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Joelle Taylor's Reading List: A Journey Through Childhood Despair and Literary Lifesaver
At five years old, Joelle Taylor was introduced to Clement C Moore's "The Night Before Christmas", a blue book that set the tone for her love of reading. However, it was Alan Garner's "The Weirdstone of Brisingamen" that truly captured her imagination, fueling hours spent in the Bacup library, immersing herself in the dark and exciting world of ancient magic.
Taylor's discovery of this classic tale marked a pivotal moment in her childhood. The story's eerie landscapes, drawn from local landmarks, resonated deeply with her. This experience set the stage for her future love of literature, as she sought out books that would challenge and inspire her.
As a teenager, Taylor's reading list expanded to include works by black female writers, which had a profound impact on her writing style. Ntozake Shange's "For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow Is Enuf" was a particular influence, its fusion of narrative, poetry, and choreography leaving a lasting impression.
Taylor credits a number of authors with changing her perspective and sparking her passion for writing. Adrienne Rich's "The Dream of a Common Language" showed her the power of language, while TS Eliot's "The Waste Land" revealed the immediacy and expansiveness of cinematic imagery. Judy Grahn's "Another Mother Tongue" sparked her interest in etymology and queer culture.
However, not all books have had such a positive impact on Taylor. Radclyffe Hall's "The Well of Loneliness" is a classic lesbian text that she still finds harrowing, while Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird" was a later discovery that has brought her joy.
As for comfort reading, Taylor turns to ghost stories, drawn particularly to the English tradition. These tales offer a sense of myth and history, drawing her into their eerie worlds.
Taylor's reading list is a testament to the power of literature in shaping our perspectives and passions. From childhood despair to literary lifesavers, her journey through books has been nothing short of transformative.
At five years old, Joelle Taylor was introduced to Clement C Moore's "The Night Before Christmas", a blue book that set the tone for her love of reading. However, it was Alan Garner's "The Weirdstone of Brisingamen" that truly captured her imagination, fueling hours spent in the Bacup library, immersing herself in the dark and exciting world of ancient magic.
Taylor's discovery of this classic tale marked a pivotal moment in her childhood. The story's eerie landscapes, drawn from local landmarks, resonated deeply with her. This experience set the stage for her future love of literature, as she sought out books that would challenge and inspire her.
As a teenager, Taylor's reading list expanded to include works by black female writers, which had a profound impact on her writing style. Ntozake Shange's "For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow Is Enuf" was a particular influence, its fusion of narrative, poetry, and choreography leaving a lasting impression.
Taylor credits a number of authors with changing her perspective and sparking her passion for writing. Adrienne Rich's "The Dream of a Common Language" showed her the power of language, while TS Eliot's "The Waste Land" revealed the immediacy and expansiveness of cinematic imagery. Judy Grahn's "Another Mother Tongue" sparked her interest in etymology and queer culture.
However, not all books have had such a positive impact on Taylor. Radclyffe Hall's "The Well of Loneliness" is a classic lesbian text that she still finds harrowing, while Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird" was a later discovery that has brought her joy.
As for comfort reading, Taylor turns to ghost stories, drawn particularly to the English tradition. These tales offer a sense of myth and history, drawing her into their eerie worlds.
Taylor's reading list is a testament to the power of literature in shaping our perspectives and passions. From childhood despair to literary lifesavers, her journey through books has been nothing short of transformative.