There are times when, as a librarian, I feel the symptoms of "imposter syndrome". It happened a few months ago; I was about to meet Kate DiCamillo and Chris Van Dusen, and realized I had not read a single Mercy Watson book, didn't even know they were on our library shelves! (In my defense, we have over 20,000 items in our collection, and I'm still finding new-to-me books every day.)
Lately, the Roald Dahl collection has been calling my name. I grew up reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator, but that was the extent of my experience with Dahl's work. And then the ads for the Broadway production of Matilda graced my television screen...it was time I got caught up.
This is what I'm reading this weekend. I've set aside a half-dozen other half-read books to enjoy this tale of a neglected, brilliant child who is trying to find her place in the world despite the obstacles plunked in her path by her parents, headmistress, and school bully. Just reading the descriptions of Matilda lost in a story makes me think of my own bookish childhood. My reading stamina was much greater then!
It's Monday, and I'm getting caught up on a classic. What classics are your favorites? Which ones do you feel you missed reading, and can add to your to-read pile now?
