When I was a child, I remember hearing the slogan READING IS FUNDAMENTAL both at school and on TV commercials.  The Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) program was founded in 1966 by Margaret McNamara and became a popular slogan and a national movement focused on getting books into the hands of children, particularly those from low-income communities, to foster a love of reading and literacy.

 “Reading is Fundamental”

The thought that there was both a fundamental and a fun element to reading stuck with me.  The joy of having a daily story time in elementary school also stuck with me. My mom read to me at home and now my teacher was reading to me in class!  Talk about fun!  That is when I first heard the story of The Boxcar Children.  What wonderful memories!   

You know that I like talking with you about what series you are reading or what books your (grand) kiddos are enjoying this week.  I also like to chat with my fellow Yorktown Public Library staffers about their favorite reads.  Reminiscing about my own childhood reading journey led me to ask many questions. 

Here’s the scoop…

Yorktown Public Library Staff Members’ Favorite Books from Childhood:

Ben- Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein

Beth-Nancy Drew Mysteries by Carolyn Keene

Haiden- The Warrior Cats series by Erin Hunter

Liz- Lassie  by Eric Knight and Black Beauty by Anna Sewell

Mallory- ALL of the Dr. Seuss books

Peter- Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina

Shannon- The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner

Yorktown Public Library Staff Members’ All-Time Favorite Books:

Ben- Normal People by Sally Rooney

Beth- The Stand by Stephen King

Haiden- A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sara J. Maas

Liz- Surviving the Angel of Death by Eva Mozes Kor

Mallory- Among the Hidden series by Margaret Haddix

Peter- An amalgamation of everything I’ve loved from all my favorite books

Shannon- The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

Yorktown Public Library Staff Members’ Favorite Story Genre:

Ben- Young Adult Romance and Graphic Novels/Manga

Beth- Mystery and Historical Fiction

Haiden- Fantasy and Romantasy

Liz- Historical Fiction and True Crimes

Mallory- Mystery and Thrillers

Peter- Science Fiction

Shannon- Non-fiction and Mystery

To browse titles in any of these genres, try doing a subject search in our catalog!

What Book Can You Repeatedly Read?

Ben-Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

Beth-11/22/63 by Stephen King

Liz- The Stand by Stephen King

Mallory- A Light in the Attic and Falling Up by Shel Silverstein

Peter- Murderbot Diaries: All Systems Red by Martha Wells

Shannon-The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

What was your favorite book as a child?  How would you answer the above questions? 

When you visit your Yorktown Public Library, you are supporting those same Reading is Fundamental values.  You are encouraging others to read every time you chat with your bestie over coffee about the latest book you are reading, when you text a family member a mystery book recommendation, or when you join a book club. 

From childhood to present day, the Reading is Fundamental slogan still holds true.  Reading continues to be a fundamental part of our lives!