Saved by SF…

“And one day I found myself browsing [the local library] and said “Hey, I think I’ve heard of this Ray Bradbury chap….” Which led to Asimov, Clarke, Frank Herbert and so on. … I was subconsciously shown that the universe is bigger than some boring old council estate. It’s what made me decide to go to college to do my A-levels … My broadened perception is what made me wonder what university could be like. And when I lost my first job it’s what made me think that being the first person in my family to leave Stoke-On-Trent was quite acceptable. And I moved to London and found fandom, love, independence and the most amazing city in the country. All because my mum took us to the library every week.”