My Passion for Page Turning

I never read as a child that I can remember.  I’m sure I did, but don’t remember it as such.  In high school, I’m sure I had to read books for English class, but can’t recall off the top of my head what exactly.  In college, I read textbooks, cover to cover and didn’t have much leftover time to read for pleasure.  And, to be honest, it never really occurred to me to read for pleasure as silly as that sounds. 

Almost five years ago, I was asked to join a book club and thought it would be something I might enjoy and thought I’d give it a try.   Our first book was written by Jodi Picoult and was called “Songs of the Humpback Whale.”  I vaguely remember the story and that it was written in reverse (chronologically) if I remember correctly.   Well, five years later, I think it’s fair to say that I should own stock in Barnes and Noble and have quickly made up for lost time.

Reading has become a passion of mine now and almost always have a book in the car or in my purse “just in case” I have a few minutes to get to the next chapter.  I thoroughly enjoy reading and will read just about anything (or at least give it a good shot).  I have my favorite types of books however and they most regularly include the topics of small towns, nosy neighbors, some truth that needs to be revealed, faith and simple people leading simple lives.  I don’t normally enjoy anything law, or anything involving meat cleavers, dark alleys or creatures with green skin. 

I’m currently reading “Change of Heart” by Jodi Picoult, and honestly, cannot put it down.  It came to me via my mom, who has read since she was 4 and has probably read more books than all of us combined. Honest. 

If you aren’t a reader, I understand.  You don’t have to explain it to me. However, if you do enjoy this  page turning activity, then I will leave you with a short list of titles that I have found interesting, moving, uplifting, and about 10 more adjectives could be inserted here.  I hope there’s at least one on the list you haven’t read.

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

The Shack by William Young

Between Georgia by Joshilyn Jackson

Walking Across Egypt by Clyde Edgerton

Beach Music by Pat Conroy

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

The Red Tent by Anita Diamant

Nothing Pleases Me More

Nothing pleases me more than when my children don’t respond to me calling them to dinner.  “Boys, it’s time to eat. Wash your hands and come down.”  No response…still no response.  It drives me batty; however, when it’s because they both have their noses buried in a book, I’m ok with that.   I am so thankful they have embraced the joy of reading at such an early age.  I know by the number of books they read, it will be a life-long activity for both of them.  Nothing pleases me more.

We were in Barnes & Noble today (our favorite store in the world) on a mission for my little guy to get a book he’s been wanting for a while and saved his Christmas money to buy. He headed straight for the section where his book was located while my older guy headed to his section while I struggled to keep up with them.  They both looked like book zombies walking to their assigned areas in the store.  One went straight and the other turned right and parted ways. All  of a sudden, my little guy grabs a book off the shelf before I can see what it was and starts running, and I mean running, towards his big brother, with the book in hand.  Repeatedly shouting his name in a loud whisper, trying to get his big brother’s attention, he waved the book overhead.

He handed it off to his brother only to receive the biggest smile ever!  It was the newest book in a series he loves and had been waiting for its release for quite some time.  I don’t know what was more exciting to see: Witnessing my little guy thinking of his brother and wanting him to have something he wanted so badly and the fact that he knew enough about what his brother reads to recognize the new book or seeing the smile on the face of my oldest when he realized his weekend was now going to be filled with 10 hours of reading his new book.  It was just a wonderful moment and makes me so proud of them.

Yes they love to play video games and go swimming, be with friends and the like, but having them both be content on the couch with blankets tucked under their chins, the fireplace on and their noses buried in a book couldn’t make me happier.  Nothing pleases me more.