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Oct 30, 2018SFBookAddict rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
What drew me to read this book was simply its title. I love books and I was curious what a successful writer had to say about them. I have not read any of Conroy's works, though saw a few of films based on his books. I was not disappointed by this book. His journey to become an author was very interesting. I enjoyed reading how the various people, events and places in his life such as his parents, teachers, professors, friends, being an military brat and from South Carolina played roles in his decision to become a writer. He also writes about the various books, poems, authors, and poets that he loves. He really captures the emotions books give we readers. After reading this book, I felt I had come to know the man himself, not just what made him a writer. My favorite chapter is "Being a Military Brat" because of its honesty and power. Some of my favorite quotations from that chapter are: "I'm a stranger everywhere and a stranger nowhere." Of his fighter pilot father, Conroy writes "His job was to kill people when his nation asked him to, pure and simple. And the loving of his kids was never written into his job description." I walk away with a great admiration of Conroy's journey and writing.