Hello. Cate here to talk about being an unashamed bookaholic.
The first time I saw this quote was on a tote bag at Barnes & Noble.
I laughed.
Maybe I shouldn't have. It's way too true!
My mother once told met she worried that if it came to a choice between buying books or feeding my children, she wasn't sure which I'd choose. She was only kidding. (I think!)
I have to admit it, I have a total addiction to books - buying them, reading them, surrounding myself with them, writing them. I still have to pinch myself about that last one.
My husband and I enable each other. Our version of date night is Saturday mornings at Barnes & Noble. If it's really special, we'll go to a different one out of our neighborhood. Maybe that's why we're still married after 32 years.
*sigh*
It's hopeless.
When our children were young, their friends would come to our house to research school projects. Many the conversation began with, "Daddy, do you have a book about...?"
The answer was usually yes. At least one.
Now that my youngest is enrolling in grad school to become a teacher, I get, "Mom, do you have a book about...?"
That makes me happy. Again, the answer is usually yes. At least one.
As a teacher, the nicest compliment I get is when parents tell me their children come out of my class loving to read. SCORE!
But it also makes me wonder.
What makes someone a reader?
Or is it who?
Do you know?
I'm presuming if you're here, it's because you love books too.
Why?
Are you addicted?
I guess I'm rambling. I could go on forever about books - about The Happy Hollisters that arrived in the mail each month when I was in 3rd grade, or (shameful confession) the girl I befriended in 5th grade because she had a complete set of Nancy Drew.
I spent way too many college hours reading historical romances when I was supposed to be studying.
I've lost many hours of sleep because I couldn't put the book down.
I saw this on Etsy.
I'm wouldn't sat they scare me, but I definitely don't understand.
Except for people who struggle to read. One of the reasons I trained to teach children with reading disabilities is because I can't imagine missing out on the joy of stories because reading is just too hard. I hope I can help change that for some of my students.
So, let's talk books today.
What do you love about them?
Why do you read?
Do you have a childhood favorite? A book that made you a reader for life?
Are you ready to join this club?
Posts
Hi Cate! I've read for as long as I can remember. My mom said I memorized a book when I was a toddler and would "read" it aloud to her. When I was a librarian, my favorite part of the day was opening a box of new books. The smell of fresh paper and ink. The covers. The excitement over the stories that would be inside. Ahhhh. All that explains the overflowing bookshelves in my house. Though I learned to add books, I've always had a terrible time weeding them. Love your "date night"!
ReplyDeleteLOL! My mother used to say she envisioned me as an adult with my house falling down around me while I was in my room sprawled on my bed reading. She was off. I usually read on our recliner couch, while my husband reads in his recliner chair.
ReplyDeleteAh, a fellow book addict. About once a year my husband looks at my entire wall of books and my office shelves filled to the max and says, "Isn't it time to donate some of these?" Sigh. It's hard to do and then I regret the ones that are gone!
ReplyDeleteI posted on my FB this morning about taking a novel with me to the storm cellar! The power of books is amazing.
I used to be that person, but writing has cut into my reading time. I miss it.
ReplyDeleteI love to read, but being a Forest Service kid who lived on several different ranger stations, I didn't always have a library nearby. When I did, I would check out the maximum number of books allowed each time, snuggle up on my bottom bunk bed and travel to other places via story. I loved the Little House books, Nancy Drew, Beverly Cleary stories, Harriet the Spya, the Bobbsey Twins and more.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a little older, I fell in love with Little Women. I cried when Beth died and when Jo turned down Laurie's proposal. I still have the tear-stained hardback copy of that book, which I bought with $10 of hard-earned allowance money.
During my teen years, I discovered the sweet, squeaky clean Harlequin romances of the 1970s. My mom would take my sisters and me to the used bookstore, where we each bought ten for a dollar. I'd read my stack and swap with my mom and sisters. As I read, I dreamed of writing sweet romances like that for Harlequin. Forty years later, that dream came true. =)
Thanks, everyone for sharing your book love.
ReplyDeleteChristine, I gave out new copies of a book we would be reading to my class the other day. A number of them held the book close, inhaled, and made the same comment you did about the smell of a new book - fresh paper and ink.
Jean, you just reminded me of how I used to turn the vacuum on so it sounded like I was cleaning, but then I'd sit inside my closet reading.
Linda, I hate that you had to use your storm cellar, but I love that you thought to bring a book. Praying for clear, calm skies for you.
Merrillee, I share that problem. Plus there's the problem of having a hard time reading for enjoyment when you're conscious of the craft.
Keli, I remember my first job working in a department store. I had to take a bus to get there and I'd always arrive early so I could go into Woolworth's and buy Harlequins to read on my break. I probably spent as much as I earned.
Loved your post, Cate (a true kindred spirit, LOL). :)
ReplyDeleteAnd I am definitely a member of the "Reads past her bedtime" club - - in fact I often read into the wee hours of the morning (of course when I was still teaching school I couldn't stay up quite that late - - even though I wanted to!).
I think the main reason for my love of reading and books is because of my precious Mama (now in Heaven). When I was very young, the only kindergarten in our small town was in a church and cost money to attend. Since my parents couldn't afford to send me, my Mama spent lots of time with me--mostly reading. Even after I became older (6th and 7th grades) we'd read books together. Sweet memories!
Hugs, Patti Jo
PattiJo, I love your example. My mom used to read to me too. I was the oldest of 4, so she made time each night to read with me as our special time together since she was busy with the younger three all day.
ReplyDeleteThanks for prompting that memory.
My parents bought me books when i was young n i took it from there. For me its stress relief n the type of book differs pending on life sometimes i read suspense or love inspired or historical.
ReplyDelete