I love books!
As part of our move, I gave away boxes of books as we packed. Then as we unpacked, I’ve given away more boxes. It pains me because these books are like friends. I know the authors, I love the characters, and I have to believe I’m sending them on to better friends. The latest boxes have gone to a church library that had grown a wee bit dated because of a lack of new books. That has me giddy as I think about all the authors who will be discovered by these new-to-them readers.
That got me thinking about why I love books. Why is reading like an addiction to me? I have to read just like I have to breath. It’s just part of who I am.
1) I love books because they transport me to another world. When I open the cover, I can disappear into another time and place. I love the smell, the feel, the experience of reading.
2) I love books because I always learn something. I’m one of those life-long learners. While I don’t love reading non-fiction (maybe because I read so much of it to the kids), I do like to learn something while I’m reading. A good book lets me do that.
3) I love books because they make me more sympathetic toward other people and the situations they are living. When I read, I am thrust into the head of a character who may be experiencing life in a way far different from mine. That increases my EQ when it comes to seeing someone else’s perspective. That’s a good thing.
4) I love books because they create a shared experience. There’s nothing quite like talking about a good book with another book lover. Learning about how they viewed a story, characters, etc. I’m always amazed at what they may have seen that I never in a million years expected to see. I am enriched through that experience.
5) I love books because they expand who I am. I’m currently reading Anne of Green Gables aloud to my children. I adored Anne with an E as a young woman, and now I get to share that delight with my kids. At the same time I’m rediscovering the language and way of writing that had me so entranced by the book as a young teen. I am Anne with an E. Growing up I was Anne to my friend’s Diana. It shaped our friendship. And that shaped me. All because I read a book and fell in love with a character.
I could go on and on about why I love books, but now I’d love to hear what you treasure about books.
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Books became my friends at a very early age. I discovered by reading I could be transported to safe and wonderful places. I could live in the pages as a child who is treated with love, instead of trying to cope with the reality that was my life.
I’m so glad books became an escape for you, Jamie, but so sorry that was necessary!
I love books for all the reasons you mentioned. Almost all of my print copies have been donated to my church library and over the past several years, our “reading audience” has grown beyond expectations. I too, love shared conversations about books with others who love to read. Our one church book club has turned into two, and there is no end in sight!
Love that giving the books to the church increased the “reading audience”. Authors love and appreciate that. And there’s something special about those shared conversations.
Great post, Cara. I grew up thinking of books as my friends… and they still are.
I think I reread so many because they do seem like friends to me.
“There’s nothing quite like talking about a good book with another book lover. Learning about how they viewed a story, characters, etc. I’m always amazed at what they may have seen that I never in a million years expected to see. I am enriched through that experience.” So true, Cara!
I love hearing from readers about the ways that my books have impacted them because no two ways are alike. Sometimes I’m even thinking, “Wow? THAT’S how that spoke to you? Huh!” I think this variety of experience with the same novel reveals how God’s power can minister to readers through books with great diversity and specificity. Sometimes even through dialogue or subplots or minor characters that an author didn’t realize would/could mean so much. 🙂
I love that, Becky! I’ve had that same experience with readers. That’s one reason I love participating in book clubs when they’re talking about one of my books. It’s such an eye-opener to the way God takes what I’ve written and applies it to the readers in ways I never imagined.
When I was younger I was lonely… And I loved the feeling I got when I read Pollyanna.. A feeling that I’m not alone. She lifts your spirits with the “glad game” and makes you realize that you’re not so unfortunate as you may think; she was orphaned and was send to live with an aunt that was harsh and sometimes unlovable. Pollyanna made me not only a reader but also a book lover!
Yes, Pollyanna was a great book for that. I love how that story created a book lover in you, Halee.
Among my earliest memories are going to the North Branch of the Green Bay library and straight to the children’s section. I’ve never lost that love of libraries (I even have a Master’s of Library Science degree) or the love of getting lost in a good story.
Isn’t it amazing how that love that’s created as a child is often life-long?
I’d pretty much say ditto to your comments, Cara. I love to read because I get to go places and do things in the pages of a book that I will never get to experience outside those pages. Today I will be in Colorado recovering from the Civil War. After I recover from the war, I think I will be traveling to England to right some wrongs. My schedule is pretty full.
I love that. Right now I’m in Gilded Age New York City. Yesterday I was on Roanoke Island. Tomorrow? Well, it all depends on the book I pick up.
I loved this post, Cara, thanks for sharing your thoughts with us! I am a book lover, too, and feel most happy as I go about my daily activities if I am currently in the middle of a great book. Then I can think about it, remember favorite parts, and anticipate what will come next (if I have the self-control not to peek ahead!), until I have a chance to continue reading it.
I am currently reading ‘Not By Sight’ by Kate Breslin, and it is definitely one of those books that keeps my imagination busy even when I’m not reading it. 🙂
On the downside of being a book lover, it can be an expensive love! I have discovered that blogging and reviewing free books is a good way to get past that, though… 🙂
Not By Sight is next on my TBR pile. Can’t wait to dive into it.
Great post, Cara. I love books because when I’m surrounded by all the wonderful stories I’ve read or I plan to read, I feel safe. I grew up on a farm so reading became my guilty pleasure. It took me away from the chaos of each day and the loneliness of being the youngest of seven children. Books taught me the things my family couldn’t teach me. I still learn from books. I love escaping to another time and place for just a few hours. I can’t imagine my life without reading books. Books are about education and elegance and God’s beautiful earth. They are also about life and death and love and tragedy and human nature. We are blessed by books 🙂
“Books are about education and elegance and God’s beautiful earth. They are also about life and death and love and tragedy and human nature.” I love that, Lenora!
I absolutely feel the same way about reading books. I absolutely love to read. Thanks for your thoughts and for conveying my feelings exactly.
Thanks for stopping by, Dana!
I love books too–for the reasons you listed and they allow me to meet so many more people! I LOVE meeting new people! My adult kids will tell you that I’ve never met a stranger! And, I’ve been blessed to meet many people THIS SIDE of heaven! (Yes, I’m looking forward to meeting JESUS, & then all the others in heaven!)
I love the way I meet so many people through books. My kids and I are reading about William Wilberforce right now. Such a great man and so good to learn and be challenged by him thanks to a book.
I love this post. I don’t think I’ve really ever fully listed the reasons why I love books. To me, I just do, but after reading your post, I agree with everything, except the part about non-fiction. I enjoy any kinds of books, fiction, non-fiction…etc. Sometimes I need a good fiction to take me to another world. There are times non-fiction such as a biography opens my eyes to others, and then there’s the usual children’s books I also like to keep my find young, and bring a smile to my face. Thanks for sharing this post!
One thing I’ve realized as I think about this, is that I read so much nonfiction to my kids, that may be why I don’t read a lot of it for pleasure. As a kid I inhaled biographies. And I love the nonfiction research for my novels.
I love books because I can escape for hours into another place in time and geography. I am ill right now and pretty much home bound, so reading fills all those long hours.
I love books because they carry me to faraway places and times! They are like old friends to me!