It is sensational to develop a love of reading at a young age and to nurture it throughout life. Books can both be friends and help you make friends. Books can be something to love and teach you how to love. I love to read because books offer endless possibilities.
I love to read for too many reasons to count, so I shall share just a few of them. I like to read because books have always given me:
- adventure
- company
- education
- opportunity
- pleasure
When I was a child, children’s television shows taught me that reading is fundamental. Today, Dora the Explorer teaches my children that if they want to learn something, they should “take a look in a book.” I have always found books to be a source of adventure. The first adventure story I remember from my childhood was Dr. Seuss’ And to Think That I Saw It On Mulberry Street. I liked hearing the story the child created about wondrous adventures on the way home from school. As a teenager I fell in love with The Bourne Identity and its sequels. When I become a young woman and moved into my own apartment, I lived alone for the first time in my life. Things were so quiet. I read books then because they kept me company. The characters in the books sometimes became friends that kept me company and made living alone seem not quite as scary
As a student in college and law school, most of my reading was for educational purposes. I read to learn about organizational behavior, managerial economics, torts and contracts law. My reading had a purpose, a point. There were definite things I had to get out of each book I read. There was information I needed to obtain so that I could pass tests, write papers, draft briefs. I read in order to learn, to be educated. As a sole practitioner attorney and entrepreneur most of my reading was for opportunity. I tried to find opportunities for my law practice, my clients and their businesses. I looked for internal and external opportunities.
Now, I am at a stage in life where I still read for adventure, education and opportunity, but I make sure to make time to read for pleasure. I read things for the sheer pleasure of having the words roll around in my mind, creating pictures that only I see and appreciate. I enjoy reading or pleasure because it is relaxing, enjoyable and just plain nice. This is really my favorite time in my life for reading because I can read for pleasure more than I was ever able to do as a younger woman. At the same time, because I am older and more experienced, there are more things that give me pleasure when I read them.
I developed my love of reading as a young child and have spent the past 42 years since nurturing my love of books. So, the question for you this sensational day is why do you love to read?
I’m a big ole know it all (obviously), so reading fills me, truly. I read everything, too! The thing is, lately, I haven’t been able to focus to complete a whole lot of stuff. Except, of course, for the Bible. I’ve been reading whole Bible books at a time, and it is truly keeping me engaged. Maybe it says something for where I am in life right now?
Yes, fantasy is a good one. Books allow us to indulge in fantasy in a safe and fun way.
Girl, me and you both! I love to read and don’t get to it as often as I’d like anymore but I try to make time to get it in at least once a month. And when I start reading a GOOD book, I’ll be up all night finishing it! Oh and I’ll add one more item to your list above – fantasy. Reading (esp fiction) takes me out of my element and into another world to visit and enjoy. 🙂