Reader's Fave

I recently interviewed Lauryn Roberts for our 35th installment of Reader's Fave, a casual interview with someone who shares their favorite book. Lauryn is the shelter house manager for the local Charlotte House. She was at a recent county commissioners meeting advocating for the shelter when we met and arranged for the interview.

"Harry Potter, the whole series, started my love of reading," said Lauryn as we delved into her favorite book by author J. K. Rowling. "I read all the books multiple times." Lauryn clearly conveyed her immediate attraction to the storytelling found in the 'Harry Potter' series.

She was around nine years old when she began reading the series. "It was around 1998 when I read the first one," she said. "My grandpa took me to a bookstore in Portland." This is where Lauryn got the first Harry Potter book, "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone."

While she was a reader before the "Harry Potter" series, it was Lauryn's introduction to these books which caused a change. "What I liked about these stories was the world building that goes on; I hadn't read anything like it," she said. "I grew up an only child, and this series of books allowed my imagination to grow with it. I got three-quarters of the way through the first book, [and] I just couldn't put it down. It fostered the imagination. Where else do you see dragons?"

Lauryn discovered that she became more than just a casual reader. "I love to read to my kids, ages 11 and seven," she said. "My 11-year old absolutely loves it. They both love Harry Potter. I make it a point to sit with the boys every day and read to them before bed every night. My 11-year old reads to me now, and loves it. I let them pick the books, whatever they are interested in."

Upon further reflection, Lauryn shared about her elementary school days. "I went to a Magnet school," she said. "They encouraged reading and I'd often spend much of the day sitting in a stairwell, reading." Since she was an only child, her influences were different at home. "My mom loved to read and I'd be surrounded by adults as an only child so I'd mimic what they were doing," she said. "We lived directly across from the library so we'd go frequently."

Lauryn also mentioned she enjoyed reading "Fourth Wing," an adult fantasy romance novel by author Rebecca Yarros. "I like watching this whole world evolve with fantasy." She said. "It's a nice break from reality."

Currently Lauryn is reading "The Great Alone," a semiautobiographical historical fiction novel by author Kristin Hannah. "I really enjoy Kristin Hannah novels," she said. "It's my third book by her. She's fantastic, she draws you into her story. I read a lot of everything, but I do consider Romantasy books as my favorite genre. I love to immerse [myself] in a book and get away."

Back to "Harry Potter", Lauryn discussed her love of the series, "When we went to England, I brought back the English or British version and I'm going through it now. I have the Scottish version of the first book, too."

As for the format of the books she reads, Lauryn said, "I'm more of a Kindle and audio reader." Lauryn also uses the Libby app for her ebooks and audio. As she mentioned, she reads a lot and doesn't let the format get in the way.

May you wonderful Wahkiakum readers find a book, whatever format it is, and become immersed while finding a nice break from reality.