My mother discovered I could read at the age of 3. WHEN I actually started reading, I don't know. I didn't know non-picture words such as: the, and, or, of... She made flash cards and had me memorize them. When I went through all the cards without a miss, she dumped them in the trash bin, handed me a book and said, "Don't ever ask me to read "Princess and the Pea" again!" I have been reading ever since.
Books and magazines were discouraged in my home, as reading was just for learning. So, I snuck books in when I got an allowance. My mother would find them in my room and throw them out. I discovered the library. She would nag me to return them by the due date, but could do nothing about it. The rest of my family believed that 'if you have time to read, you could actually be doing something worthwhile.'
Finally, as a senior, I live alone in a one-room apartment. It is, neatly, filled with books and CDs. (I watch little TV and have no cable.) I like to cross-stitch and listen to a book on tape as well. I do two Bible readings, 3 devotional readings, a meditation, a prayer list and regular prayer time every day.
I wrote my first story in 4th grade. It was a mystery inspired by a story from our 4th grade reader. It was not an assignment. The nun was surprised and thought it was very good. English remained my best subject throughout school. I would have done better, but my dyslexia and A.D.D. were not diagnosed until I was in my 40s.
I loved mysteries, but discovered fantasy in 1978 with the release of the 'Star Wars' movie. I, immediately, read the book! Just recently, I have developed an interest in biographies due to the fact that my favourite people are now my age and writing them! And I have an extreme fondness for YA, as the stories are well-told without gratuitous sex and gore. Still, in all, I do love a good mystery.