I love to read!
Maybe I’m strange to confess this, since the world we live in is a technological one with a generation of young men and women whose favorite source of entertainment is the PC. Rarely, do I see “reading” listed as a hobby, instead I know their eyes prefer to be glued to a LCD display where sound and visual stimuli enchant our sons and daughters with its instant gratification. No longer do they take flight of fancy on the wings of a imagination to create worlds from their vivid imaginations.
I love to read!
For me, reading is not only a source of entertainment, but a place where I could escape from the drudgery of life and the crazy f%%% up world we live in.
I read all genres. I love the thrill of action-adventure and the intensity of suspense, but the passion of romance continues to compel me with its ability to make me feel good about life and myself. In my world of romance, I am able to journey to places I can only dream of visiting. I’ve sailed along the canals of Venice, skied on the slopes of the Alps, and danced under a crescent Paris moon.
I’ve always seen a book as a story of an individual’s journey of self-discovery. In the stories I write, I want to introduce readers to heroes and heroines who are just like they are, imperfect and slightly flawed, who because of circumstances in their lives are forced to confront who they are. I expect to see them develop as characters who we can admire and aspire to be like. I want my characters to be good people.
I’m still one of those individuals who believe that a person’s life is made better and richer when he or she discovers the joy of reading. I’m sure those of you who are reading this BLOG have experienced the thrill that comes when you turn the first pages of that book you just purchased in the bookstore a few minutes ago. Sitting there in the parking lot, you’re already reading the first chapter eager to devour “just-a-tiny-bit” of the latest Nora Roberts or Brenda Jackson before head on home.
I’m one who believes that we were destined to be readers. Unfortunately, not everyone feels that way. Sadly, they don’t know what they’re missing.
I love to read!! Don’t you?
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I recently had the opportunity to witness a non-reader realize that she was a reader and loved the process of going through a book and discovering.
YEAH! I’m never without a book in hand, and my 7 y.o. is the same way. She reads constantly, so I’m raising her right.
My husband’s family wasn’t raised to be a reading family, and only one of them actually reads on a regular basis (not my hubby). I find that sad.
I tell my DD that if you can read, you can learn anything, travel anywhere, and see things you never thought possible.
She agrees.
I work with someone who only reads if it’s work-related about about improving herself, and I think “how sad”. She has a bit of a high stress level, and I think reading for pleasure and getting lost in different worlds would do her a lot of good.
I think reading has kept me sane sometimes, and lets me escape life’s more troubling moments, at least for a little while. And I love how excited and energized a story can be – reading books and buying them is such a high.
I do consider it sad when a person has never discovered the joy of reading. Ironically, I teach literature, and I always feel annoyed when most of the books students have to read is the depressing heavy stuff. Kills their desire to read…and they’re totally lost for life.
That’s why I love romance. It’s takes me aways for the depressed stories that we consider “proper” literature.
wj
Wayne, my mom says I basically learned to read by myself at age three because I was tired of waiting for storytime. I wanted books read when I wanted them!
So it saddens me when I see teens ordering books on CD, because so many find reading ‘boring.’ I’m very thankful that the public library continues to be a primary source of entertainment for my family, and my young teens are constantly finding new authors they’re excited about.
The joy of reading is one of the greatest gifts we can give our children. Mine came from my parents and I can only hope we pass this love to our son.
Neither of my in-laws are readers yet they encouraged all their children to read–books were always part of birthdays and Christmas and still are, 3 of their 4 are avid readers, including my DH.
Cultivate it young and hopefully it takes.
My mom claims that she hasn’t read a book in 4 years. As my dad is the same way, I have no idea where I got my love of reading.
I start to get twitchy if I go more than a week or so without reading something.
Mrs. Permoda my 5th grade teacher wrote this phrase on the board, “There is no Frigate like a Book.” While I was much to young to appreciate Emily Dickinson, I never forgot her reading the poem and explaining what a frigate was. You can go anywhere and be anything when you have a book in your hands. I was a convert for life.
I believe that reading is the key to a great education. If you’ve learned how to read, the world, and everything in it, is at your fingertips. All that potential…unlocked!
And yes, I LOVE to read and I LOVE books. It’s unfortunate that not everyone does.
I love to read. There are books everywhere in this house. And my kids love to read and spend their evenings in bed going through storybooks and picture books. It is great!!!
Beautifully said, Wayne!
Wayne, think you’re safe to admit that here…
Wayne,
It always saddens me to hear people say they don’t read. One my greatest joys was finally finding a genre my younger sister enjoyed. She wasn’t a reader, then I introduced her to Zane and she’s been hooked every since.
I think everyone is a reader, they just haven’t found the genre that’s caught their attention.
Great post, Wayne! I love to read too. In fact, as I try to navigate my life as a writer with my love for reading it get’s a little hectic. I just realized that is I had to choose between the two, reading or writing, I’d be hard pressed. I don’t think I could give up either one. Thanks for making me think of my growing too-be-read pile.
Gwyneth
That’s one reason that I get so excited about the blog phenom. The first blogs were all written word heavy and here we have millions of people not only reading blogs but writing them!
Not to mention the move from voice to text messaging. Sure, not the traditional classic novel being read but still reading. From there, its only a few steps to a juicy new romance novel.
‘Course its up to us to help with the transition. Ensure that our writing styles and material reflect these newer generations. Bait the sweet reading trap so to speak.
I recently had a friend tell me that she doesn’t read. I was totally floored! I can’t imagine not reading. To me it’s more than the story, it’s the smell and they they feel in my hands. I love ebooks, but unfortunately it’s not the same thing.
I’m a huge reader, which I inherited from my mom & grandmother. My mom used to read to me and my little brother from the time I could remember. It stuck with me but not my brother.
I can’t imagine getting thru my teen years without reading. When I think about it, it makes me shudder. I’m 30 now and I buy new books whenever I can. It’s harder as an adult because you’ve got to find the time to do so.
My nephew is 7 months old and my mom takes care of him while my SIL works. She has said that she’d going to read to him as soon as he’s able to understand what it is in the books.
My best friend’s daughter loves to read too, so we talk about books we’ve read and share. It gives me a little thrill inside.
Amen, Wayne!
Yes, I love to read! Sometimes, I find amazing role models in fiction. Yes, it’s ‘just’ fiction, but … it can be so much more. Hope when you’re down, a dose of strength to keep you going when things get tough, and an inspiration!
And you know what, some books are so good, that they’re even friends.
I so shouldn’t say this.. but my favorite thing to read as a child was the encylopedia. Which has been replaced with a wikipedia obsession. I can spend 4 or 5 hours just going from link to link to link.
It’s addictive!
LOL, Isabella! When I was a kiddo, I read encyclopedias, too. Even when I’d go to a party at another child’s house, I’d hole up in her parents’ living room and read their encyclopedias.
I wouldn’t want to imagine life without books.