Books, Books, Books

Reading is seriously one of my all time favorite pastimes. I have loved books since the day I learned to read…which was in about kindergarten. I used to read all kinds of Hooked on Phonics books when I was little. In elementary school library day was always my favorite day of the week. For some reason I loved the book, How the Grinch Stole Christmas. I used to read it every time we went in for library day. It got to a point where Mrs. Sims, the librarian, would have it sitting there ready for me when my class came to the library. Another one of my favorite times was when the book fair came to town. They would set up these huge files of books in the lobby area outside the school office and sell them for a week or so. I loved browsing through and coming home with a bunch of new books every time.

When you read you get a chance to escape reality and visit places only your imagination can take you. I love to read fictional stories for young readers. I recently finished the Fablehaven series, and I loved the Harry Potter books. Stories like that allow your imagination to open up and really take in the fact that anything is possible.

I love being able to come home at the end of a long day to find a good book waiting for me. There is nothing more relaxing than curling up on the couch with a blanket and a good book. This one may sound funny, but I also love to read while soaking in a tub of warm water…so relaxing!

Every time I read a book that I really love it makes me wish I could write the way these authors do. I would love to write a bestseller some day. Not because I want to be rich and famous, although I wouldn’t mind the rich part, but because I would love to be able to share a story that would touch a reader the way others stories have touched mine. Creative writing is another way of truly opening up the imagination and just letting everything flow. I love that feeling. Life can be so restricting especially the older you get and the more responsible you’re supposed to be. Letting your imagination freely flow takes down all those restrictive barriers and helps you feel like a kid again.

I also love how reading can teach you things. I enjoy reading books with a motivational message to them such as The Hiding Place, Tuesdays with Morrie, or The Peacegiver. They are books that entertain and inspire…the best combination on the planet.

The only bad thing about reading is that sometimes I simply can’t find the time to do it. I get so caught up in the day to day things and other forms of media and entertainment that I let the precious quiet time of reading slip away from me. I need to be better at this. I need to make time for reading instead of waiting for it to find me. There are millions of good books out there, but unless I make time to read one I’m never going to get time to read them all! This is why I am taking advantage of this time being sick and reading as much as I can. Every now and then the Lortab in my system makes the words start spiraling off the page and I have to take a break and watch TV or sleep, but I am getting in some good reading.

So...tell me what are some of your favorite books? What is on your nightstand right now? What book should I read next?