My Reading Journey (Joshua)

"And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don't believe in magic will never find it."
- Roald Dahl

I was 18 when I came across this wonderful quote by Roald Dahl and ever since then, I've never stopped looking at the world with glittering eyes and I still believe that there is magic in this world, it just comes in different forms. Literature is one such form, allowing me to escape the realities of this world and seek comfort in another (not that this world is really dreadful mind you). Roald Dahl has always played a big influence on my life. I've read almost all his books for children when I was young, but I especially loved Matilda, The Magic Finger and James and the Giant Peach. I remember being amazed and yet terrified of the magical elements in those books, being scared that someone would turn me into a bird or that giant insects would knock on my door. Still, the fantastic elements thrilled me and I spent my childhood reading books from Enid Blyton, Dr. Seuss and the Barbar series. They introduced me to the adorable world of Anthropomorphic animals and till this day, Peter Rabbit, Paddington Bear and Winnie the Pooh (and Piglet and Tigger and Eeyore and Kanga and Rabbit and Owl too!) are characters I really admire and relate with.

In primary school, I was introduced to three books that really changed my life, The Little Prince, Alice In Wonderland and The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. These were books that my mother gave to me and I'm immensely grateful that she did. I discover other worlds (and planets) that are clearly separate from ours and I spent hours and hours imagining I'm off on an adventure and discovering other worlds too! Soon I found the wardrobe that led to Narnia and left the shire for Mordor, among the many other worlds I immersed myself in.

Secondary school marked a new phase in my life as I started to read what many would call "serious" Literature. However, while such books are entertaining or interesting, they never really left a defining impression on my life. The first book that left such an impression on me during secondary school would be Red Sky in the Morning, my Secondary 1 Literature text and that made me discover that besides bringing me to far away places, Literature has the power to touch me so very deeply. I remember being moved immensely and bawling my eyes out when I got to the end of the novel. I also fell in love when I was in secondary school and my girlfriend (at that time) introduced me to Nicholas Sparks. Back then I was so impressed by him and bought every one of his books. I remember loving The Notebook and A Walk to Remember (though I find them extremely cheesy now). It was through his books that, corny as it may seem, I learnt how to love. I was also introduced to my first Shakespeare play in secondary school, Twelfth Night, and ever since then, I've been hooked on theater and the stage. I really love how dramatic irony is employed in the play and the numerous possibilities that the theater offers. The last book that really shaped my life in secondary school would be Les Miserables. I've read all 1300 plus pages of it and I still re-read it occasionally as it is quite possibly my favourite novel of all time. Aside from the human intrigue, political drama and romance in it, I was and am still fascinated with the moral complexity of the novel, which is especially embodied in the character of Inspector Javert. Portrayed as the antagonist, he is actually just a police inspector upholding the law, yet his inability to show mercy is what perhaps make us see him as an evil person. This is what makes the novel so compelling and it makes me constantly question myself on my views on morality.

In University, I found myself reading a lot of comics strip, especially Peanuts. I probably did so because of a lack of time and it was an easy way to destress. I really love Peanuts. It offers up many different commentaries ranging from race, religion and gender while providing words of wisdom.

There are so many characters to love in the comic strip. Charlie Brown is such a lovable loser and reading about his antics always cheered me up and made me few better about myself. Lucy Van Pelt is so bossy and sassy that I am always inspired to be like her!

Last but not least, university really ignited my passion for children's literature, especially fairy tales. I've always loved Disney and reading about fairy tales, re-discovering stories that I grew up with and getting to see how the original ones by the Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Anderson are actually so different from the "sweet" versions I was told as a child really fascinates me.  But what really excites me the most is the oral storytelling tradition of it all. I go around reciting fairy tales (and The Jabberwocky, not really a fairy tale but it's my favourite poem!) to the children I babysit on a regular basis and it is always so enjoyable watching them listen to me with rapturous excitement and amazement. Truly the art of storytelling is such a magical thing.