Another little blast from the archive past! Excuse me while I dive into my kindle…!
Reading a recent reblog by my favourite ape, Chris, made me think… (Yes, really! I do tend to think sometimes😜!)
The original post, from the blog Kawanee’s Korner, can be found here.
It was a quote about why I love to read…
It made me think of a few occasions when I wasn’t sure whether my love of books was normal…
From when I can recall, in my childhood, books were always an integral part of my upbringing. Whether it was stories that my mother read to us, or the books that I loved to read, to the piles of books by my mother’s bedside, and the shelves chock full of various titles, from fiction to non fiction, in the study.
I hated to be without a book. We would embark on many long car journeys, to and from the South, visiting various family members, and attending functions, and I would more or less always have a book with me, to read in the car.
It was devastating when I started to suffer headaches whilst reading on the move… all those wasted hours where I could be submerged in the latest story of choice! Trains were ok, so were planes, but car or bus journeys, a total no-no. My mum subscribed to some story magazines where you got the audio version on tape alongside a magazine with the stories. So at least I was able to listen to stories as we travelled. But it wasn’t the same as reading whatever book I was consuming at the time.
Still, I carried on reading, whenever I could. From the favourite childhood authors, to the soft romances by Danielle Steele, as that was what my mum had at home. She also loves to read wartime family sagas, so I devoured them too. As I hit my teens, I wanted something more meaty. I am not a crime or thriller fan, and neither is my mother, so there was nothing like that for me to read, but the Flowers In The Attic series were sat on a high up shelf.
The series, by Virginia Andrews, got me hooked. I read them all, and probably several times over. Mum had other books by the author too, and so I slowly devoured them all, and as new ones were published, we would buy them, and I would read and read and read…
As I grew older, I still had a social life, but it wasn’t the be all and end all for me, not being in a pub or club on a Friday or Saturday, at 16, like it as for my classmates. I was either with family, or happily tucked up with my favourite book. I didn’t know many others my age who loved to read like I did… perhaps I was the bookwormy geek that deserved to be the School Librarian!
Oh I loved that title! I used to spend lunchtimes in the library, sorting out books, recommending titles for the younger girls in the school. The actual school librarian was a tiny, and I mean tiny, little Chinese lady, and I feel awful that I have forgotten her name! She was a little 4 foot book whirlwind, and she was the gentlest of souls, not like the stuffy librarians you see portrayed in films and programmes generally.
Anyway, I am letting myself get carried away with my memories!
Now, when you finish your exams, say your A-levels, that is something to celebrate! What do you do? Go out for a meal, drinks, that sort of thing, right?
Not for me! The year I was doing my A-Levels, there was a new book being released. A Suitable Boy, by Vikram Seth.
It was a huge tomb of a book, the longest book to be written in the English language, in one volume, at the time. It was nearly 1500 pages long! A very involved family saga based around an Indian family. I was desperate to read it! My mum bought the book, and held it like a carrot, dangling it in front of me, telling me that it would be my treat once my exams were over. I was so motivated! Seriously! Sad am I?
There are probably those who would actually think so, but for me it was such a great thing to work towards! The exams finished, and I was given the book to read… and boy did I read!!
My Pops actually got a little worried. I was holed up in my room, in my bed for about a week, not wanting to go anywhere. He, being the concerned father, asked my mum if I was ill. “No dear, your daughter is just reading…”
And I was. I finished that 1500 pages over a week. I was determined to do this. For me it was a like a week away, getting right into the story. My mum had said that she would wait for me to finish before she read it, she could take months to read a book compared to me and the lengthy sittings of reading that I could undertake, being a single, young girl, with no other responsibilities! (I’m pretty sure she still hasn’t read it! It’s only 22 years later!)
Can I just slip in here, as I read some facts about A Suitable Boy on Wikipedia, I found out there is a sequel coming next year! Called A Suitable Girl… I know what I will have on pre order!
Anyway, as I went to university, books, of the reading for pleasure variety, took a took a backseat, as I got involved with student life properly. See, I wasn’t the geek that I had always thought I was! But you know, they were never far away. It might have taken me a tad longer to finish a book, but I still read, intermittently.
And over the years, I’ve carried on reading, sometimes I finish books within a week, sometimes it takes longer, but there is always a book near by, be it a physical book, or my Kindle, or even the Kindle app on my phone, I know I can read almost anywhere.
As the original quote that inspired this post said, I love that feeling of getting swept away into this ‘other’ world, this whole parallel universe where the story I am reading, is taking place. I almost feel a sense of loss when a book I have particularly enjoyed finishes.
So, be it chick lit or biographies, historical romances or family sagas, I love to read them, I always shall, and I don’t care if I am a nerd for loving books!
But I Smile Anyway... 
