Joelle Taylor: ‘I picked up The Weirdstone of Brisingamen in a swoon of nine-year-old despair’

Joelle Taylor's Journey Through Literature: A Lifelong Passion for Words

For Joelle Taylor, reading is an experience that transcends mere entertainment. For her, it's a journey of self-discovery and a means to connect with others who share similar passions. Her love affair with literature began at the tender age of five, when her mother introduced her to Clement C Moore's 'The Night Before Christmas', a tale that captivated her with its suspenseful narrative and sonorous rhythm.

As she grew older, Taylor's reading tastes evolved. She developed a fondness for 'The Weirdstone of Brisingamen' by Alan Garner, a book that fueled her imagination and transported her to the mystical world of Lancashire. This young author's penchant for the dark and the unknown was sealed with this iconic tale, which became an instant favorite.

However, it wasn't until Taylor attended university that she discovered the works of black female writers, whose words had a profound impact on her life. Adrienne Rich's 'The Dream of a Common Language' serves as a poignant reminder that literature can be both personal and politicized, leaving its indelible mark on our understanding of ourselves.

Taylor's journey through literature is marked by a series of epiphanies, each one revealing new dimensions to the world around her. Her introduction to T.S. Eliot's 'The Waste Land' was particularly revelatory, as she finally grasped the poet's genius and the depths of his cinematic imagery. Judy Grahn's 'Another Mother Tongue', on the other hand, exposed her to the etymological origins of queer terminology, sparking a sense of wonder and curiosity.

Yet, Taylor acknowledges that not all literary encounters are positive or transformative. Her reluctance to re-read Radclyffe Hall's 'The Well of Loneliness' stems from its harrowing portrayal of the lesbian experience, which she feels could be more sensitively introduced to younger readers.

As an adult, Taylor has continued to explore literature with a sense of wonder and curiosity. She has recently discovered Wayne Holloway-Smith's 'RABBITBOX', a forthcoming collection that promises to upend her understanding of poetry. Meanwhile, ghost stories remain a comforting favorite, providing a soothing escape into the realms of the unknown.

Throughout this journey, Taylor's passion for literature remains unwavering, driven by an insatiable desire to connect with others who share her love of words and ideas.

I feel like I'm reading about my own life in this article lol Joelle Taylor sounds like someone I'd totally geek out over in person! Her journey through literature is literally the coolest, from discovering 'The Night Before Christmas' as a kid to getting into more complex stuff later on. I love that she's all about exploring different perspectives and finding ways to connect with others who share her passions

I'm loving how Joelle Taylor's journey through literature is all about self-discovery and connection. It's so cool that she started reading at such a young age , and it's awesome that she's continued to explore new authors and genres as an adult. I mean, who doesn't love getting lost in a good book? What really stands out to me is how her reading has helped shape her understanding of the world around her - like when she discovered Adrienne Rich's work, which had such a profound impact on her life . It's great that she's being honest about some books that haven't had the same effect on her, but it just shows how personal and subjective reading can be .

I'm low-key obsessed with authors like Joelle Taylor who have been reading since they were 5 , I mean, can you even imagine what kind of mind is already consuming books that deep? And it's amazing how certain books can just transport you to another world, like Alan Garner's 'The Weirdstone' did for her . But at the same time, I feel bad for anyone who hasn't experienced that sense of wonder and discovery yet... it's like, they're missing out on so much . Anyway, I'm definitely adding Wayne Holloway-Smith to my TBR list now, thanks for the rec!

I'm not sure how many times I need to hear about someone discovering books that changed their life . Like I get it, reading is life-changing but can't we just skip the 'epiphany' part and move on?

I do love that Joelle Taylor has a diverse bookshelf though - from children's classics like 'The Night Before Christmas' to more contemporary works by queer authors. It's great to see her celebrating her own identity through literature .

But what really caught my attention is how she feels about re-reading certain books, especially those that deal with tough topics like mental health and identity issues. I think it's so important for us to be honest with ourselves (and our kids) about the complexity of life, but maybe not always in a straightforward way?

I'm so excited about Joelle Taylor's journey through literature it's like she's discovering new worlds with every book she reads! I think what I love most about her story is how she's not afraid to admit when something didn't work for her, like that one book by Radclyffe Hall. You know, sometimes it's okay to say no or skip over something just 'cause it doesn't vibe with us .

But honestly, I think we could all learn a thing or two from Joelle about the importance of exploring different perspectives and genres. Like, have you guys read Wayne Holloway-Smith's 'RABBITBOX'? I've been meaning to check it out! Maybe we can even start a book club in chat?

idk why ppl r so obsessed w/ classic lit like joelle taylor just stumbled upon it thru uni & now its her thing anyway, i think its kinda pretentious 2 focus so much on "transcending entertainment" & all that jazz...literature shd b fun n stuff too u dont wanna be stuck in ur seat likin a snob

Reading is like discovering new worlds , and I'm so glad people like Joelle are out there exploring them. I've got a soft spot for old books too - there's something about the feel of paper and ink that just can't be beat . As for what really matters, I think it's not about re-reading Radclyffe Hall but rather being open to new experiences and perspectives .

