Follow Friday and Book Blogger Hop (62411)

 "When did you realize reading was your passion and a truly important part of your life?"


Okay, wow. Excuse the poor pun, but I really "hopped" into this meme at the right time.

Reading has, quite literally, been a lifelong love affair for me. I've been reading on my own since I was three years old, and due to being home-schooled, my family has always encouraged me towards it, to the point that when I was in fourth grade, I was already on a 11th grade reading level.

The library has always been like my second home. I know which shelves to browse first for a new favorite, and I'm probably the only patron who has to be policed by her younger sister into leaving a few books behind - very reluctantly.

With the affection that I hold for reading, it's a bit surprising - even to me - that I only just realized that I would be able to transmit this love into a career in Library Science. It's pretty much the only way I can think of at this point, besides my goal to become a YA author, to make my passion an official part of my life - and give my dad a proper excuse for why every solid surface of my room is choked with books.

Q. In light of the Summer Solstice - also known as Midsummer - let's talk about fairies. What is your favorite fairy tale or story that revolves around the fae?

Oh, boy. Fairies. Let's see...My favorite childhood story, quite literally the one that started it all, would be The Fairy Rebel by Lynne Reid Banks - you know, of The Indian in the Cupboard fame? I used to read that book over and over in elementary school, and think how cool it was if there were little faeries living in my backyard.

Of course, there's also William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, which I adore (well, I just love Shakespeare's plays in general, so no surprise there). I am loving the influx of books centered around the idea of Puck, who is the ultimate fairy bad-boy to me.