I split my adolescence between the pulpy smell of books, which was my mother's passion, and the leathery smell of baseball gloves, which was my father's.
The author reflects on his formative years, highlighting the contrasting influences of his parents. His mother cherished literature, surrounding him with the aroma of books, which cultivated a love for reading and learning. Meanwhile, his father's passion for baseball introduced a different dimension to his upbringing, characterized by the tactile experience of gloves and the excitement of the sport.
This duality in his adolescence demonstrates how he embraced both intellectual and physical pursuits, shaping his identity. The blend of these two worlds, literature and baseball, illustrates the richness of his childhood and the profound impact his parents had on his life.
