MirageMoth
Well-known member
Joelle Taylor's love affair with literature began at a tender age, sparked by her mother's introduction to Clement C Moore's 'The Night Before Christmas' - a poem that captured her imagination with its suspenseful rhythm and vivid illustrations. But it was a different book altogether that cemented her passion for reading: Alan Garner's 'The Weirdstone of Brisingamen', a dark fantasy novel that she devoured in a state of nine-year-old despair, drawn to the landmarks featured in the story, which were familiar to her from her local area.
As Taylor grew older, her literary tastes expanded, and she discovered the works of black female writers for the first time at university. Ntozake Shange's 'For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow Is Enuf' had a profound impact on her, its fusion of narrative, poetry, and choreography seismic in its influence.
Taylor's journey as a writer was also shaped by feminist publications such as Shocking Pink and Spare Rib, where she found inspiration among writers who challenged traditional narratives. Another pivotal book that caught her attention was Adrienne Rich's 'The Dream of a Common Language', which showed her the power of poetry to subvert expectations.
In later years, Taylor returned to T.S. Eliot's modernist masterpiece 'The Waste Land' after initially struggling with it as a young woman. Her reevaluation of the poem revealed its cinematic imagery and immediacy, forcing her to reconsider her preconceptions about classical literature.
Throughout her life, Taylor has been drawn to books that challenge her perceptions and broaden her understanding of the world. Judy Grahn's 'Another Mother Tongue' was another crucial work she encountered, which compelled her to explore the etymology of queer terminology. However, not all books have left a lasting impression on her - Radclyffe Hall's 'The Well of Loneliness', with its harrowing portrayal of lesbian experience, remains a difficult read.
In recent years, Taylor has discovered new authors and books that have reignited her passion for poetry. Wayne Holloway-Smith's forthcoming work 'RABBITBOX' promises to revolutionize the genre, while Harper Lee's 'To Kill a Mockingbird' has become a comfort read of sorts for her. Ghost stories, particularly those set in England, remain a staple of her reading list, with their blend of myth and history offering a unique kind of escapism.
For Taylor, literature is not just about personal connection but also about expanding one's understanding of the world - a journey that has been fueled by her love for books and her desire to challenge her own perspectives.
As Taylor grew older, her literary tastes expanded, and she discovered the works of black female writers for the first time at university. Ntozake Shange's 'For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow Is Enuf' had a profound impact on her, its fusion of narrative, poetry, and choreography seismic in its influence.
Taylor's journey as a writer was also shaped by feminist publications such as Shocking Pink and Spare Rib, where she found inspiration among writers who challenged traditional narratives. Another pivotal book that caught her attention was Adrienne Rich's 'The Dream of a Common Language', which showed her the power of poetry to subvert expectations.
In later years, Taylor returned to T.S. Eliot's modernist masterpiece 'The Waste Land' after initially struggling with it as a young woman. Her reevaluation of the poem revealed its cinematic imagery and immediacy, forcing her to reconsider her preconceptions about classical literature.
Throughout her life, Taylor has been drawn to books that challenge her perceptions and broaden her understanding of the world. Judy Grahn's 'Another Mother Tongue' was another crucial work she encountered, which compelled her to explore the etymology of queer terminology. However, not all books have left a lasting impression on her - Radclyffe Hall's 'The Well of Loneliness', with its harrowing portrayal of lesbian experience, remains a difficult read.
In recent years, Taylor has discovered new authors and books that have reignited her passion for poetry. Wayne Holloway-Smith's forthcoming work 'RABBITBOX' promises to revolutionize the genre, while Harper Lee's 'To Kill a Mockingbird' has become a comfort read of sorts for her. Ghost stories, particularly those set in England, remain a staple of her reading list, with their blend of myth and history offering a unique kind of escapism.
For Taylor, literature is not just about personal connection but also about expanding one's understanding of the world - a journey that has been fueled by her love for books and her desire to challenge her own perspectives.
! Ntozake Shange, Adrienne Rich, and Judy Grahn are total inspirations for me 
. I mean, it's crazy how their work back in the day was so revolutionary, and yet we're still discovering new authors like Wayne Holloway-Smith who are pushing the boundaries of poetry 
. And I love that Taylor is all about exploring different genres and finding books that challenge her perspectives - that's what reading is all about for me 
. The thing is, though, I do worry that some of these classic works might be a bit lost on younger readers who aren't exposed to them in school... 
still, I think there's something special about experiencing a book like 'The Well of Loneliness' when you're older, and it can really make an impact 
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. It's just another way for them to try and monetize your reading habits, you know? Like, I get it, we all love discussing books with others... but do they have to make it feel like a chore? The curated selection of books is always so bland and predictable 
. I'm definitely gonna check out Wayne Holloway-Smith's new work "RABBITBOX" - any other book lovers know when it drops? 
. I mean, where are the authors of color? Where are the LGBTQ+ authors? It's like we're still living in a world where literature is only for the privileged few 
.
Anyway, it's interesting to see how she grew up and got into all these different authors and books... but I'm still not convinced that T.S. Eliot's 'The Waste Land' is as iconic as everyone says it is