Books

I was commenting on a post about beloved childhood books and I realised, not for the first time, that I stumbled upon some really good lit when I was a kid.

The novels I read, which could easily be placed in the adult section, were gritty, realistic and often dealt with difficult social issues.  A recurring theme I encountered (I swear I did not look for it!) was sexuality, namely homosexuality.  It's rather poignant upon retrospection....  ;)

Anyhow, most of the authors I read (after Wiki-ing them) are actually employed in the field that they write about.  For example, I read E.R Frank's America, and it turns out she's actually a social worker.  And Jacqueline Woodson (If You come Softly...) is a gay, Black female.  It all makes so much sense now.....

These novels helped develop my interests, shape my beliefs and establish a very strong tolerance towards others and their differences.  If I had to choose though, I'd say Emma Donoghue's short story Team Men was the most influential piece of literature I have ever encountered.  It's supposedly a take on the Biblical sotry concerning Kind Saul, his son Jonathan and another character called David.  Donaghue's version is that Jon and Davy are both gay teens who have to come to terms with their sexuality.  I cried the first time I read that story, though at the time, I could not put my finger on why it resonated within me so deeply.  Or maybe I just didn't want to accept it.

Other stories I still remember vividly:

Breathing Underwater by Alex Flinn
Life is Funny by E.R. Frank
Eight Seconds by Jean Ferris
Deliver Us From Evie by M.E. Kerr (they moved this into the adult section in Orlando libraries)
Uncle Max by Chris Kenry (also moved to the grown-ups' books)

I feel that after those novels, I kind of peaked.  I've been searching recently for something to capture my attention, but I've yet to find any interesting adult fiction....  Oh well, I guess I'll have to write my own. ;)