Copyright — Randy Mazie
Here we are gathered together for another week. This time we’re in the comfortable virtual conference room of a large modern library. We’re here once more to discuss our original stories for Friday Fictioneers. Our talented and gracious hostess for the gathering is author and artist Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. The weekly challenge is to write a story with no more than 100 words. It’s supposed to have a beginning, middle, end, and follow the picture prompt for the week. This week’s prompt was supplied by Randy Mazie. Thanks Randy.
I also want to wish a Happy Thanksgiving to all who’ll celebrate that day this week!
The link for all other stories is as follows:
http://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/2014/11/26/28-november-2014/
Genre: Nonfiction Memoir
Word Count: 100 Words
THE READER by P.S. Joshi
There were many readers in Dad’s family, including Dad and his parents of course. But the person I remember most for reading was Grandma’s sister, Aunt Gert.
Her eyesight had been poor for years. Dad said when young, she’d stand stirring food on the stove and reading at the same time.
I remember her in her seventies and eighties sitting in the front room of her home, thick glasses on, large magnifying glass held over the print of a book, head bent, reading by the hour.
Her younger son had subscribed to the Book of the Month Club for her.
Musings on Life & Experience 
Yes once you are into reading it’s hard to stop.. my father lost most of his eyesight.. but continued to read till the very last… (I remember once he was ill, I read for him)… yes books are a bliss.
LikeLike
Books make the best companions, Aunt Gert was on to a good thing.
LikeLike
The image of someone reading and stirring food at the same time is so graphic. I think I’d have liked your Aunt Gert.
LikeLike
How lovely… once you’re bitten by the reading bug, it’s hard to stop.
LikeLike
Excellent and so identifiable. 🙂
LikeLike
The younger son needs a medal. He’s a good man.
LikeLike
Ahhh! We should all live so long! Nice, Susan!
LikeLike
I like how you came at this image from an inside-someone’s-story way. I think it is very difficult to write something that speaks that clearly about a character without hitting people over the head with excessive detail. Your word choice and voice gave this character life.
LikeLike
A “voracious” reader. How wonderful! 🙂
-HA
LikeLike
My daughter and daughter in-law are both such readers. Hopefully, this gene will be passed on to my grandchildren and they will learn to appreciate the joy that only books can provide. Wonderful piece, Susan. I would have liked your Aunt Gert too.
LikeLike
My Dad’s a big reader as well, but he stopped reading as much when his eyesight started to go. But then he got glasses and once again he’s devouring books and the Farmer’s Weekly. Glad to see there are still families sharing in the love of literature apart from my own.
LikeLike
I think we both had the same aunt Gert.
What fond memories. Randy
LikeLike
That’s a sweet story. Aunt Gert reminds me of my Gran.
LikeLike
Dear Susan,
You painted a lovely picture of Aunt Gert. I can see her at the stove.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
I too hope to be reading into my eighties and beyond. Good story
LikeLike
I love Aunt Gert and I love reading.
Few things give me more pleasure than seeing my children absorbed in books. It gives me hope that despite all their electronic toys, books still have a special kind of magic
LikeLike
Reading, once you start to do it with focus, is addictive. I hope to continue it for as long as Aunt Gert 🙂
LikeLike
I wonder if Aunt Gert spoiled many dinners with her reading habits. Let’s hope not. Lovely portrayal of this gently, appealing character.
LikeLike
What wonderful memories! When I’m unable to read print any longer, I’ll go audio…
Great piece, Susan…
Ellespeth
LikeLike
I’m already thinking of heading that way!
LikeLike
Such wonderful images of family and connectedness. You do such a nice job of weaving these tales, Susan.
LikeLike
This brings to mind so many people in my life! Mom, Dad, sisters. We are often late to many things because my husband gets lost in reading. Well done.
LikeLike
I used to belong to the Book of the Month Club, too! Now I use the library. Love your story.
Lily
LikeLike
Dear Susan,
Aunt Gert is my kind of person. So are you. Great story from a solid stance. Well done.
Aloha,
Doug
LikeLike
Thanks so much Doug. I’m so very glad you liked the story. Thanks once again for the encouragement. She was a great old lady. It’s been many years now, but I can still see her sitting there reading. 🙂 — Susan
LikeLike
Ah, I love how you painted this character…I stood by my stove stirring with one hand and holding my book in the other many times when the children were little especially..
LikeLike
Thanks Traces. I’m so glad this was something familiar to you and you liked the story. I enjoyed writing it. I remember her so well. 🙂 — Susan
LikeLiked by 1 person
She sounds fabulous. As much as I like paperbooks the fact that one can adjust the size of the letters in e-readers is a definite advantage..
LikeLike
Thanks Olga. She was quite a lady. She didn’t let poor eyesight stop her and was interested to hear if someone was going to take a trip. She traveled out West in the U.S. on the train in the early part of the 20th Century with two small children and a baby to see her husband who was working for the railroad there. Being able to adjust the print size is great. 🙂 — Suzanne
LikeLike
I was the reader in my family. Even today I made our spare bedroom into a library. My wife did make me dispose of some paperbacks in our last move. My wife kids me my mother was in labor so long because I wasn’t finished reading.
DJ
LikeLike
Thanks Danny. That about your mother’s labor was hilarious. 😀 Your wife has a great sense of humor. My son made me turn some of my books into the used book story. I didn’t have enough shelf space and, being a voracious reader, he could get credit and get the books he wanted or used DVD’s the store also carried. He somehow got a book I wanted to keep in with them and I had to go and buy it back. 🙂 — Susan
LikeLike