I love to read. Actually, that's not quite true. I love to read. That might not even be sufficiently strong to express my delight in the written word. One of my friends (Hi Miss M!) requested that I share some of my favourite books on my blog. So . . . this one's for you, doll!
I enjoy all sorts of different genres. This particular series is what started me down the path of adventure. In fact, in view of my above description of my affection for books, it may surprise you to know that in my early years, I loathed reading. Turns out, I'm dyslexic. And one of the symptoms of my particular dyslexia (because there are loads of different types) is difficulty reading out loud. Now, think back. When you were learning to read, did you get to do it silently? NO! You had to do it out loud. It was miserably difficult for me. It wasn't that I couldn't read (because I could. Just fine, thank you) it's that something got lost between my eyes reading the words and my tongue repeating them back. (This is still the case, by the way. I really dislike reading out loud. It's occasionally reduced me to tears, though not for about 10 years, now.) However, my parents stuck with it. One of their tactics was Dad reading to me in the evenings. The theory was, I'd get hooked on the story and want to continue on my own. Fortunately (or perhaps unfortunately given the absurd number of books I've read in my life, not to mention the number of times I've reread many of them) the ploy worked. I was captivated. And thus started my love affair with books. This is the series that lit the flame: The Pridain Chronicles by Lloyd Alexander. It consists of 5 books:
The Book of Three, The Black Cauldron, The Castle of Llyr, Taran Wanderer, The High King
(In that order)
It follows a young man named Taran in his coming of age quest. I loved it. Besides, he's got a red-headed princess for a side kick who's got more fight than anyone Hollywood's ever devised. What's not to like! It vaguely follows Welsh legend (with a name like Lloyd, Welsh should not surprise anyone) same as the Lord of the Rings series. Disney did an animated version of the Black Cauldron. Don't bother finding it. It was rubbish. Which is really tragic, given how fabulous the book was! They're light reads, rather along the same reading level as the Chronicles of Narnia. But just as worthy of a read. I hope I've brought a little bit of joy into your lives.
3 comments:
Yay! I'm glad you are doing this! Thank you, thank you! I have actually thought about picking up Lloyd Alexander once or twice at the library, but was always so turned off by the Disney movie I decided against it. I will definitely go this weekend and check these out!
I am really glad you liked them, and I totally trust your opinion (seeing as we like a lot of the same books). You need to join me and my girlfriends on the website Goodreads. You basically review or recommend your favorite (or not so favorite) books, and it's fun to see what everyone else is reading. You can follow the link from both of my blogs...if you're interested that is. Thanks again! :)
Oooh. Just as soon as I get back into reading mode (i.e. as soon as my brain is flushed of pregnancy hormones), I want to pick this up. Oswaldo and I have been looking for something fun to read together in the evenings (I happen to LOVE reading aloud, thus my work in BYU's Accessibility Center, thus my meeting Stephanie, thus my meeting you. :) Anywho, this series looks like it might be a great fit. Just as soon as we finish The Hobbit...
Yeah, Heather. I know I didn't specify your name in the entry, but I was thinking about you, too. I'm sure you'll love them!
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