A History of Reading: pp. 3-123

     The first chapter of Alberto Manguel's A History of Reading portrays different types of people from different time periods reading.  I found it interesting that some of the portraits were in the same pose, resting their chin in one hand while the other turned the page.  That's how I usually read.  This was one of the many examples that demonstrated how readers are alike, no matter what era or region they're from.  "All these are readers, and their gestures, their craft, the pleasure, responsibility and power they derive from reading, are common with mine.  I am not alone" (5).

     The chapter titled "Learning to Read" was interesting because I learned how to read in a very disciplined way.  I knew Korean before I knew English, so my mother feared I would never learn how to read and write properly; therefore, she taught me at an early age.  When I turned four years old, I knew what sound each letter in the alphabet made and how to write them capital and lowercase, and I knew how to write my name, my address, and my parents' names.  If I ever made a mistake, I was usually yelled at and told I will remain illiterate if I didn't learn it then.  Whether she had to use fear or not, my mother motivated me to learn how to read as many words as possible; I had a very impressive vocabulary for a four year old.

     Being eager to learn new words is what brought out my passion for books.  I always received books as gifts on Christmas and on my birthday.  My older sister and I would take turns reading to each other.  If I did not know how to pronounce a word or what a word meant, my sister was always there to inform me.  I was read to on a daily basis by my sister.