unlocking the novel
a guide to modernism and postmodernism

Reader's autobiography: Leigh-Anne Mauk

Reading for me is not only a favorite pastime, but also an obsession. I began reading at a very young age; starting out with a variety of children's books whose names unfortunately I've forgotten. I moved on to such things as the Serendipity book series, and later on to young adult fiction like The Babysitters Club or the Saddle Club. From there, I ripped through Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys and found my love of sci-fi fantasy in a young adult novel called The Oval Amulet. With that single work, my love of worlds vastly different from my own was born and I found the escape I had always sought. 

At that point, I began delving deep into the worlds of sci-fi fantasy, discovering a whole range of authors from Mercedes Lackey (my favorite) to Marion Zimmer Bradley and Piers Anthony. A whole slough of authors followed from a variety of different genres, though I’ll admit that I tended to shy away from more classical authors until recently. 

Of late, I’ve found an interest in many modern and postmodern works and will be adding names like Tim O’Brien, Michael Cunningham, and Toni Morrison to my list of authors whom everyone should read at least once. My love of the written word continues to grow as I keep discovering more and more works that I simply have to read. 

As my appreciation of the written word increases, so does my library, but sadly, not my paycheck. If it’s a choice between food or a new book, it’s sad that I will have to stop and think before I answer. On more than one occasion, I’ll admit that I have chosen book. After all, I can always eat tomorrow.