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Reading (and Writing) in Strange Places by Jane Nickerson
“Richer than I you can never be—I had a mother who read to me.” I might have written those lines, instead of Strickland Gillilan. Even when I was old enough to read them for myself, my mother would still read me Laddie or The Hobbit. When she wasn’t reading to me, she was reading around me—she always had a book going on. And sometimes all us kids—there were five of us—would sprawl on her bed (if you were lucky enough) or on the floor beside it, in the dark, to listen to our mother tell fairytales she made up as she went along.
I read (and wrote) everywhere at an early age, but I especially liked strange spots, such as up in a tree, on top of a giant boulder, in closets, or behind the couch. The odd places lent themselves to my imagination. I could picture the pictures so much better that way.
My reading genres were eclectic because Mom turned me loose at the public library and I wandered the shelves, picking out whatever looked intriguing. I discovered the “Little House” books that way, and Ursula K. LeGuin’s Earthsea trilogy. Those are good examples of my taste, because gradually my favorite authors were those who wrote historical fiction, such as Louisa May Alcott and L.M. Montgomery, or fantasy, such as Lloyd Alexander and J.R.R. Tolkien. By the time I was in the fourth grade, I added Jane Austen’s and Georgette Heyer’s historical romances and Victoria Holt’s gothics to my favorites list. Maybe I was too young for them, but I didn’t know it. Thank goodness for YA literature nowadays!
I stopped reading kids’ books when I entered high school, but then a children’s literature class in college reminded me that those novels remained some of my favorites. Isaac Bashevis Singer wrote something called “Why I Write for Children,” which nicely sums up my feelings. It’s well worth reading, if you want to look it up.
I’ve added tons more favorites through the years. While I was a children’s librarian I read many books I wouldn’t have opened up if I hadn’t needed to know what to recommend to others, but I still prefer gothics, historical, and fantasy. I adore fairytale retellings, such as Beauty, or The Goose Girl. I adore books with beautiful words, beautiful descriptions, beautiful settings.
And that led to my writing Strands of Bronze and Gold, which allowed me to indulge in my favorite genres and to retell a macabre tale I was fascinated by as a child—“Bluebeard”—using beautiful words, beautiful descriptions, and a beautiful setting. I placed it in 1855 Mississippi because I lived in Mississippi for many years, loved it, and thought it would lend itself to the story in an interesting, unique way. Besides, I could include gorgeous antebellum fashions for my heroine, Sophie, and I’ve always wished I could wear those gowns occasionally.
I still like to read (and write) in compelling places. Luckily, from the desk in my study I can look through the window and down a steep hill at a (currently) winter wonderland, while a fire blazes on the hearth right beside me. That seems interesting enough to satisfy.
For many years Jane Nickerson and her family lived in a big old house in Aberdeen, Mississippi, where she was also the children’s librarian. She has always loved the South, “the olden days,” gothic tales, houses, kids, writing, and interesting villains. She and her husband now make their home in Ontario, Canada. You can find her online at http://jane-nickerson.com and on Twitter as @jane_nickerson.
Nerdy Book Club 
I too read in strange places. If I went missing my mother would send my sisters to our corncrib. I was usually in the rafters reading. I would often throw old quilts over the clothes line and sit under it or under the table. I think the ability to do things like that and the fact I grew up on a farm and we played imagination games is what shaped me as a reader and writer. I am afraid many of our students today are missing out on so much. Great post.
Wish I’d had a corncrib!
I hope my children grow up and can (or will!) write something as beautiful as this about their own childhood and how their natural-born literacy-immersion helped shape them into interesting, thoughtful, observant beings! Because, while I know in reality this is about you, ultimately, it feels like the kindest honor one can give to a mother.
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