A Space for Reading

I’ve always been a book worm; a ferocious consumer of literature. I remember how excited I was for my elementary school’s book fair. We’re talking butterflies in the tummy like only a fourth grader can have kind of excited!

The gym was setup with various round and rectangular tables, and piled high with neatly stacked books. Meandering through the stacks, I discovered Ramona and Socks, Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle, Choose Your Own Adventure, and Bunnicula.

And what about those Scholastic orders? Gen Xers, you know what I’m talking about! Heaven! Turn in a paper order form and in a few weeks get books back. Unlike today with one and two-day shipping, I actually had to wait (gasp) for those books to come. And when they did, boy-oh-boy! Let the reading frenzy begin!

Every year I’d set up my reading station by our Christmas tree: pillows and blankets and my black teddy bear with the slightly worn fur and perky bear ears. I’d read by the light of my flashlight while enjoying the blinking lights of the tree after the sun went down.

And somehow, my love of books has stuck with me. I laughed the other night when I lamented that I have so many books to read and just not enough time in the day.

You should see my night stand! It’s covered with piles of books, stacked both vertically and horizontally. Sorry Marie Kondo, I cannot keep to your 30-book limit.

I love fiction and non-fiction, poetry and essays. All of it!

I’ve read the Harry Potter series twice, and one of my favorite books is To Kill a Mockingbird. I re-read A Christmas Carol every year, the week before Christmas. When I need a fluff book, I usually pick up Kathy Reichs. She writes the novels that inspired the TV series Bones about a female forensic scientist who solves grizzly crimes by investigating a victim’s remains.

I try and read a new animal rights books every year. These are so tough to get though, but may be the reason why I’m still a vegetarian. After reading time and again about the horrors of factory farming, I’m never tempted to each meat.

Ever.

I used to be one of those readers who felt that if I picked a book up, then I must finish it.

I no longer feel that way…life is just too short and there are just too many books. I typically read about twenty-five pages, and if the book hasn’t hooked me by that time…well, then it’s goodbye and off to the next one.

Right now, with a young kid, I usually buy my books, used (if I can) from Amazon. Once my son gets older and my reading time gets more predictable, I hope to get back to borrowing from the library. So for now, when I’m done reading, I either trade the book for credit at my local used bookstore or donate it to Arc or Goodwill.

I tried reading from my Kindle, without much luck. I just love the feel and smell of books. Real books in your hands that you can open, close, and bend the corners down.

I still adore going into book stores! I worked at Barnes and Noble for about eleven years and still love getting lost in book isles, or stumbling upon an unknown author.

Reading is a gift, and it’s something I make room for every single day before I go to bed. Even if only for five minutes, I know how important reading is.

And my kid? He’s already hooked! I’m lucky if I get away with reading only three books at bedtime.

Welcome, my child, to the world of the book worm!

Call to Action: Pick up something and start reading!