I’ve always had a love affair with books ever since I could read. When I was in grammar school (as it was called then back in the day on my Island), I had a talent for reading and spelling. Those two were my favourite subjects. Give me any book and I could read the words, tell you what it is about and could complete the spelling test faster than anyone in my class.
As I got older I my love of books continued as I discovered mystery novels like Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys and The Bobbsie Twins! I spent many a long summer day lying in bed or on the veranda soaking up the words from the book I was reading. I got as involved with the plots as they enfolded. My mom had to drag me away from them to do my chores. And as soon as I was finished, back to the book I would go!
Then as I became a teenager I discovered the world of Romance Novels. I must admit those novels lead to me being the romantic I am today. I enjoyed reading about the gallant hero or the dashing fellow who won the heart of the woman he loved and she him. I didn’t just like romance with kissing and stuff like that, there had to be a story behind it, that’s what made it exciting for me!
Non fiction and fiction books were added to my repertoire as I continued to read stories of adventures, westerns (my dad loved westerns!) and science fiction (my mom). On my own I discovered magazines, those glossies with the beautiful pictures of clothing and furniture depending on which magazine I was perusing.
I used to be able to read a book in one day. Since becoming a mom my reading time has lessen somewhat. I find less time to read because of work and my children. However that hasn’t stopped me from reading, not at all! It however takes me a lot longer to complete a book or even a magazine these days but I can’t let that affair with reading die.
I passed on the love of books to my children. I read their first book to them before they were even born. And at birth as soon as we settled into a routine at home I would read colorful story books to each of them. As they grow older they retained the love of books.
My oldest girl is still reading, all sorts of books and magazines. She has a lot of posters from magazines pasted all over her room. I remember when I went through that phase! She has a book shelf in her room with books she has read and is currently reading. Stacked on the floor of her room are books she’s reading on things that interests her. My son also loves to read. He loves to read comics and stories of adventures, especially about his beloved interests, Pokemon, Megamon, Transformers, Yugiho and any of those Japanese inspired animaes! My 3 year old’s current craze are her coloring books and any Disney themed books with her favourite stories. She even loves to look at my magazines!
I keep adding books to be read to my “To be read” list. I even added one this morning, David Sedaris's New York Times bestseller, Dress Your Kids in Corduroy and Jeans. I heard it’s hysterical and a good summer read (even though Summer is almost over)!
I finally completed reading “Cooking for Mr. Latte” written by Amanda Hesser! I had fun reading it. It was about a food lover (Ms. Hesser) her job (she’s a food writer for a magazine), her courtship with her guy Tad whom she calls Mr. Latte because he loved to drink Latte’s and cooking recipes for meals she either cooked at home with or for her friends, her family, or from restaurants they ate out at. They even went on a trip to Italy, Tuscany to be exact, she, her boyfriend, parents and her grandmother. I hope to visit Tuscany myself one day! I highly recommend this book if you enjoy a light read.
I’m currently unto NOW – No Opportunity Wasted – How to create a list for the life you want by Phil Keoghan (he hosts a program of the same name on the Discovery Channel, I’ve never seen it though) and he’s also the host for The Amazing Race series! I didn’t even know that he co-wrote a book. I bumped into it at the library last weekend!
Reading will always remain one of my guilty pleasures in life. Where I can go off to Tuscany, the Orients, or anywhere else for that matter; I can learn new things, re-discover things about myself and even stuff I never knew! I laugh, cry or hold my breath in expectation because of a book I’m reading.
I love books and my love affair will continue for a very long time!