I have engaged in teaching, quoted from it, and read it extensively. Now, I am in the process of seeking those precious little kibbles and bits of insight from this truly delightful piece.

It holds a special place in my heart as it is one of my absolute favorites. I would highly recommend it to others, as it has the power to captivate and inspire.

Moreover, I find myself constantly drawn back to it, eager to re-read and discover new layers of meaning and understanding.

Each time I revisit this work, it offers something fresh and valuable, enriching my perspective and enhancing my appreciation for the beauty and depth of language.

It is a literary gem that continues to shine brightly, and I am confident that it will have a lasting impact on all those who take the time to explore its pages.

This memoir is truly remarkably well-written. I'm extremely glad that I finally managed to take the time to read it.

The author, who grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, recounts the stories from her childhood in a generally chronological manner, starting from her early years and going all the way up through her teen years.

One early memory that is mentioned multiple times in the book is the incident when her father decided to travel in a boat down one of the nearby rivers, completely by himself. It seems to have made a significant impression on her. She also repeatedly mentions that her parents were full of humor, constantly telling jokes and acting like comediennes. Their light-hearted nature surely added a lot of color to her childhood.

She had two younger sisters. One of them she treasured deeply, while the other was treated more like a competitor, and she didn't seem to appreciate the presence of this particular sister. The sibling rivalry, it appears, was only one-sided.

Annie was highly intelligent, and there are frequent mentions of the classic literature that she enjoyed while growing up. It's clear that she had a thirst for knowledge and a love for good books.

Overall, this memoir was an absolute pleasure to read. I was truly impressed with the writing style and the format of the chapters. I wholeheartedly recommend this memoir to anyone who enjoys reading about the lives and experiences of others. It offers a unique and engaging perspective on growing up.

I did not enjoy this book at all.

To be honest, I can't really put my finger on exactly what it was that was so irritating about it. However, most of the chapters just seemed to me to be overly laborious and filled with an air of arrogance.

I found myself constantly asking myself why I disliked this book so much. Was I perhaps just envious of all that privilege and intelligence that seemed to ooze from the pages? Maybe that was part of it.

But one thing is for sure, this is going to be my last encounter with Dillard's works. It's simply not to my taste.

I guess we all have our own preferences when it comes to literature, and unfortunately, this one just didn't hit the mark for me.

Oh well, there are plenty of other books out there waiting to be discovered and loved.

I selected this particular one for the Book Discussion group. The reason being that I was in search of a memoir, and I vividly recalled having a great fondness for it when I read it 21 years ago, precisely on the eve of Gabe's birth.

Upon reading it for the second time, I found that my liking for it remained just as strong. And now, reading it again on the eve of Gabe's transition into adulthood, it dawned on me what a profound impact this book has had on my life and the manner in which I have raised my children.

When I first read it, I couldn't help but constantly think about how I had spent a significant portion of my own childhood watching Gilligan's Island instead of pursuing my true passions. Looking back at my sons' childhoods, I believe they are somewhat closer to Dillard's experience than mine was. This could largely be attributed to our decision to do away with the TV for several years during their growing up years.

Anyway, I once more truly relished Dillard's remarkable ability to turn a phrase, her delightful humor, her profound insights, and her vivid images. Her description of the crippled moth has stayed with me throughout all these years. I was glad to be reminded of "Terwilliger bunts one" and her "hopes for her rough edges." The good news, as Dillard so aptly reminds me, is that our "waking up" to ourselves is an ongoing process that can endure throughout childhood and well beyond.