Oct 30, 2016 @ 14:48:01
I have read all my life, usually have a book. I dfo reviews on my blog, but selected one showing plants another love. I places my reviews on Tuesdays. I now read mostly mysteries. Enjoyed your blog
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oct 30, 2016 @ 14:51:27
Thank you Betty! I love reading 😊
LikeLike
Oct 30, 2016 @ 10:18:07
Hi, I love reading as well. It’s just finding the time, Chloe https://pinkiebag.com
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oct 30, 2016 @ 10:19:39
Oh don’t I know it… the time issue is huge!!! Nice to meet you 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oct 29, 2016 @ 21:29:00
Nerd-on! I feel the same. A love for reading is life! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oct 29, 2016 @ 21:43:23
Absolutely!!!! 📚📚📚
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oct 27, 2016 @ 14:03:36
I also adore reading. Sadly I don’t make as much time as I use to. My daughter of 13 is a great reader. She has read through the Harry Potter series over 5 times!! I use to be like that- I must say I do often miss it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oct 27, 2016 @ 14:39:13
The joy of sinking into a book…. nothing beats it!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oct 27, 2016 @ 12:46:13
Of course nerdiness is now being embraced as cool which can only be a healthy and happy thing in my considered (and thoroughly book-wormy nerdness) opinion 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oct 27, 2016 @ 13:01:53
😃 perfect!!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oct 28, 2015 @ 13:16:27
You and me both Ritu. I also read all of the Virginia Andrews books, as well as some of Danielle Steele. I have read all of Jilly Coopers as well. In fact, I like to read all sorts of books as well, and have done since a small child. I am proud to be a nerd as well!!! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oct 28, 2015 @ 23:22:10
Yay!!! Nerds unite!!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oct 28, 2015 @ 06:13:47
I get you!! I have been ill which has left me useless with books – they give me a headache. I feel uneasy. Good choice BTW, this book has been recommended to me quite a few times.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oct 28, 2015 @ 10:08:07
I often think I would re read it, but I don’t think I’d ever finish it again! As a Mum and teacher, I’d never get a week to read non stop any more!!
Hope you get your reading head on again,,I know how frustrating it is! 😊📖
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oct 28, 2015 @ 05:46:15
How can anyone not love books sis. Don’t care how nerdy we are☺☺
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oct 28, 2015 @ 10:06:16
Yay! Nerds unite!!!! 📙📘📘📕📚📖
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oct 28, 2015 @ 13:17:25
Yaaaaay let’s start a literary revolution☺
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oct 28, 2015 @ 23:23:04
A book blog-ulution!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oct 29, 2015 @ 00:53:38
I love these blog related words you come up with☺
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oct 29, 2015 @ 09:06:17
Thanks bro! Perhaps I should create a blog-tionary too! 😜😊😘
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oct 29, 2015 @ 10:49:58
Oh that would be amazing if only you had the time☺
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oct 29, 2015 @ 11:05:48
If I only had the time…😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oct 28, 2015 @ 03:05:24
I am a book lover too and I think it is a parent child thing- if a parent is a book-lover, the children will be book-lovers too- I sincerely believe this. There is nothing as beautiful in this world as a well written book and the time to read it all in one sitting, with no disturbance. I hate it when someone disturbs me when I am reading. Books are hooks !
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oct 28, 2015 @ 09:48:40
Oh they absolutely are! And you are right, I caught the book bug from my mum, and it’s spread to my kids too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oct 28, 2015 @ 00:56:02
I looooove reading!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oct 28, 2015 @ 09:47:20
Oooh! Me tooooo!!! 📕📗📘📙📚📖
LikeLike
Oct 27, 2015 @ 23:52:40
Reading transports me to another world
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oct 27, 2015 @ 23:54:40
Me too Donna, I love it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oct 27, 2015 @ 23:35:51
Reading is adventure in the head…. again and explanation why you are so inspiring and creative, Ritu. I love reading too in my teenage years. Later I just did not have the time anymore. Mostly when I start reading I end up writing… lol
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oct 27, 2015 @ 23:40:26
I sometimes think that maybe I should read less so I can write more, but to be honest, reading a couple of chapters for me is like therapy of sorts, like a short vacation from my crazy life, where I don’t have to think, but can be immersed in a different world to my own…!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oct 28, 2015 @ 00:08:44
I think this is perfect for you. As you say, you can escape to a completely different world. The books I read inspire me so much, that I put the book aside, because I don’t want to interrupt the flow of inspiration… lol!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oct 28, 2015 @ 09:44:18
And you know my world sis, I feel the need to escape on a regular basis!!! Lol!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oct 29, 2015 @ 02:39:45
I totally do, that is your recovery zone! :*
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oct 29, 2015 @ 09:13:21
Oh it is indeed, sort of a word spa!!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oct 27, 2015 @ 23:31:01
I’m so with you on this I can’t imagine life with out books.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oct 27, 2015 @ 23:39:00
Neither can I Eric!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oct 27, 2015 @ 23:29:28
Nothing wrong with being a nerd anyway. More people need to know it is cool to use your brain.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oct 27, 2015 @ 23:38:36
So true Josh. This is why I am so glad my kids are both so happy to read, and not ashamed to show it either. My son is a 10 year old sporty lil Man who plays the Dhol drum, but loves to read too! And Lil Princess can devour books at an alarming rate! No nerdishness there, just a genuine love of books!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oct 28, 2015 @ 01:25:36
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person