I'm so down for Joelle Taylor's journey through lit . I mean, she started reading at 5 and it's been a wild ride ever since! She's all about finding that connection with others over books, which is like, super relatable to me. I've met some of my closest friends at book clubs and online forums... there's just something about discussing the same book that brings people together . And I love how she discovered black female writers in uni – it's crazy how literature can be both personal and politicized . Now, I'm curious to check out Wayne Holloway-Smith's new collection... anyone got a rec?

Reading is like traveling through different chapters of our own lives, you never know what stories are waiting to be discovered. Joelle Taylor's love affair with literature reminds us that life is full of twists and turns, but it's how we navigate them that truly matters. I've had my fair share of favorite books, but sometimes the ones that stand out the most are the ones that make me feel seen or understood in a way that nothing else can

So I was reading about Joelle Taylor's love affair with literature and I'm like what makes her so special? Is it just that she read 'The Night Before Christmas' at 5 or is there more to it? I mean, yeah it's cool that her mom introduced her to it but what about other kids who had similar experiences? Did they become lifelong readers too?

And what about the books she loves so much after uni? Is it just because of the themes and authors she's interested in or is there something else going on here? I'm not buying the whole 'epiphany' thing without some credible sources, tbh.

I'm so inspired by Joelle Taylor's story ! I mean, can you believe she started reading at 5 and it's just been a lifelong journey of self-discovery and connection? It's amazing how books can transport us to different worlds and make us feel less alone. I've always believed that reading is like having a superpower – it can open doors to new ideas, perspectives, and friendships

I'm so over all these literary profiles that just come across as super cheesy . Like, anyone can say they're passionate about reading and writing... what's the real story here? The fact that Joelle Taylor only likes ghost stories because they're a "soothing escape" into the unknown just feels like a cop-out to me . And don't even get me started on how she's only recently discovered Wayne Holloway-Smith's poetry collection... like, what were they doing with their lives all these years?

ugh, can we get rid of those annoying 'TL;DR' sections already? they're so outdated it's like, can't we just read the whole thing without needing a 5-second summary? and another thing, why do articles have to be so long-winded? can't we just get straight to the point? like, i'm reading this about joelle taylor's love of literature and all i want is to know what she thinks about this one book or another

omg i just finished reading about joelle taylor and she sounds like my spirit animal lol i mean she discovered black female writers in uni and it changed her life i feel like im there too when it comes to queering up my bookshelf with judy grahn's 'another mother tongue' has been a game changer for me and idk about radclyffe hall tho her writing is just so hauntingly beautiful but also super triggering anyway i love how joelle talks about reading being this journey of self discovery like i know what she means it's like my favorite way to escape into another world where everything makes sense for once

omg u gotta read joelle taylor's story lol she literally started reading at 5 and now shes all about that lit life lol her faves are adrienne rich and judy grahn i need more books like those stat!! what's up with radclyffe hall tho? its a classic but idk if shes ready for that kinda stuff yet

I'm so inspired by Joelle Taylor's journey through literature ! As a parent, I can totally relate to how reading has been a game-changer for me too. There's something magical about discovering new authors and worlds that just sparks our imagination and curiosity in the kids (and let's be real, us adults too ). It's amazing that Joelle found solace in books as a kid and grew up to become a passionate advocate for literature. I love how she highlights the importance of diverse voices and perspectives - it's so important for our kids to see themselves represented in the stories they read . As a parent, I'm always on the lookout for books that will spark my own imagination and encourage my little ones to do the same!

I'm so down for Joelle Taylor's literary adventure I mean, can you believe she started reading at 5? That's even before my parents used a landline phone ! And getting into black female writers in uni is like when I discovered the Spice Girls - it was life changing . I love how her love for literature has grown and evolved, kinda like me trying to find the perfect filter on my iPhone filters

omg can we talk about how amazing it is that Joelle Taylor has been reading since she was 5 lol what a great way to spend childhood ‍ i mean, I'm sure it's not like all kids are glued to their screens or anything at the time . but seriously though, it's awesome that she's found so many authors who inspire her and make her feel seen. i'm definitely adding 'The Night Before Christmas' to my holiday reading list now ️

Another author who's really good at reading is now being recognized... but did you hear about the rise in book debt among university students? They're struggling to pay off those expensive course materials, and it's getting out of hand . Meanwhile, Joelle Taylor's love for literature might be inspiring others, but let's not forget that mental health is just as important as a good book .