My Abiding Love of Reading #BookLoversDay
Today is designated #NationalBookLoversDay.
Are you a book lover? I sure am. I devour books and can’t sleep without first reading a chapter of whichever book I have on the go. I love reading book reviews and am addicted to the New York Times Book Review podcast.
As a child, I couldn’t read books fast enough and when I discovered libraries I was in seventh heaven. Imagine a place filled with shelves of stories to spark the imagination. Anne of Green Gables was one of my absolute favorite books when I was younger.
And once I’d read all of this series, I fell in love with Susan Coolidge’s What Katy Did series of books. I identified with Katy because she was a tall untidy tomboy, forever getting into scrapes but wishing to be beautiful and loved, which just about summed me up as a child.
I still love libraries and think they are magical places. I even trained as a librarian when I left college – though that career ultimately wasn’t the right one for me, I’ve never lost my passion for libraries.
When I was going through treatment I continued to read books but I was so sick I got no real enjoyment out of it. And because all my senses were heightened, I remember vividly reading a book by Tracy Chevalier and now whenever I see a book cover by her I am transported back to that time – and not in a good way. It’s the same thing with hand cream by L’occitane which I used when I was in the hospital. The smell of it still makes me feel nauseous.
But back to #NationalBookLoversDay. I think you can tell a lot by a person’s favorite choice of book. I am an eclectic reader but I am positively allergic to chick-lit as I am chick flicks ( I know I should love the Mama Mia movies, but nope not for me). I tend to return most often to crime thrillers, particularly Nordic-noir books. Right now I am reading The Son by Jo Nesbo.
This year my favorite book was Gail Honeyman’s Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, a moving, inventive story about a young woman set apart from society because of trauma. It was a wonderful read and I highly recommend it.
I remember when book clubs were a thing (are they still a thing?). I loved the idea of them and joined a virtual book club, but I soon realized I didn’t like the pressure to read the book of the month and come up with clever and insightful things to say about it afterward. I discovered that I am a solitary reader. It’s just me and the book and I like it that way.
So how about you? Do you enjoy reading? What has been your favorite book this year? I’d really love to hear about your reading choices. Do let me know in the comments below.
Oh Marie, I hear you and share so much of your experience. The library visit was the highlight of my week. I drained it dry. My mother used to tell a story of how there had been a downfall of soot from the chimney and I was covered in soot as I was reading my book and noticed nothing. I loved the Elinor Oliphant book, very original and thought provoking as well as funny and insightful. I’m always surrounded by books but this recovery has taught me the power of audiobooks as well. I’ve found them so helpful and relaxing. There is a book called Findings which I can r3commend to you. Written by a poet about travelling in Scotland. I think you would enjoy its language and subject. Happy reading and im with you on book groups!
Love Audrey
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Audrey thank you so much for the Findings recommendation. I am also really happy that you too enjoyed the Eleanor Oliphant book. I absolutely love that story of the soot coming down the chimney and you reading on regardless 🙂
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Hi Marie,
I love books too. I’m not sure what my favorite one is. Too hard to choose. My mom was a librarian, so we always had lots of books in the house. Right now, I’m on a John Sanford kick. He writes crime stories that take place in the area I grew up, so that’s part of the draw. Thanks for the recommendation. I have so many on my to-read list and since chemo, I’m a terribly slow reader. But who cares, right? At the moment, I’m tackling “The Gene” by Siddhartha Mukherjee, and let’s just say, it’s a bit over my head. But I am determined to get through it! And I am a solitary reader too. Thanks for the post. I should keep better track of these days. It’s nice that you do for us!
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