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.)

Comments

[velvetwhip.livejournal.com]

I have read about the Likens case. It was horrific.


Gabrielle

[secondmezzanine.livejournal.com]

Oh man, the story of Sylvia Likens is creepy but I'll bet the read is fascinating.

I enjoyed Remember Me?-- not my favorite Sophie Kinsella, though. When you do read it, let's discuss. :)

I really liked your letter to your parents. I think both those positive and negative things are so necessary to really describe a relationship between parents and kids. Also, does anyone besides your parents call you Annie? It's cute!

[snogged.livejournal.com]

I read an account of it online awhile back.
sionnach_ayame sent me this particular book as a Christmas gift.

[snogged.livejournal.com]

I remember you sharing the link to the True Crime story and I read it in about a day.

Will do.

And I'm glad you liked the letter. I wanted certain things to come across in it. The only people who call me Annie are my family and my extended family because they all had difficulty adjusting to my decision to be called Ann.

[shakensilence.livejournal.com]

I think the letter to your parents was really thoughtful and it got out both the good and bad without putting either of your parents down for anything.

I have no idea what to tell you about which book to read next. The only one I know anything about is the Likens story. So I have no advice to give.

[idioticonion.livejournal.com]

I liked the letter to your parents too. Very reflective. :-)

Ewww, I coudldn't read any more about poor Sylvia. It was hard enough reading that true crime story website!

[snogged.livejournal.com]

My parents really tried and that's what I think counts.

No worries. I'm sure I can figure it out.

[snogged.livejournal.com]

It was hard to read that website. But afterward, I did throw the book onto my wish list out of curiosity's sake and a friend sent it to me for Christmas this year.

[secondmezzanine.livejournal.com]

When did that situation come about? Do you mind if I ask why? I just enjoy knowing the history of peoples names.

[snogged.livejournal.com]

Well, I was born Ann, but for the first 18 years of my life, I went by Annie. When I got to college, I decided I wanted to "grow up" so I shed the nickname and I went by Ann.

Problem was...everyone in my family refuses to honor that. Though Mary (my sister) calls me Punkarella, which I like quite a bit.

[secondmezzanine.livejournal.com]

Oh, I see! Annie is adorable, but I can absolutely understand wanting to take charge of your own name. :)

[rocker-vamp.livejournal.com]

I actually have Please Stop Laughing At Me by Jodee Blanco, but I have yet read it. My grandmother gave it to me in high school. LOL.

[snogged.livejournal.com]

Perhaps this is the year we both will read it then.

[rocker-vamp.livejournal.com]

Perhaps.