My Love of Reading

When I decided to start a blog, I wanted to include with it book discussions, because reading is at the top of my hobbies. I remember far back into my childhood reading and writing stories, both some of the most fulfilling things in my life.

As a kid, I tore through my small grade school library and had a library card to the beautiful old library in our town.  I remember especially loving stories about siblings (since I didn’t have any), biographies (especially about sports stars), and the Little House series. I was in 5th grade when I read Rocky, finishing it during class (stuck inside a textbook, no doubt) and shedding tears at the intensity of the moment.

Like most readers, I love the escapism of reading. Along with music, reading is a major stress reliever. It allows me to travel around the world and to other worlds. When my husband and I spent so much time apart while he was in the Navy, I would tuck into some good romance novels to keep me company until he was back home safe.

If I am honest, romance is my genre. I used to sneak my mom’s paperback “bodice rippers” as a kid, even though I didn’t always know exactly what was going on. I do think reading so many romances shaped my view of love and relationships. Besides having great role models in my parents, who were each other’s everything every day they were together, I remember reading about dramatic relationships with characters who would sacrifice anything for each other (picture “The Gift of the Maji,” with Fabio as the lead), and to this day, I’d choose a romance over any other genre.

However, there are way too many books out there to limit yourself, so I have worked hard to step out of my comfort zone and read things I wouldn’t normally read. I have been involved in a number of book clubs over the years, but honestly, until about 3 years ago, all of them truly were an excuse to gather and drink wine (most common utterances at these meetings – “Don’t talk about the book, I haven’t finished it yet.”)  I joined a local club that is made up of strangers who gather just to discuss the book chosen for that month. While the decision process is not a democracy, the opportunity to read something I wouldn’t normally choose is great.

Not every choice is a winner – for instance, one of the founders of this book club was a huge sci-fi fan (not my fave genre), and one of the first books I read with the group was Sleeping Giants. It featured teal robots with giant boobs and a male and female pilot who have some serious cliched dialogue and sexual tension. I hated it. But I finished it and stayed with the club. I’m so glad I did, for it was because of an assigned reading from this book club that I discovered Fourth Wing.

I will go into detail about this book (and series) in the future, but this is a book I would never in a million years have chosen, and I absolutely loved it. I’m so glad I gave something so different for me a chance. It really helped me realize taking a chance in reading is so worth it.

And before I wrap up – two opinions from the world according to The Happy Meemaw:

-              It is OK to not finish a book. Life is too short to read books you don’t enjoy (see: Sleeping Giants)

-              Consuming a book, whether by hard copy, electronic device, or audio recording, is consuming a book. They are all the same. And why anyone judges people for how they consume written material is beyond me.

I hope you enjoy the books and their reviews I share in the future. In return, please feel free to share books with me. You can also find me on Goodreads @Jeron Hayes.