In Conversation With…Julia Pollacco

Although still in her early twenties, Julia Pollacco has already two collections of poetry to her name — My Little Book of Secrets and Not Yours (which can be found here) — both of which she published herself. She has also written short stories, as well as full length stories. During 2015 she also began writing stories aimed at children which she illustrated herself.

We asked her five questions about her reading habits.

Conversation Pieces: What is the first book you remember reading which you chose yourself?
Julia Pollacco: Both my parents and my eldest sibling were quite into reading, so our shelves at home have always been well stocked. I can’t remember a first specific book, but I do remember going through stages. I had an obsession with Enid Blyton for the longest time, but I eventually moved on to series marketed for girls, such as, ‘The Sleepover Club.’ I also remember being pretty keen on, ‘The Nancy Drew Files.’ The Harry Potter series quickly came along after that.

CP: Is there a book that you wish you should have read earlier in your life?
JP: I don’t think so. Regardless of when I read a particular book, it was always so special to me at the time (if I enjoyed it completely, of course), that I can’t imagine myself not reading it at that point in time. I find that the books I read and fall in love with act a lot like markers. I’ve been reading what are meant to be children’s books recently, for instance, and I can’t imagine myself having read them before and appreciating them half as much.

CP: Which — and why — are your three favourite books?
JP: Peter Pan, J.M. Barrie: something about the magic behind it is too lovely. The whole idea of never growing up but sometimes having to grow up is so real. It’s a coming of age story to me more than a children’s book.

Pansy, Andrea Gibson: (or any book by Andrea Gibson if I’m going to be honest). I just can’t get enough of their work. Their words are so hauntingly beautiful. Their poetry books are just about flawless to me. I could read them constantly, and I tend to go back to them from time to time — they’re a comfort.

The Unabridged Journals of Sylvia Plath, ed. Karen Kukil: I feel like not mentioning Sylvia Plath would be a crime on my end. I’ll have to admit that I haven’t quite gone through the entire book yet — it’s massive — but the words she writes, and just understanding, or attempting to understand, Plath’s mindset, is crazy interesting. There are quotes from her journals (as well as her poetry, mind you) that I could just read, and re read constantly.

CP: Paper or e-books: which do you prefer?
JP: Paper, definitely. The feel of a book is too wonderful. Plus, I’m that (usually) hated person who needs to underline or highlight on books to fully feel engrossed in it. I do see the advantages in e-books though — they definitely make travelling light easier.

CP: Why is reading important for you? What does it give you?
JP: I can’t imagine myself not reading, or not wanting to read. From a young age reading was my way of escaping into these lovely worlds created by strangers, and by the last page, I gained a number of friends. It creates this whole other dimension I can explore and be part of.

To learn more about Julia Pollacco and read her poetry, go to her Writer Girl Rambling Facebook page. Whilst we’re at it, please do join the Conversation Pieces newsletter to be kept informed of our projects and follow us on Facebook.