Reading is important
I really have been reading — but nothing too outstanding. I picked up three books at our new library the other day, just to have something on hand. One was My Lucky Stroke by Kirk Douglas, actor. I have never been a big fan of his, but after reading this small book about his illness, and how he handled it, I had a different feeling of respect and admiration for him!
A Song Flung Up to Heaven by Maya Angelou was another book. Was it poetry or prose? Interesting. She leads a different life than we do. I guess you could say it is a fascinating page from her exciting life.
American Son by Richard Blow is, of course, another Kennedy story — this time about young John who lost his life in a tragic plane crash. The story is about his starting the magazine George. I found it quite interesting.
Right now I'm reading To Kill a Mocking Bird by Lee Harper. I know it was written in the '60s and made into a very popular movie. I had just never read it. It's a wonderful book. My daughter Wanda says Colorado Springs chooses books for the townspeople to read and right now To Kill a Mocking Bird is the one.
If you watch TV at all you know there are a lot of new books coming out. These people have been "pushing" their books — Hugh Downs, Peter Jennings, Sen. John McCain, and Rudolph Giuliani. Not long ago, I read a book about Guiliani. What a book! It was a lot about New York politics and his private love affairs. A very colorful figure. He certainly came through as mayor at the 9/11 tragedy. I think everyone agrees to that.
Reading is so important. I think a lot of trouble could be avoided if people could read and try to understand others. I just saw a show where the father gave his daughter an overdose of strong medicine because he couldn't read the instructions. See what can happen!
— NORMA HANNAFORD
