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Top reads for this Charlotte native reporter

For the third year, Channel 9 has teamed up with the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library for 9 Books for Kids, so we're finding out about some of our anchors’ favorite books.

Charlotte native and traffic anchor, Mark Taylor, shared some of his top reads and his personal connection to each of them.

The Bridge to Terabithia, by Katherine Paterson

This is the first book I remember reading that really had an effect on me. I was able to empathetically relate to the themes of friendship, imagination, love and loss.  This is also the first book I shared with my son, Austin.

Tideland, by Mitch Cullin

In my late 20’s, I started writing for an online Zine (the now defunct Lost At Sea Magazine) and was able to interview the author of this book, Mitch Cullin. Excerpt from interview: “Cullin is an extraordinary wordsmith of literary, artistic narratives that bring about intense trepidation. Often centering his work around the rural landscape of rustic Texas, Cullin's fearlessness is alluring in the way he is able to emote humor in his horror. Tideland is a book filled with so much peculiar and grievous circumstances that it chills the very root of the human soul.”

Cosmos, by Carl Sagan

There is a reason “Cosmos” became the most popular science book upon its release in 1980.  Sagan was able to put context around complex data, philosophes and even theories on extraterrestrial life - that’s not always relatable.  He also understood the vulnerability of the human experience, as it relates to our relatively tiny existence, in the overall vastness of the cosmos.  Sagan had me thinking about life’s biggest questions.

Now through April 12, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library and Channel 9 asks the community to donate new or gently used books for children and teens at all Charlotte Mecklenburg Library locations. Additionally, three 9 Family Focus community business partners have chosen to collect books at their Mecklenburg county locations: Showmars, Ashley HomeStore and E.R. Plumbing Services.

All donated books will be distributed by the library to area children and teens through Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Outreach Services without the need to check out and return the books.  More information is available by clicking here.