As an adult, it’s been a constant source of frustration to me that there are huge gaps in my knowledge when it comes to literature that other people of my generation have read - either through school, or because they were popular at the time, or because they’re regarded as “classics”*
But it wasn’t like I didn’t read as a kid. I read A LOT. But the funny thing was, I was really specific about what I read.
For example, Jaws by Peter Benchley. I read that as an 11-12 year old and loved it. And then I read it 6 times in a row. Did I read anything else of his? Of course not. Wasn’t interested.
Or the Point Horror series (because I’m too old for Goosebumps!). I absolutely devoured them, but only the ones by R.L.Stein. Why? Because I read one of his first. That’s literally it.
Anyone else had this relationship with books as a kid?
*don’t worry, I know this is often more to do with matters of capitalism/patriarchy/colonialism than quality.
I fully agree. I was an avid reader at a young age. It makes me ill when my children’s teachers assign books based on some level they believe a child should be reading these days. The first book of substance I read was The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank. I was eight, and it was for a book report. My teacher was hesitant, but I was insistent. My mother was skeptical, but I did not care. I aced my report. My mother let me read anything I wanted from that point on, and I never chose a book assigned by teachers again. Children aren’t given a chance to explore books that might interest them anymore. Perhaps that’s why so many don’t even have an interest in trying to read great books.