Oh man, it's Tuesday! I forgot, I haven't even thought about this yet. It has to be something about books. Favorite 10 books? Favorite characters from books? Favorite bad guys? Favorite quotes? Wow, since books are one of my all-time favorite things, this is going to be a challenge. Um....okay.
Top Ten Reasons I Read Books:
1. Escape. I'm not sure I can come up with ten of these either, because this pretty much encompasses a large percentage of why I read. For awhile, I am not me, here. I am him or her (or it), there. Not that there's anything wrong with me, here, or anything special about him, her or it there. But every once in awhile it's nice to take your mind off of whatever is weighing on you. Reading for me is the cheapest Great Escape there is!
2. Education. It's amazing what you can learn in books. Of course Google.com has taken a lot of the thunder out of this aspect of reading, but the learning is just more subtle for me in books. For example, I can read murder mysteries and learn many interesting things that I'd never dare Google for fear of what I'd end up seeing. ;) Books are the second oldest form of learning, and still a very potent and interesting way.
3. Adventure. While I'm reading a novel, I travel to other countries, other lifestyles, sometimes other worlds. I visit people and nations and centuries I'd never otherwise get to see. Sometimes I'm fascinated, sometimes I'm bored, occasionally I'm shocked, but I love it when I can close a book after the last page is done, with a sigh, and say "Now THAT was incredible."
4. Stress Removal. Reading is my number one way to relieve stress. Flying is number two. Both require me to concentrate on what I'm doing, both get me 'lost' in something else, and both help me come away with a much better feeling about life. Some days when I've just had enough, and it's been too long, I will take a Saturday and stay in my pajamas, and I will sit in a room all alone with a drink and a snack and a book, and I will not want to be disturbed the entire day. By the time I'm done, I feel quiet, and anti-social, but centered again.
5. Silence. If I'm reading a book, I hear nothing. I can sit at McDonald's PlayLand with 20 screaming children for 2 hours and hear...Nothing. Unless Kaylee runs up and says "Mommy". I hear that. Otherwise, I tune out the world, and I like it that way!
6. Options. If you are watching TV, you are limited to what's on. If you are in a particular mood, there's not much you can do about it. If I'm reading, I can read something light and fluffy if I just need a break, I can read something deeply moving if I'm ready for it, I can read something scary if I'm in the mood, I can read something educational at my own pace if I need to know. The possibilities are limitless, and focused right in on the area of interest. Can't do that even with 900 satellite channels. Trust me.
7. More Options. If, for some awful reason, I can't finish a book the same day I start it, I can actually put it down. And when I come back, it will be right where I left it. I don't have to record it, don't have to rent it again in order to finish it. I just have to pick it up, whenever I want, and nothing will have changed. I can think of a few things I wish did that!
8. It's a good example. I'm reaching a bit here, but bear with me. I hooked my best friend on reading because she HAD to out of self-defense if she was around me for very long. lol I'm hoping my daughter will some day end up picking up the love of reading, and I hope that seeing it be something that I enjoy will be a positive influence.
9. Because I am trying to break the Guiness Book of World Records on number of books stuffed in one home? Because I'm trying to see if I can force Steve into building an addition on to the house? Because I'm obsessive/compulsive on buying books?
10. Because I can't help it. I will read cereal boxes, magazines, I have even been known to read ingredient lists. The internet is terrible. I can get lost in there if I let myself. But for me, I read, therefore I am. :)
No comments:
Post a Comment