I grew up too early for this book to be there when I was a teenager, but I, too, recognize the voracious reader and escaper into books. I didn't often get to a library (my father disliked them) but I had a few books, and I reread them a lot (until my father made me burn them all when I was in high school -- a few escaped the fire due to being at my great-grandparents' house, but... yeah). My house now is covered in books, and I love Pamela Dean.

And, yeah, thank god that you had a good friend and a way to ask for help. I've lost a few friends to that black dog, and I'm happy you escaped.