Growing up without a love for reading was a peculiar experience for Derek Owusu, who revealed that he didn't pick up a book until the age of 24. This revelation not only speaks to his late development as a reader but also raises questions about how our early experiences shape us.
For Owusu, his earliest memories of learning to read were spent with Biff and Chip books, which his foster parents used to teach him. However, it wasn't until he was around 25 that he discovered the joy of reading through St Mawr by DH Lawrence, a book that would eventually become one of many favorites in his collection.
As Owusu delves deeper into his favorite authors, including EM Forster and HG Wells, he reveals how they helped shape his literary tastes. His favorite book among these is F Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, which held a special place for him until he finally read Vladimir Nabokov's The Real Life of Sebastian Knight.
One book that had a profound impact on Owusu was bell hooks' The Will to Change, which introduced him to the concept of masculinity and forced him to confront his own understanding of being male. This book marked a turning point in his life, prompting him to re-evaluate his identity and seek out new perspectives.
Benjamin Zephaniah's writing also played a significant role in Owusu's development as a writer. His correspondence with the poet and playwright encouraged Owusu to pursue his passion for creative writing, despite initial doubts about his abilities.
Among the authors who have influenced Owusu is Ralph Ellison, whose Invisible Man opened up new possibilities for him as a reader. He has also found inspiration in Claudia Rankine's Don't Let Me Be Lonely and Yrsa Daley-Ward's The Terrible.
Owusu's return to classic authors like Henry James was not without its challenges. Initially put off by Washington Square, he eventually discovered the beauty of James' writing in The Aspern Papers, which led him to read five novels in a row.
Self-Reliance by Ralph Waldo Emerson is another book that holds a special place for Owusu, as it provides a source of comfort and guidance during times of low self-esteem. On the other hand, Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray has become a difficult read for Owusu, whose perception of the novel shifted from admiration to annoyance.
More recent discoveries have been made by Owusu through Richard Yates' A Good School, which he found to be his favorite novel after years of exploring his author's work. Finally, he is currently reading Julian Barnes' Departure(s), a book that continues to spark his curiosity and interest in literature.
For Owusu, his earliest memories of learning to read were spent with Biff and Chip books, which his foster parents used to teach him. However, it wasn't until he was around 25 that he discovered the joy of reading through St Mawr by DH Lawrence, a book that would eventually become one of many favorites in his collection.
As Owusu delves deeper into his favorite authors, including EM Forster and HG Wells, he reveals how they helped shape his literary tastes. His favorite book among these is F Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, which held a special place for him until he finally read Vladimir Nabokov's The Real Life of Sebastian Knight.
One book that had a profound impact on Owusu was bell hooks' The Will to Change, which introduced him to the concept of masculinity and forced him to confront his own understanding of being male. This book marked a turning point in his life, prompting him to re-evaluate his identity and seek out new perspectives.
Benjamin Zephaniah's writing also played a significant role in Owusu's development as a writer. His correspondence with the poet and playwright encouraged Owusu to pursue his passion for creative writing, despite initial doubts about his abilities.
Among the authors who have influenced Owusu is Ralph Ellison, whose Invisible Man opened up new possibilities for him as a reader. He has also found inspiration in Claudia Rankine's Don't Let Me Be Lonely and Yrsa Daley-Ward's The Terrible.
Owusu's return to classic authors like Henry James was not without its challenges. Initially put off by Washington Square, he eventually discovered the beauty of James' writing in The Aspern Papers, which led him to read five novels in a row.
Self-Reliance by Ralph Waldo Emerson is another book that holds a special place for Owusu, as it provides a source of comfort and guidance during times of low self-esteem. On the other hand, Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray has become a difficult read for Owusu, whose perception of the novel shifted from admiration to annoyance.
More recent discoveries have been made by Owusu through Richard Yates' A Good School, which he found to be his favorite novel after years of exploring his author's work. Finally, he is currently reading Julian Barnes' Departure(s), a book that continues to spark his curiosity and interest in literature.
. I mean, it's crazy how our early experiences can shape us, right? But at the same time, isn't it also kinda weird that he went through all this without ever really enjoying books until his mid-twenties? Like, what was happening in that brain of his?
It's like they want us to think too much about how we're thinking about the topic. And don't even get me started on the fonts - some of these are so tiny I need magnifying glasses to read 'em 
. Can't we just have a readable format for once? 
i love how derek owusu talks about how reading saved him or something 
and benjamin zephaniah's writing is so inspiring! he helped derek find his voice as a writer. i'm definitely going to check out some of these authors now 
. I'm curious how his early exps had an impact on him, it's wild how one book can change ur perspective like bell hooks' The Will to Change did for him. And omg Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man is a game changer too! I need more of these kinds of stories about people findin their love for readin later in life 
I'm still trying to visualize how he went from being a reluctant reader to finding his love for literature 
But then, you stumble upon a Biff and Chip book, and suddenly, there's light 
It's like that moment when Derek Owusu discovered St Mawr – everything changed 
bell hooks' The Will to Change had a huge impact on him, and it's awesome that he was able to confront his own understanding of being male 
And now, I'm curious to know what other paths this guy will take in his literary journey 
just read about how Derek Owusu didn't even pick up a book till he was 24... like what's going on with our childhoods fam? 
how can we be expected to know who we are or what we want if we're not exposed to literature and ideas from a young age? 
. It just goes to show that there's no one-size-fits-all way of experiencing life, right?
. I mean, who doesn't love discovering new books at 24? 
. for him, it was a gradual process that led him to find books that really spoke to him, and it's so cool to see how he's been able to grow as a reader over time.
that book had such a profound impact on Owusu, forcing him to re-evaluate his understanding of masculinity and identity. it's amazing to see how literature can be used as a tool for self-discovery and growth 
.
. Oh wait, no I don't... or do I? 
... but then he stumbled upon DH Lawrence and thats when the magic happened 
... how do u think books can shape our identity so much tho? like, it seems like Owusu's love for reading kinda changed everything for him