A Book that Changed My Life

The book that turned me into a reader

In Watermelon Sugar by Richard Brautigan was the first book I read as a maturing person that inspired me to read more. I never enjoyed reading but this book was so "out there" that I soon gobbled up every book he had written. I had found a new world of writing existed that could keep me inspired. It was 1971.

My 10th grade teacher had a face like a bird and a personality like a porcupine. She required us to have our books pre-approved before we could read them and write a book report. I didn't do that; I just read it and wrote the report (such a rebel teenager I was!)

She gave me and 'A' with a note that said, "I would never have approved this -you did a good job on a difficult book." Guess she wasn't that bad after all....and I became a reader in her class from her encouragement.

Thanks Mrs. Whatever-Your-Name-Was.