Books and I have had a long, loving relationship. On my third birthday, I received a book called Beth’s Happy Day. I still have that book by the way—I read it on my birthday and enjoy the nostalgia.

My mother attended an experimental school that didn’t teach phonics. She always felt behind and never learned to enjoy reading. However, she wanted her children to love books, so she worked very hard to make reading a special part of our lives.

We’d snuggle together on her bed at night and she’d read us chapter books or picture books. We had a big shelf of encyclopedias and she made countless trips to the library. She fostered a love of books and learning in all of her children and we are thankful.

She worked at the library in our tiny Iowa town and I got to go along with her for her shifts. I remember curling up against a shelf reading Nancy Drew books.

My childhood favorites were Nancy Drew, Trixie Belden, Cherry Ames, Sue Barton, and anything else I could get my hands on. I always had my nose in a book which sometimes led to trouble. My mom would say, “When I call you, put the book down and come.” I guess I meandered a bit too slowly when I tried to keep reading as I walked.

Today on My Reading Life, Malissa Chapin shares about her reading life. #ReadingCommunity #Reading #BRRC Share on X

I always snuck a book in the car for car rides, but it wasn’t long before reading made me sick and my mother would say, “Put that book down!” Sorry, Mom, but risking car sickness was worth it if my favorite heroine was in peril!

When I was fifteen, I discovered Anne of Green Gables and L. M. Montgomery’s writing enchanted me. I still adore reading an Anne book and have recently started reading through the series again. Newsflash—I enjoy them as much as an adult as I did when I was a teen.

In the late 1990s, I found Jan Karon and the Mitford series and began another love affair with a series of books. FYI, Mitford is worth re-reading too!

There was a Janette Oke, Grace Livingston Hill, and Beverly Lewis infatuation for a while.

I’ve read many authors and series and for that moment, I enjoy living in their world soaking in their story.

When I began homeschooling my oldest son, the curriculum introduced me to slow reading. Savoring words and taking time to connect with the author was foreign to this voracious reader, but I gave in—at least for our school books. I discovered that it’s possible to read many books at once, a few pages at a time, and not lose what we read previously. When I spend longer than a few days reading a book, I have time to think about what I’m reading and pay attention to the way the author uses words. I’ve discovered that reading slowly isn’t all bad.

I don’t read everything slowly—some books don’t lend themselves to slow reading and often, I just want to find out what happened! But it’s changed me from a one book at a time person into a let’s just say many books at a time reader.

I’m always searching for a new gem of a book or a classic I missed reading, but I doubt I’ll ever read all the books on my “to read” list and I’m learning to live with that fact. I’ll continue reading through my books and adding new books to the pile just like the rest of the world’s book lovers.

Meet Malissa

Malissa Chapin grew up reading books, making up stories, and vowing to publish a book before turning twelve. She’s a few years late for her goal but still devours books and makes up stories.

Malissa loves creating with words, yarn, fabric, and watercolors and lives in Wisconsin with her husband, two sons, and a crazy cat.

Connect with Malissa at her website www.malissachapin.com or on Facebook Malissa Chapin, Author