My relationship with books

As far back as I can remember, reading has been a way for me to escape my real world. Now, while I wouldn't say that my childhood was the worst, it definitely wasn't the best. I often found myself cuddled up near a heating vent (ya girl is anemic AF) with a book in my hands, drowning out the noise around me. My actual love for reading was spawned by my 5th-grade teacher, Ms. Taylor. She was one of those teachers whom everyone was anticipating; we couldn't wait to be in her class. Funny thing is, her family lived in our neighborhood, and we lived just a few blocks away from my elementary school. We didn't live in the safest part of town, but we made it work. When I was finally her student, I was so excited, and here is where my love for reading and writing flourished. I remember her making us watch the Marva Collins story. Marva Collins was a Teacher from Chicago. She created a private school in Chicago called Westside Prep and developed her own unique teaching method, which boasted much success. There was a particular portion of this story that stuck with me; she'd have her students learn and recite a creed every single day, something like an affirmation that I still remember almost 30 years later. Ms. Taylor used to read to us on Fridays. I recall in particular her reading Coming of Age in Mississippi by Anne Moody, that book sparked something in my reading journey, and I NEVER looked back. In Middle school, we were given books like Super Fudge, but that is also where my romance obsession began when an assistant teacher (covertly) handed us "Fly Girl" by Omar Tyree and "The Coldest Winter Ever" by Sister Souljah. My Aunt Ann, who recently passed away, used to read Mary Monroe, and I'd sneak and read those. When I was just a freshman in High School, I was browsing my cousin Vanessa's bookshelf, and came across an author by the name of Eric Jerome Dickey. The book was called "Cheaters." I think at that very moment, I fell in love with the artistry. I began checking out his books at the library as much as I could, and I'd stay up late reading. I've since read (almost) every book in his extensive catalog. Have you ever fallen in love with someone's mind? I think that's what happened the moment I finished reading Cheaters. When that man passed away, I cried like I knew him personally, and in a way, I did. His art was a part of me, and it saddened me that the last book he wrote would be the last book he ever wrote. I've seriously never read it, not that I don't want to read it, but I know that once I do, that's it! Reading has always been a lifeline for me; it recharges me in a way that nothing ever has, and it gives me so much joy to complete a book. Authors like Love Belvin, Rae Lyse, Grey Huffington Christina C. Jones and so many more have written stories that have literally touched my heart. And I can say that I've fallen in love with their minds, and I hope that they never fall out of love with the artistry. Until next time......

See you in the next chapter-Ashleybreading