On Books and Reading

When I was a little girl my mother regularly took us to the public library to select books. I know it was because she loved reading and was there getting books for herself but also because she wanted us to love reading too. As a result of this I do love reading - it is my favourite thing to do.
I can still remember the distinct feeling of going and finding books to read and coming home with a pile of books - the delicious feeling of anticipation of the treasures I held bundled in my arms.
I remember one of my teachers at primary school giving us forms to fill out showing the books we had read and I remember having to go back for more as I filled the pages - loving to see the list of how many books I had read.

Many years later things haven't changed much! 

Through a friend 3 years ago I discovered Goodreads and it has appealed to my sense of lists and making a record of what I have read. At the time I had decided I wanted to read more (you know - "so many books - so little time"). I had set myself a challenge to average a book a week that year. Then I discovered I could set this up and record it on Goodreads.

I found a list of book ideas to consider on Pinterest which I modified a little bit then I set about finding books to put on to a reading challenge list. I enjoyed doing this immensely and felt it was a little bit like going shopping and discovering new things - books I hadn't heard about or considered reading.That year I managed to read 58 books - more than my planned 52 - so I felt my plan succeeded and many of the books I borrowed for free from the library or chose unread books I already owned to add to my list.

The following year my plans went awry due to personal circumstances when my husband became gravely ill. I only managed 20 books that year and although it was out of my control I felt like I had not achieved my goal. Last year I set my self a more modest goal of 40 books and managed to achieve this. I told myself I was only allowed to read books I already owned but that didn't last as I have a weakness for books when I go secondhand shopping so that rule didn't work!

This year I have set myself a challenge again of 40 books so I don't put any pressure on myself but I have managed to read 2 books in my first week so I am ahead of myself already. I haven't made a list of specific books this year and will try again to work through my bookshelf of ones I already own! Lets see how that goes!

I know I am lucky to have the skill of reading - not everyone has that and I make the most of it everyday. Books give me access to things I would not usually see or do and I love the sense of discovery and escape. I recommend it highly and encourage all of you to take time at your local library or thrift shop and enjoy the sense of discovery for little or no cost at all!