Rowling - cause well, you just have to...
Cornelia Funke's 'Inkheart' and 'Mirrorworld' series
The 'Un-' series and the 'Paw Thing' series (Paul Jennings)
And while I'm at it, I'd better mention my go-to authors for picture books:
Kym Lardner, Alison Lester, Mem Fox, Bob Graham, Pamela Allen, David Shannon, Robert Munsch, Dr Seuss, Eric Carle, Margaret Wild
I know I've missed hundreds, but I'm just about done in!!
John Christopher's 'Tripods' series
'The Chalet School' series (Elinor M. Brent-Dyer)
Mollie Hunter's historical fiction
The 'Katy' series (Susan Coolidge)
'Daddy Long-Legs' and 'Dear Enemy' (Jean Webster)
Enid Blyton's 'Famous Five' (bless this woman and her contribution to children's literature)
Cynthia Voigt's 'Tillerman' series and 'Kingdom' series - wow, just... wow.
The 'Little House' series (Laura Ingalls Wilder)
Kate Seredy's 'Good Master' and 'Singing Tree'
(Even as I write, the happy memories come flooding back)
A notable exception here is 'The Lord of the Rings' and the reason for that is very simple. I remember many people recommending these books to me when I was young and it turns out I was too young. I tried 'The Hobbit', I tried 'The Lord of the Rings' and I was just not ready. They were too difficult for me, they didn't pull me in and as a result I was turned off and never read them. Thankfully Peter Jackson did his film magic with the trilogy - allowing me to access this amazing world - and I became a fan. The books now sit creased and worn - finally read and appreciated - on the bookshelf and I remember this powerful personal lesson when I recommend books to kids. You have to learn how to learn to drive, control and appreciate a simple car before you jump behind the wheel of a Ferrari!
My book collecting continued into adulthood:
Agatha Christie mysteries - but not Poirot!
Douglas Adams' 'Hitch-hikers' series became a major influence on me
Richard Bach's tales of life, love and journey - especially 'JLS' and 'Illusions'
Harlan Coben's 'Myron Bolitar' and Lee Child's 'Jack Reacher' series
Gordon Steven's thrillers
Bryce Courteney's 'Peekay' books
George G Martin's 'Game of Thrones' series - basically because of the TV show!
Sooo many more I could name
As a teacher I love buying books for kids and I've always had a strong personal library of children's books - see above - but I've kept it up with modern children's series too, not just because I want my students to read them but because I love them too:
John Marsden's 'Tomorrow' series
John Flanagan's 'Ranger's Apprentice' series
'The Hunger Games' (Suzanne Collins)
The 'Alex Rider' series (Andrew Horowitz)
Roald Dahl and JK Rowling - cause well, you just have to...
Cornelia Funke's 'Inkheart' and 'Mirrorworld' series
The 'Un-' series and the 'Paw Thing' series (Paul Jennings)
And while I'm at it, I'd better mention my go-to authors for picture books:
Kym Lardner, Alison Lester, Mem Fox, Bob Graham, Pamela Allen, David Shannon, Robert Munsch, Dr Seuss, Eric Carle, Margaret Wild
I know I've missed hundreds, but I'm just about done in!!