Thursday, September 15, 2011

Grateful for books....


I love reading. I just love it. I think it is one of the things that keeps me sane. I have always been a big reader.I love the escapism of reading, the space that it gives me.

I remember going to the library and reading in lunch breaks on days when my friends were being mean in primary school. I also remember countless times when Mum would ask me to do something, and I would say "Just let me finish this chapter," and then I'd read three more! I think I used to frustrate the life out of her but she was very patient with me.

Obviously my baby is a good sleeper because I will quite happily stay up at night for extra time to read... I'm not sure that this habit will be able to continue as my family grows and my tiredness increases.  But even then I still love reading, I have to be very tired before I will not pick up a book for at least 5 minutes before bed. I will even forgo sleep for reading! I also tend to watch very little TV because I would rather read a good book. But I just love the way it clears my head and helps me to switch off.

I rarely have more than one book on the go. I like to finish one before I start another. I am the kind of person that will read almost anything. I enjoy romantic/comedy/fluff books because they require absolutely nothing of me, and they can be reasonably easy to put down. I love fantasy/adventure series and enjoy thriller/mystery books (as long as they're not too gory) and I also love biographies and histories.  I have trouble with study or informative books though... I'd much rather read a story. It is rare for me to not finish a book, even if it's pretty bad I still want to find out what's happened.

I read quite fast. I'm not trying to boast, but it's just a fact. I remember when I got hold of the last Harry Potter book, I started it in the afternoon after I finished work at 4:00pm in the afternoon and finished the book at 1:00am the following morning and I think I did absolutely nothing else in between, just 9 solid hours of reading. When a book is fantastic I have a lot of trouble putting it down and often read well into the night just to finish it.

Take this week for instance. I went to library last week and got some new books out. Last Friday I got six books that I've never read before.  A Jodi Picoult (Vanishing Act), three books by Nicholas Sparks (Dear John, The Lucky One, The last song) one by Sophie Kinsella (Confessions of a Shopaholic), and a Bryce Courtenay novel (Brother Fish). They were not the type of books (for me) that I had to devour, but I have stayed up quite late for a few nights just to have uninterrupted reading time. I have now read all of them except for Brother Fish and am currently on page 71 of Brother Fish. But I know that it will probably take me a couple of days to get through that, as Bryce Courtenay's books are always so packed with information. His books are not the kind of books (for me at least) that I can just read without stopping, they take time to process.

I just love words. My whole family has always been like that, especially my Mum. She had to give up reading when we were younger as she said she used to hide from us kids when she got a really good book. I can see myself having to do the same thing. But I don't know if I could stop reading, maybe if I only read books that I've read before and that are easier to put down?

I am very, very grateful for words. I am grateful that I have the ability to read well, and have so many good books available. I am grateful for the escape and the comfort that reading gives me. Today is RUOK? Day, and I know that for me personally, reading is one of the things that helps keeps me okay. Reading gives me an out, it helps me from being in my own head too much and over-thinking.

What about you? What is one of the things that keeps you ok?

Linking up with Kate for Thankful Thursdays.

11 comments:

  1. Oh I miss reading books. I co-sleep with my little two and at the moment reading in bed (my favourite place) is pretty much impossible.

    I am looking forward to going away in a week and taking some books with me, and actually getting to read them without the distraction of the interwebs lol.

    Thanks for joining in :)

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  2. Reading is also something I love.

    I'm just getting back into reading after having a break because I just lost all interest!

    Goodluck with that last book there.

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  3. I love reading too, or at least the concept of it, reading books seems like a luxury I don't get to partake in very much any more.

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  4. Oh god I so miss the days when I still had time to read. I so want that now :(

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  5. Reading (and writing) has been my career, so I've always had a great love for books. But I must admit, I don't read as many books as I'd like now. The Kobo eReader has been great for getting me back into it.

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  6. I haventnread a book for the longest time. I get so absorbed in them, it's not good for the family.
    Have you read the Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons? It was the las book I read that I couldnt put down. History and fiction combines. Brilliant!

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  7. I have to admit this post made me a little sad - or maybe wistful os a better word. I used to be like you. I didn't read fast (that's my vision impairment) but I devoured books almost to the exclusion of anything else. Then I had children. Now it's so hard to get time to read in peace and often when I find time, i also find I'm so tired that I want to fall asleep or cannot maintain concentration. I'm happy for you, though! Reading is truly wonderful!

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  8. Have to look that one up Jess- I'm always on the lookout for new ones. But if it's one you couldn't put down I'll have to be careful about when I start it! Nice to see so many bookworms here... I thought there might be a few in the blogosphere. :) I am making the most of the fact that I can read now (I must admit that while having Shane away is hard, it does mean I get an awful lot of time to read!)

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  9. I, too, love reading. LOVE it. Fortunately now I'm back at work I get at least 1 hour 20 minutes reading time on work days - on the train there and back. I've recently read a Sophie Kinsella book called Twenties Girl. Better than the Shopaholic books I think. Check it out if you like Shopaholic... Love Jodi Picoult too!

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  10. I am EXACTLY the same about reading! It is my biggest addiction. I will forgo sleep, sex and chocolate for the sake of a good book. Even a mediocre book, I'm ashamed to say.
    And I too read almost anything. Sometimes I just want something light and easy (Sophie Kinsella has been fitting that bill lately - I think you'll like Shopaholic), but I also get very wrapped up in thrillers and fantasy stories.
    I don't read quite as much as I used to as the library here is shite so I have to buy books (second hand or cheap as ebooks, thankfully, but still, was better when I had a fantastic library at my disposal). I used to fill up my card and my husband's with stuff I wanted to read.

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Thanks for stopping by, I would so love to hear your thoughts!

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