"I hate reading, Grandma!"

"Do you want to hear a story when I was your age?" --> Starting point on telling MY story

How I started reading/writing

I used to make loops and scribbles and think I was writing cursive (5 yrs.)

learned actual cursive at 6 yrs old. I cried and I hated it, but I still use it to this day

First book I remember reading was "Old Hat, New Hat" by Dr. Seuss and "Desperaux"by Kate Dicamillo.

always awarded "Book Worm" Award in school

Most A.R. point throughout elementary and middle school (1st-8th grade)

Read mostly fiction novels, as well as history novels.

Learned to read "in depth" in Highschool. Went to an extremely rigorous high school. I was taught to annotate everything I read and saw (books,, newspapers, movies, plays, etc...)

Resented it at first, but it was so instilled into us, that it's hard to not annotate movies and books when watching or reading for fun.

how I felt that I was on an adventure with every book I read

Reading gave me the ability to leave this work and discover others

I used to hide in my parent's walk-in closet and read with a flashlight, so as not to be disturbed.

Last thing: "Books are the greatest weapons in the world! Arm yourself!"--Doctor. Who