Books

I love reading books. I have never stopped to think about why that is. It must just be something in my genes because I know a lot of people that hate reading anything that doesn’t say “Menu” at the top.

Ever since I was about 7 years old, I can remember being very excited when the bookmobile would be making a stop at my school.

There I would be, anxiously looking through tables of books, the money my mother had given me held tightly in my hand. A big smile on my face as I perused the titles and read the cover flaps.

As soon as I had made my choices and completed the transaction I could hardly wait to get home and read my new books. Hardly. Wait.

I cannot remember the first book I ever read from cover to cover but I do remember who got me interested in reading books. My older sister had a good friend that came to live with us for about six months. Calling her an “avid reader” was an understatement. She brought along with her piles and piles of books when she moved in. She even kept a handwritten record of every book she had ever read in her life. “Anal retentive” was also an understatement to describe her, but the family loved her anyway.

She is the one credited with getting me going. I remember her telling me that every book has a story or some important information to tell you and whether it be knowledge that the book is imparting to you or just helping to pass the time, books are to be read. She also said that you should always read a book from start to finish because you won’t know how good or bad it is until the end.

The first big author I recall reading was Stephen King. In the late 70’s and for 20 years after I read every single thing that man wrote. Back in the day, his early stories really had a feel to them, a flow. After a while his words became familiar to me, like an old friend you only see once in a while but know well.

I have a very good friend that reads electronic books. She has been trying her very damnedest to get me involved in that whole movement but I just cannot seem to engage.

When she talks to me about it she uses words like “fictionwise.com” and “moby” and “reader” and “kindel”. Half the time I think she is speaking Chinese or I am as lost as I would be if she was.

Today I went to a website she gave me and I tried, I really tried. I just could not get into it. It felt more like work to be reading something on my computer screen then to be lounging back on my sofa with pillows all around me and a lamp gently peeking over my shoulder.

It’s not that I don’t get the concept of electronic books. I mean I understand that there are plenty of upsides to them. Like for instance being able to carry an entire library of books with you wherever you travel, or carrying a small electronic device in your pocketbook, more room for all the other crap I already carry. I totally get that you download them immediately, faster than standing in line at Borders to buy the hard copy, not to mention that electronic books are usually cheaper.

I just have always loved the feel of a book. The weight of it in my hands, the smell of the print on paper. Whether it is a paperback or a hardcover, I always look forward to settling in a comfy chair and getting lost in a good book.

There have been countless good books I’ve read over my lifetime. Just to name a few in no particular order would be:

Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand (it will take you 6 months to read it but it’s worth it)

The Stand by Stephen King (I could and have read this numerous times)

The Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M Auel (the whole series actually)

Incarnations of Immortality (The series) by Piers Anthony (this guy writes like “da bomb”)

The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins (this one makes you go hmmmm)

Requiem for the Devil by Jeri Smith-Ready (quick read but humorous)

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott (yes I cried all through this fucker)

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak (shut up)

The Hobbit by J.R.R Tolkien (this was one of the first books I remember ever reading)

The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger (I read this before it was required in school, it was worth it)

Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell (yes, I know, but it’s way better than the movie)

Anne Frank by Anne Frank (school turned me on to this story and wow what a story)

I’m leaving out a ton of good ones but I was recalling this list by memory. Those were a few that came to mind quickly.

Currently I’m reading a series called The Black Dagger Brotherhood, by J. R. Ward. It’s an erotic paranormal romance and man-o-man can that chick write. I find myself laughing out loud and occasionally sniffing back a few tears. Who would have thought that a book about vampires could make that happen? Not me.

So I feel I must apologize to my friend. I don’t think I’ll ever make the jump to green reading. I do unplug my toaster and cell phone charger though, so I think that balances out my carbon footprint for continuing to buy books.

I hope anyway.