I love to read.
That's no surprise, I realize. But there are times when I'm reading a book, and I'm transported into another time and place, and I get to live in the skin of characters who I sometimes like and sometimes don't, and I'm reminded how much I love to read.
I learn from the characters. Sometimes, I want to be them. Other times, I'm thanking God I'm not. I envy their adventures. Their dreams. I like their clothes. I don't like their corsets. I love their hair. I don't like that they didn't wash it but maybe three times a year. Ewwwww... And not bathing every day? Don't even get me started.
I love that the world was a simpler place "back then." Not that it was easier, mind you. In many ways, it was far more difficult. But there was a simplicity in no telephones, no texting, no televisions, no 49,874 ways to get in touch with someone. And yet I love my iPhone.
I love punching a single button and speaking with someone across the country. Or the world. And yet one of the most powerful lines I've ever read in fiction is the last sentence from the epilogue in Francine Rivers' As Sure as the Dawn. Don't worry, no spoilers, I promise.
"And though none of them ever saw him again, they knew he was in God's hands––just as each of them was––and they were at peace."
I still get teary eyed when I read that, because the story comes back to me in a flood. All the character struggles, their victories, their losses. Their journeys. And I'm reminded why I love to read.
Why do you love to read?
And I'm not talking about what makes you pick up a book. But rather, what makes you love getting lost in a story? What––when it happens––reminds you that you love to read?
Tammy
Tammy, I love to read for the sheer pleasure and sense of opening the door to adventures that I never have or will experience.
ReplyDeleteI do learn so much from reading historicals like conduct of the day, dress, and surrounding conditions. I'm with you, Tammy, about the baths and corsets--no, thanks!
Suspense genres--motive, to peer into the mind of a suspect, etc.
When my children were young I read to them Dave and Neta Jackson's Trailblazer series (Love them!). It spurred us to research more on many people such as Harriet Tubman or Hudson Taylor, etc.
Oh, YES, I love to read!! When the characters get cold, scared, or have joy fill their hearts then I find my senses running through the same array of highs and lows. I love it when they work on my heart of thoughts of beliefs and I have to weigh where I will stand.
But when a book has endeared itself to my heart and it ends, well...*sniff... Then I know I will be reading it again, but until that time...Oh, look at this book over here...time to get cozy :-D
Being an only child for the first nine years of my life; reading gave me a chance to escape. To go on adventures.
ReplyDeleteTo pretend to be lost in the stories. As a child I loved to read books about characters who multiple siblings to pretend that I was part of their families. Books such as The Boxcar Children The Little House books.
Even now I pick up books to get lost in the story to go places I might not be able to go in real life.
I guess one of the reasons I love to read is because it's a grown-up way of playing "make-believe"--while I'm reading I can "become" another person and live their life. But I think the underlying main reason I LOVE to read is because I still have such fond memories of my precious Mama reading to me when I was a young child, and then when I was a little older I'd read aloud to her so we could enjoy stories together. Especially the classics like LITTLE WOMEN and REBECCA OF SUNNYBROOK FARM--oh, such precious memories. Those times of reading made such an impression on me, and in fact my 2 daughters are named from characters in both books: Amy and Rebecca! ~ Thanks for sharing today, sweet Tammy. Now to get my chores done so I can dive into READING! *smile* Hugs, Patti Jo
ReplyDeleteP.S. Ooops! Meant to add an update on our precious Rosie! She e-mailed me this morning and is still having bad headaches so must greatly limit her computer time. She's expecting company and will also be attending a nurses' conference, so she needs to feel better for that! She SO appreciates all the prayers. Blessings, PJ
ReplyDeletePatti Jo, thanks for the update. Will continue to pray!
ReplyDeleteWhy do I read? When I was in high school, we lived in a small town and I had no real friends, so reading became my escape. I could go on adventures and solve mysteries (I primarily read "The Babysitter's Club" and Nancy Drew books). To this day, when things are slow at work, I will run to the school library and check out a Nancy Drew I've not read in a while!
To echo Patti Jo, it's a great way to play make-believe...to travel to different countries and different time periods. It may be one of the reasons I love going to Renaissance festivals and making costumes...I'm still a child at heart!!
I love to read because it provides an avenue of escape to other places and time periods. The books I truly love are the ones where I'm able to taste the food the people are eating, smell what they're smelling, touch what they touch, and leave feeling as though I've walked in their shoes, if only for a few days.
ReplyDeleteI love to read because it allows me to "visit" the lives of other people...interestng people and of course "visit" interesting places too. As far back as I can remember I have loved to read. My Mom was an avid reader and read to me when I was a child. And we always had lots of books around the house, my dad thanks to my Dad, who would bring home books every week. My love for reading has passed down to my son and I see it now in my grandson.
ReplyDelete@ Rosie, praying for you my friend.
I read because I am so good at getting lost. (just put me in a car, and I'll prove the point!)
ReplyDeleteBut in a good book, I get lost in the time, the location, and the lives of the characters. Yes, it's the make-believe concept--I've heard it called the "place keeper" theory where the reader mentally replaces the protagonist and becomes that character.
Through good books, I've been through Alaskan snowstorms, hacked through the Amazon, been in prairie fires, and had a million children. I've made friendships, quilts, and prepared food that---please, Lord, in real life, I'll never have to eat.
My life is richer, sweeter, my walk with God is deeper because of books.
Who knew getting lost was so rewarding?
Cathy
Love your responses. Yes, to the getting lost in those other worlds. That's something we definitely have in common. And also the "bequeathing" the love of reading to our children. So important. Such a gift!
ReplyDeleteAppreciate you gals!
I liked your post and the pic of the reading woman, I have her in the room where I read and she shares space with a neice that is sitting reading also, I love to read and think it is because I dont get to travel much so this way I can go many places and my life has been a simple one and the characters do so many things that I wish I had done at one time or another. I am always giving books to the young children in family to encourage them to read.
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing.
Paula O(kyflo130@yahoo.com)
So glad we share the love for that picture, Paula. And I'm thanking God for your faithfulness. What an encouragement you are!
ReplyDeleteI have always been a reader. I love the adventure and going places with dear friends. I was right alongside Heidi and have always been visual as I journey with other characters along the way. Truth, trust, and the ability to persevere through trials and triumphs of life! I especially like historical fiction and appreciate the research authors do to place their characters within events/happenings and parts of themselves too. Life is for the living. I enjoy joining in with smiles and tears cheering them on.
ReplyDelete:) This was a great piece to read...also reminds us of how we came to write in the first place--we love getting lost in a great story, the journeys of fictional people who are really more like us than we realize...
ReplyDeleteI love to read because not only does any book I pick up, in some way, touch me, it makes me think, explore avenues I would'nt have thought of on my own...
My creativity is fueled by reading! That's not entirely true...the One who IS my constant inspiration & source for ALL, has given me the passion for reading, from a young age...& I count it as a beautiful gift.
We share so many reasons for the love of reading. A beautiful gift... Yes, indeed! Appreciate you all.
ReplyDelete