N is for Narnia

I have always loved to read. I was one of those kids who would go to bed early, just to have the pleasure of reading in bed at night before falling asleep. And for those nights when I didn't manage to get some reading in, I'd sneak into my closet, turn on the light, and sit curled up with a book and a blanket hoping my parents wouldn't notice I wasn't in my bed.

The first time I saw the Mona Lisa in the Louvre at age 11, it was only in passing, as I looked up from the pages of Gone with the Wind. Scarlett O'Hara and her dimpled smile and scheming ways seemed much more intriguing than the Mona Lisa's smile.

And as we traveled throughout Europe in our little camper during my junior high years, I sat always on the bench seat in the back, tucked behind the table with a book. Didn't matter that I couldn't see out at all, I read the miles away. (Since having kids, I get ridiculously carsick--no more reading in the car for me!)

Later as high school graduation drew near, I remember driving across the country to look at colleges, sitting in the backseat of the rental car and reading my way--again--through all of the Anne of Green Gables books.

I think I associate lots of places with books.

A trip back to England for a visit in high school was all of the Bourne books by Robert Ludlum. (The movies are good, I agree. But they're nothing like the books. Go read them!)

Our first vacation after college was to Canon Beach, Oregon, and that was the trip of Generation X and Shampoo Planet by Douglas Coupland.

Murder mysteries tend to remind me of Palm Springs, and laying by the pool with my huge pregnant belly for days on end while Toben sat through meetings.

New Orleans one year was a new Harry Potter release--sitting on the plane and trying not to devour it too fast, knowing there would be hours to fill while Toben was busy working.

Clive Cussler novels and Dirk Pitt always make me think of Hilton Head--a trip with the whole family when Emma was a baby and still napping twice a day. I didn't leave the condo much--except to travel in my imagination to the Sahara, South America, and the North Pole.

So, Narnia...

Mom and Dad gave me my first set of the Chronicles of Naria when I was in second or third grade. That time, they were the ones to go on a trip. Kristen and I stayed with the Nordemans. I was young enough that I have random memories of the time at their house--the smell of Noxema, the feel of mud between my toes as we played in a big muddy pit, seeing Mom and Dad walk up to the house upon their return. The books were the surprise they brought back to me.

We read the books out loud after dinner every night. Mom and Dad would take turns reading as we sat around the table, dirty dishes forgotten, lost in a world of fauns and endless winter. Narnia became a very real place to me and I longed to step through a magic portal into another world like Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy.

We read other books together as a family, I'm sure. But the Chronicles of Narnia are what I always think of when I think about families reading together.

They were the first "real" books I read to Audrey. And thinking about them now makes me wonder if it's time for a break from American Girl books and Boxcar Children. The leaves are beginning to change here and there, winter is just around the corner, and the snow is falling in Narnia... It might just be time for another visit.

Comments

[Janine]

Ohhhhh..... I used to prop up in the back of our camper too, off to the left side so I could lean on the closet wall. Anne of Green Gables for me was our trip to Nova Scotia! (Lotsa driving from central Florida to the Canadian crossing!) We used to go t the library just before those 14 day driving extravaganzas to load up on books - we would pack the basket away so we wouldn't be tempted to get an early start! Those were GREAT days! i am glad we didn't have ipods, gameboys and movie screens! Remember sneaking your book at dinner? " No Reading At The Table!"

Thanks for the memories!! Janine

[Marla Taviano]

This just might be my all-time favorite post of yours. Yep, I definitely think it is!

[betsy]

*sigh* i want to stop working now and go read...

[Julie]

What wonderful book memories you have! The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe was the first "real" chapter book that we read to Cameron and Emma. We read it months before the movie came to theaters and they were so excited and involved in the story! We have plans to read Prince Caspian next before the 2008 movie.

[Lisa]

Joanne,
Good to see your family is doing so well. The girls have grown so much! The family pics on your site are fabulous. I hope you're doing well
(Lisa--formerly Marshall)

[Holly Smith]

We're in the midst of Voyage of the Dawn Treader right now...every night we read a chapter or two...It is quite wonderful!

A kindred spirit you are, for sure :) But I can still read in cars...not sure why.

An I am in Anne of Windy Poplars right now again :)

Off to the doctor for Sydney's cold.
Praying you have a wonderful weekend friend!! The zucchini bread was scrumptious!
Love,
holly

[Amanda Mayer]

Joanne,
Thanks for popping in my site and leaving the encouragement! I'll take all I can get!

Just a quick brows of your site... and I'm intrigued! I don't know if I can handle being a fan of both yours and Marla's blogs! (Being that time management is my current dilemma!!)LOL!

As for your 'N'... I didn't fall in love with books until college. But ever since once great professor changed that, I can't get enough. My absolute LOVE of the Narnia collection and Lewis's style has lead me into Mere Christianity. To anyone with an interest in religious philosophy (that's not off it's rocker) it's a must!

Although I will admit the timing wasn't good in starting that one, since I'm also in a Beth Moore Bible study (lots of reading)!! With all this great reading material (blogs included)... reading time is getting spread thin these days!

Anyway, lovin' your 'Alphabet', looking forward to the rest!
God Bless,
Amanda

[Lisa R=P]

Joanne,
This post is an absolute treasure. Thank you for sharing. Now I want to make a quick run to the library to check out some of these books.

I think that I am going to start the Beth Moore study on Daniel. Have you done that one and if so did you really like it?

Lisa