Day 3: My Parents and Books To Read

[snogged]

I realize I could write you both individual letters, but I feel like taking the group approach and I'll just single you out when necessary.

It's easy to say that you taught me a lot. You taught me to appreciate literature and encouraged me in my reading endeavors. You taught me how to appreciate theater and supported me when I got the opportunity to grace the stage (even when I was just a chorus girl or an Amazon soldier.) You taught me that it's okay to love Halloween and haunted houses while simultaneously avoiding horror films (that honor goes mostly to you, Dad.) You taught me to hold my ground and be as stubborn as a mule - which occasionally backfired when the screaming matches started....

You also taught me doubt, shame, guilt, and pressure. You could incorporate these things so subtly into any conversation -yes, Mom, this was mostly you- without me even noticing it until I was faced with a crisis and didn't know how to handle it. You taught me to hide secrets and so for years of my teenage life...I lied to you because I didn't want you to know that I wasn't always the perfect girl you wanted me to be.

Now that I'm 25, I think things are improving between us. Mom listens more and I trust her with more. Dad still gets me like he always has, but in turn, treats me more like an adult.

I know there's more I could say to both of you, but I'm not sure those details are important right now. I've said what I needed to say tonight.

Love always,
Annie


Next on the list is my to-read list for 2011 (well, the start of it anyways. There will be more besides this, otherwise I'd never reach my goal.)

I'm too lazy to make a poll, but feel free to chime in about which book should be my next priority.



House of Evil: The Indiana Torture Slaying by John Dean. (Story of Sylvia Likens.)

The Best of Roald Dahl

The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Six More by Roald Dahl.

Please Stop Laughing At Me by Jodee Blanco

Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella

A Practical Handbook for the Boyfriend: For Every Guy Who Wants to Be One, For Every Girl Who Wants to Build One by Felicity Huffman and Patricia Wolff (given to me by a friend. I never would have bought it otherwise.)