When I was 5 years old, I was forced to take dancing lessons while the Brother was forced to take accordion lessons. I hated dancing class. The Knights of Columbus Hall where the classes were given had no heat or it wasn't turned on. I hated wearing the pink beginner tights. I liked clacking around in the tap shoes, but Ma wouldn't let me practice inside the house on the wood floors. I spent most of my time in class being miserable and crying. Eventually, I was taken out of class.
While the Brother still had to endure accordion lessons, Dad took me to the library. He would leave me upstairs in the children's library where I could look at the books and choose to take some books home with my own library card. As I got older, I would go downstairs to the adult library and wander among the stacks enjoying the scent of the books before going to find Dad in the reference area consulting the law books and catching up on his work.
So for the next several weeks, a list of my favorite books, some I have read as a child, others as an adult and some I have read more than once.
Chapter I: Down the Rabbit-Hole
the bank, and of having nothing to do: once or twice she had
peeped into the book her sister was reading, but it had no
pictures or conversations in it, `and what is the use of a book,'
thought Alice `without pictures or conversation?'
So she was considering in her own mind (as well as she could,
for the hot day made her feel very sleepy and stupid), whether
the pleasure of making a daisy-chain would be worth the
trouble of getting up and picking the daisies, when suddenly a
White Rabbit with pink eyes ran close by her.
There was nothing so VERY remarkable in that; nor did Alice
think it so VERY much out of the way to hear the Rabbit say
to itself, `Oh dear! Oh dear! I shall be late!' (when she thought
it over afterwards, it occurred to her that she ought to have
wondered at this, but at the time it all seemed quite natural);
but when the Rabbit actually TOOK A WATCH OUT OF ITS
WAISTCOAT- POCKET, and looked at it, and then hurried
on, Alice started to her feet, for it flashed across her mind that
she had never before seen a rabbit with either a waistcoat-pocket, or a watch to take out of it, and
burning with curiosity, she ran across the field after it, and fortunately was just in time to see it pop
down a large rabbit-hole under the hedge.
In another moment down went Alice after it, never once considering how in the world she was to get
out again.
The rabbit-hole went straight on like a tunnel for some way, and then dipped suddenly down, so
suddenly that Alice had not a moment to think about stopping herself before she found herself falling
down a very deep well.
Either the well was very deep, or she fell very slowly, for she had plenty of time as she went down to
look about her and to wonder what was going to happen next. First, she tried to look down and make
out what she was coming to, but it was too dark to see anything; then she looked at the sides of the
well, and noticed that they were filled with cupboards and book-shelves; here and there she saw maps
and pictures hung upon pegs. She took down a jar from one of the shelves as she passed; it was
labelled `ORANGE MARMALADE', but to her great disappointment it was empty: she did not like to
drop the jar for fear of killing somebody, so managed to put it into one of the cupboards as she fell
past it.
If you haven't read this book, you can download it complete with the Tennial illustrations from Alice-in-Wonderland.net or you can find this book at your public library.
Alice was one of my fave books as a child. Have a great weekend, Valerie
ReplyDeleteAlice books and movies, I love them all.
DeleteThis and its sister story (Down the Looking Glass as you know) are the most clever stories. The images from the originals a lot of fun too. Truly a classic! And nice pick for this first day of spring. Happy equinox.
ReplyDeleteLooks like it will be nice weather for the first week of Spring. Enjoy!
DeleteMy dad loved reading and the library so I'm glad he picked this activity for us
ReplyDeleteI had never read about Alice until recently, when a friend was having an Alice swap. I still haven't read the complete story, but now know the gist at least. Thanks for the link. I may take time to read it if I ever catch up.
ReplyDeleteIt's a fun and easy read
DeleteI'll be watching for your list of books CJ... Interested to see if any of your favorites match mine.. If you can believe it i have never read Alice in Wonderland. I'm going to have to one day.. I like to read a classic now and then.. Hugs! deb
ReplyDeleteThere are a lot of classics I haven't read, too.
DeleteI like them too. The books and movies. (PS I like your new background paper. Happy Spring!)
ReplyDeleteNeeded to give the Cyberhome some Spring decorations😺
Deletewhat memories this brings to me.
ReplyDeleteHappy ones, I hope
DeleteSaw Alice with my Bro and Mum on our very last holiday together in 2011. I miss her. Thank you for the memory.
ReplyDeleteBitte
DeleteI never actually read this book, but I know it's quite popular.
ReplyDeleteSupposedly one of the Classics
DeleteI've always loved this one and re-read it every so often.
ReplyDeleteIt never loses its charm
DeleteA classic :)
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
And a fun one
DeleteOne story, I never got into. I should try again!
ReplyDelete