A friend recently asked what would happen if everyone now reading Fifty Shades of Grey read 90 Minutes in Heaven instead? I think he was annoyed that anyone would devote any time to anything unrelated to religion.
Interesting.
What if people who refuse to read one over the other, read both? Or if those who never read at all read something? Just read. A paragraph, the comics, a children’s book, a blog post…
Books are great companions, some better friends than other. They find a way into our lives, drawing us in, teaching, helping us learn, unlearn, think, re-think. If we never grow and change, nothing changes. Or maybe a book reinforces what we already believe.
People who read a thousand books, live a thousand lives within the pages, connecting with the characters in the stories, the authors who formed the words, the other readers – those who suggested it, those who read it a hundred years ago.
Certain books I read over and over, leaving a part of myself between the pages each time, taking something new with me at the end, a feeling, a thought, a memory. Years later, re-reading it, I find myself again, a younger person but the same person, familiar but with broadened horizons. Maybe I see it in a totally new light because I’m a different me.
Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.
Loved this, and I love the book “Oh the Places You’ll Go”.
Narrow minded people read only one kind: I read all kinds.
I have traveled the world over in books.
Great food for thought! So it’s okay if I read the second book in the Fifty Shades series? Ha It is sitting in my stack of books to read but it keeps making it to the bottom of the pile. 🙂
I agree, Talya, and that’s why I read your awesome blog, everyday!=) I have to admit, that reading isn’t my bailiwick, but listening to audiobooks while working or driving is. Usually, if a book doesn’t capture my interest, early, then usually, I don’t finish it. The last book I read is “Heaven is for Real” by Todd Burpo, and that was several months ago. It is an awesome book, and whether it is an actual account of a little boys visit to Heaven, I suppose, is up for debate by the readers. My Dad passed away a couple of years ago, and I often wonder that if Heaven is for real(and personally, I believe it is), then what is he seeing and experiencing. So, yeah, I totally agree with you. Books can take us anywhere we want to go, even to experience a glimpse of Heaven!
I got chills!! You know how I feel about books… Exactly the same as you! I would go crazy without them. GREAT post!
I belong to a group who call ourselves the Four Readers of the ATL-Pocalypse. There are seven of us in the group, which is what makes it kind of amusing. While all the books we read are in the fantasy and science fiction genres, we have all read books outside our “comfort zones.” We started with Vonnegut, moved on to Connie Willis, then Greg van Eekhout, Ekateria Sedia, Peter S. Beagle, Paulo Bacigalupi, etc. We’ve read high fantasy, hard science fiction, post-apocalyptic, post-ecological collapse, post-Ragnarok, dark humor, silly humor, time travel, urban fantasy…
And now we’re reading a book whose main character is essentially a high-class call girl who takes pleasure in pain. This one is WAY outside my comfort zone, but I’m enjoying it, nevertheless, because the writing is good and the story is compelling. And it’s nowhere near as graphic as you’re thinking. 🙂
If we don’t stretch as readers, we don’t ever get new ideas.
“Oh the places” I go when I pick our daughter up from school. She’s 14,in the 9th grade, and an avid reader. Traci has driven to and from W. Memphis a million times from preschool to the present. On the other hand, I have made the trek less often, but when I do, it’s very likely we will end up in Memphis-at a bookstore, a “nice” restaurant, and usually Petco. It’s a routine we started years ago and continue. On the drive to the city she tells me more than I need to know about what her friends are doing with their free time. This makes me appreciate that for now at least her journeys are still on the pages of books. PS She’s added a new stop to our routine–car dealerships! Ouch! Her journeys will expand beyond written words way before I’m ready.
Great read Talya! And great thoughts … All true, so true!
Ohhh what a way with words you have in all the places that you go! 🙂 Another masterpiece, cousin! 🙂
You DO have a way with words! I’m a Janite and read a lot of Jane Austen fan-lit, but now, I’m reading Kitty Foyle–a novel about a woman written by a man! Oh, to live long enough to read everything one would like to read.
Those who don’t read have no advantage over those who can’t!!! -Minta
a great big amen from the fat boy on this one!
This is a great reminder of the value that comes from stretching oneself in any capacity be it reading, trying new things, or even moving 🙂 I think that many people are scared to read something that goes beyond their comfort zone because they fear that it will change their mind about something they currently believe (their religion, their opinion of themselves, etc.). It’s a natural feeling, but I try to conquer it by thinking about how scary it would be to go through life in complete delusion. I prefer a scary challenge over delusion any day.
So proud of you Kelsey! xoxo
I am so proud of you. You have always met new challenges head-on. Nana