I've loved books for as long as I can remember.  One of my fondest memories from elementary school was from the 1st grade.  I'd gone to the library to check out The Black Stallion only to have the librarian try to dissuade me from the book because it was on the 5th grade reader list and not meant for 1st graders.  I quietly opened the book and began reading it aloud to her so she conceded defeat and let me check the book out.