Hi everyone.
I am Michael, Arlene’s son and fellow avid reader.
I first discovered my passion for reading at the age of 13 with The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. After completing my first real novel, I felt such a powerful connection to a wonderful new world that drew me in and has made me what I am today.
This is an experience that I wish everyone can share, especially children because it will change their lives in such a positive way, enhancing their perspectives on life and perhaps drag them away from our instant gratification world of electronics. There is nothing more exhilarating than being drawn in by a beautiful opening sentence and then having that book hold tight all the way through.
I cannot imagine anything else in life other than reading that is so easy to do which has such a dynamic impact on the human soul. That fact that your are here with us reading this can only mean you feel the same way so please, feel free to join us anytime and we hope you enjoy our site.
Catcher in the Rye seems to consistently be a transformative book for people, especially at the right age. Where’d you go from there, Mike? Still a Salinger fan?
You mentioned opening sentences. Got any favorites?
By the way, I love the website. My mom and I have a “book club for two” and we read a lot of good books that way. No website to go with it though. I like what you guys have done here. Keep up the good work.
Hi Tyler! My apologies for the delayed response as I have been traveling for work. I wouldn’t call myself a true Salinger fan at this point, only to say that “Catcher” entranced me at a time when no other book was able to do so. I see that it had the same effect on many others. As it turns out, I have a bit of a dark side when it comes to reading and turned quickly to Edgar Allen Poe. So much so, that I have a tattoo of a raven, much to Arlene’s dismay, in a lasting tribute to his genius and effect on my reading life.
Poe was a master of the opening sentence and I was drawn to his ability to start with an analytical thought about times past or of human nature and then expand outward from there. Two opening sentences that illustrate this come to mind. In his short story “Metzengerstein” he opens with “Horror and fatality have been stalking abroad in all ages.” This opening statement has certainly stood the test of time. In “The Spectacles” he begins with “Many years ago, it was the fashion to ridicule the idea of ‘love at first sight’; but those who think, not less than those who feel deeply, have always advocated its existence.”
I always loved how Poe analyzes and dissects human nature, history and psychology and then has the ability to weave a tale like no other. I’ll admit that since he writes from such a different time, I find myself reading and rereading his passages to I can fully understand them but when they fall into place in one’s mind, for me, nothing else compares.
Thanks again for reaching out Tyler and hope to hear from you again soon!
Mike
Hi, thanks you for sharing your thoughts and passion for reading with us. I like your website and believe that sites like this really support and encourage people to be more passionate about reading.
I wish you the best of success!
Thanks so much for the kind words and support Andrew! I hope you had a wonderful holiday season.
Mike