Writers are always readers first - the books that made me who I am

I've been quite cut-off from the virtual world this past week because:
a) I've had major computer trouble (the mother-board of my laptop needs to be replaced) and
b) Although I do have internet access through my brother's computer, I've been going nuts trying to complete Assignment #13 for my Writer's Bureau course. I'm supposed to be writing a plot for a novel as well as a short-story of my choice. As far as The Novel is concerned, I'd rather not say anything yet (I'll let the world know what I'm writing - or attempting to write - when I feel ready and, more importantly, have something concrete typed out.) But the short story is something I expected to complete long back yet am still struggling with. Back at school, I could write a story in a day, editting and all. And actually got good marks and praise for most of them. It used to be so damn easy. But now it's a lot more challenging - the hardest kind of writing I've ever attempted, in fact - and the stuff I wrote at school seems nothing more than a load of adolescent tripe. I can't believe Mrs. Sura (who by the way, is the best English teacher in the world...ok, the best English teacher I've ever had) made such nice comments about my work then. I guess she recognised the potential that lurked within and was just being encouraging. I don't think I'd be doing what I am today if it weren't for her.
Anyways, so as I was saying, the stupid short story that I should have ideally finished weeks back is really pissing me off now. I hope it somehow falls into place soon.
Not having my own computer means I've had lots of free time, which I've spent in front of the T.V. It's amazing how there can be over 80 channels to choose from yet not one airs anything worthwhile to watch. Everything is just plagued with unreal reality shows, so-not-funny comedy and the same music and movies playing over and over again. I wish I had a good book to read. I haven't been book-shopping in ages and am fed up of re-reading stuff from my collection. I do have lots of ebooks waiting to be read but that obviously would be impossible without my computer. One day, I'm going to own a swanky little ebook reader so I can carry around all my digital books with me. Ah, that's one more addition to my list of 'Things I want to buy myself one day'. It just keeps getting longer. Sometimes I think by the time I get around to being able to afford all the things on it, they'll probably be obsolete. And then I'll have to make a new list but won't be able to afford that and it'll turn into a vicious cycle with me never getting around to ticking anything off it.
Oh, there I go rambling again. I was talking about books. I really need something new to read. I wish I get one or two on my birthday in November, preferably romance or chick-lit, but heck, anything will do. Though, it's okay if I don't. There is only one thing that I REALLY want this birthday and it's neither materialistic nor for myself. It's for someone else but will affect me too indirectly and I'll just be happy if God grants me that one little wish.
Anyways, speaking of books, I was going to write about the books I grew up reading. The first real novels I delved into were by Enid Blyton: The Famous Five Series, followed by Malory Towers and St. Clare's.

I got the first three Malory Towers books bound into one thick edition as a prize for putting in good effort in the fourth grade. Somehow, the book ended up mysteriously disappearing from the shelf I stored it in. I never found out what happened to it but I wish I still had it as a momento.
Along with those, came books by Judy Blume: The Fudge Series, Blubber, It's not the end of the world, Then again maybe I won't, Tiger Eyes, Are you there God it's me Margaret, Just as long as we're together, Here's to you Rachel Robinson, and the most 'grown-up' book of them all, Forever.

Forever deals with teenage sexuality and I remember when we were immature pre-teens, there was a great fascination/obsession regarding this book. If another kid found out you'd borrowed it from the school library, word would spread and there would be a great hullabaloo about your choice of novels.
Then of course was my favorite series of books before I discovered Harry Potter: The Sweet Valley Series.

I guess it was all teenage chick-lit but I loved it, especially Sweet Valley University! Unfortunately, I never managed to read every one of the books like I'd wanted but I'm still hoping that one day I will. What's worse is that when I left Kenya, I sold off or gave away the few copies I did have. Today, I have only one left: Sweet Valley High: Elizabeth's Secret Diary. I like going back to its old, yellowing pages every now and then and being thrown back into that world of my adolescence. One day, I want to own the entire SVU series! (Yet another addition to the 'Things I want to buy myself one day' list. :P)
Then there were also a few books by Roald Dahl (like The BFG!) and the Goosebumps series by R.L.Stine and the Sweet Dreams romance series.
After all of those came Harry Potter of course. I was kind of late in getting around to giving them a try and now I'm a huge, huge, huge fan, just like thousands of people everywhere. I'm also running late to try the Twilight series. I've heard lots about it, want to read it, have the ebooks, but somehow, can't get around to doing it. I will, though. Soon. As soon as I have that ebook reader! :P Or, when I have the actual book. I wish I had a library full of racks and racks of my favorite fiction. Just like the library there was at my school. College libraries are so boring, full of thick textbooks and reference books and ancient journals and what not. Why can't they have a fiction section?
Wow, I've written such a long post. Better stop now before I bore you to death. Until next time, 'ajj disco waale khisko...bhai desi beat bajani!' (haha, it's a track from Dil Bole Hadippa which I can't stop singing. I have a feeling the movie will be pathetic but I'm going to watch it anyways because it's got my favorite guy in the whole world in it. I mean Shahid, by the way. Just thought I'd clarify since Rani is also a 'guy' in the movie. A very unconvincing one at that from what I see in the promos.)