the more that you read, the more things you will know. the more that you learn, the more places you’ll go. -dr. seuss
not sure about you, but i love to read. i remember being in the fourth grade, anxious to get back to school the next day so that i could continue my journey through Charlotte’s web. what would charlotte weave into her web next? would she be able to save wilbur from imminent death? my heart ached with saddness as i realized the friendly spider would breath her last breath, and i closed the pages of that book with a sigh. i was hooked.
charlotte’s web would be later replaced by the little house on the prairie series, then the horrific, and oh-so-scary, why-did-i-ever-read-them, rl stine books of my junior high years. you can’t beat the classic ramona, box car children, or sweet valley high reads. i’d like to think that as an adult i have moved onto bigger and better things. bridget jones’s diary, battlefield of the mind, and anything on organizing have topped my favorites in years past.
in 2006 i came across what would soon become a quest to read and own every. single. book. written by nicholas sparks. i stumbled upon the notebook (yes before seeing the movie) and thought i’d take it with me to the gym. certainly it would help my time on the treadmill to pass quickly, right? i soon realized my best bet would have been to finish it off in the privacy of my own home. for there i was hanging over the treadmill, book clenched tightly in my hands, tears literally pouring off my face. you’d think that would have taught me, but no. i continued to take most every book i acquired by mr. sparks to the gym. i think when people saw me coming they just prepared themselves for a weeping, emotional, basket case of a person attempting to run. those books captivated me, and led me to new and exciting places. i now proudly display them (yes in order of release) and every so often go back to re-read one of my favorites.
getting lost in a book has become one of my favorite past times. i don’t do it as often as i should, but i absolutely and truly love to read. it is something i instill in my children (more on that in the coming weeks), and definitely something i strive to continue to do even better. ellen thompson once said ‘my home is where my books are.’ and i couldn’t agree more.
the best places to get a good read:
- used book stores these days, many of us are trying to live more frugally, and understandably so. as much as i love a good stroll through barnes & noble, or the crisp smell of borders, i tend to frequent the used book stores more often than not. half priced books is one of my faves.
- local thrift shops people donate books all the time to thrift stores! take some time to go through the shelves next time you are at a second hand shop. the more worn the book, the better! it shows it was loved and appreciated. there is nothing better than a book that has some wear and tear.
- your library of course, this seems an obvious one. i think often times overlooked is our local library. i know i personally love to have my own collection, especially with books i absolutely love. however, what better way to get the chance to borrow a good read at no cost to you?
- the front shelves at your fave book stores you know the ones i am referring to. if you must get your fiction at the big time shops, you really must shop the front few shelves. borders has them, barnes & noble has them. the infamous clearance aisles. in fact i got the wedding (n. sparks) on clearance at borders for $2.99! Gasp!
- create a friendship library i must give props on this one to my mama. she came up with the idea, and although it is not entirely a new one, i think it is something we should all take part in at one point or another. share books between friends, even those who have different tastes than you. allow others the opportunity to enjoy your latest read, then go ahead and branch out into a new world of reading with something from their shelf. you just might be surprised at what joy you can get out of stepping away from your comfy zone (aka: favorite genre) :)
i would encourage you, if you aren’t already, to fall in love with reading. allow yourself to get lost in a book! take time for yourself, and simply read.
do you have a favorite place to get your books? anything you would recommend to others? i’d love to know what you have been reading!
