Friday, April 1, 2011

B is for Books

Dear Books,

Remember the time when I was a pre-teen and a teenager and I would check out dozens of books at a time from the library and read them all in a week? Remember the hours I spent with so many of you, disappearing to far-off places in my imagination?

People always say that reading books is necessary to be a good writer. There are many reasons for this, but I think an important aspect of it is that books spur our imaginations onward. When we read something beautiful or thought-provoking or painful, it helps us grow in our minds and imaginations.

You and I, dear books, have struggled with each other for a while now. This is my fault. It's not that I don't read—it's that it has become harder for me to read. I have been doing so much writing and editing, more writing and editing, and oh, did I mention writing and editing, that by the time I sit down with a book, I'm so firmly in editing mode that I have a hard time getting into the story. There have been some that have sucked me right in and held me captive until the end, but not nearly as many as there once were.

And this makes me sad. This is one of the reasons why I am giving my writing brain a break right now to take time to read books. Lots of books. Books of all kinds. To seek out the beauty of the words and to get pulled into amazing worlds. I even added a little gadget here so I can mark what I'm currently reading. I am excited to see what adventures I find in all of these pages.

Happily,
A Reader


*Question of the day: What is/are your favorite book(s) and why?

25 comments:

  1. Good job on your early post for the letter B :) Writing saps a lot of your energy for reading. (When I'm reading, I think, "If I have this free time, I should be writing!") Anyway, my game changer has been my Kindle. Now, when I'm places I couldn't possibly write, I feel the freedom to read.

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  2. I can't believe it's already time for 'B' in some parts of the world.

    I love any books that can take me straight out of this world and into another.

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  3. I think one of the reasons books still hold the place in my heart they do is because of movies. Hollywood very generously insists on always ruining any adaptation of a book for the screen so you alway send up back with the written word. Thank you Hollywood!

    Mood

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  4. I'm a bookaholic. I love reading. I read a wide variety from Stephen King to James Patterson to Danielle Steele to Dean Koontz to Harlequin romance and everything in between. To pick my favorite book is a hard one. I'd have to say Stephen King's The Talisman for it being so vivid and having such great characters, you can't help but getting sucked right in. I've read it three times and am not tired of it yet.

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  5. Most writers end up being pickier about what they read, which is why I love finding stories that suck me in. Have fun reading on your writing/editing break!

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  6. That sounds like an excellent idea. I also have trouble finding enough time to read these days...

    Hmm.. it's difficult to name my favourite books, but DEFINITELY at the top of the list are the Harry Potter books and The Mortal Instruments books (of which the fourth is coming out in a few days time!!!)

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  7. "When we read something beautiful or thought-provoking or painful, it helps us grow in our minds and imaginations." - loved this passage. Sums up perfectly why we read and also why we write. :)

    My favorite books are the ones that challenge me emotionally (Mockingjay, Cracked up to Be, Brideshead Revisited)

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  8. This is my favorite a-Z that I've seen so far! Reading is like breathing for me. Books are my friends. So glad you wrote them a letter! :)

    L

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  9. I'm a new follower coming to you by way of the A to Z Challenge.

    My favorite book of all time is The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. I have read the book over and over again, and every time, I am completely swept into the story. The characters are so real to me. The power of the love story is so strong that it blurs out the fact that the premise of time travel is so unrealistic.

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  10. I also used to read a couple of books a day! Last year, I was delighted to average a book a month, which was a huge improvement over the prior couple of years.

    This year, I've already read eight books and am deep into another. I'm really enjoying this chance to reconnect with books . . . and my younger self!

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  11. I have an e-reader now, but I feel like there is something lost in it. There's nothing like going to the library and picking out a book.

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  12. I'm not even in editing mode and I feel that it is more difficult to read.

    I have too many books that I love to name them. It sort of depends on my mood.

    :-)

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  13. I miss my bookworm days in high school. I read a lot now, but I read so much more then.

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  14. Oh, I hear you! I don't read the same way when I'm writing. I don't have the extra brain power for a demanding literary work, for instance... I still LOVE reading, and I DO it, though often what I am reading is something I'm meant to be critiquing... Important to get those breaks in for real books!

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  15. I identify with your words here. I love books, but I find that my time zips by so quickly with the kids and their activities. Thanks for reminding me to get back on the reading saddle again :) Have fun with the challenge!

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  16. When I'm writing I find it hard to read as well. It's easier if I read outside the genre I'm writing in. I'm taking a break and soaking up words too. It feels awesome.

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  17. Great letter!

    I never have enough time to read--no matter what. I do miss when I was younger and could spend all day lost in a novel.

    Hope you're enjoying A-Z!

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  18. My favorite book is the book I'm writing! :o)

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  19. Last year, I read over 100 books. This year, I've not fared so well. As much as I love to read, it's sometimes a challenge to it in. But I try my best.

    Loved the letter...


    M.J. Fifield
    My Pet Blog

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  20. Thanks so much, everyone! It's nice to see others feel the same way--and now I probably have several more books to add to my TBR list. ^_^

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  21. I love books. It's impossible to name the one I like most. I take a book with me everywhere I go. Books are my constant compaion.

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  22. Great letter. I miss reading the way I used to do it. Would get several books from the library at a time and actually read them. I even had a habit of reading while doing almost anything, like watching tv or even walking around the house. I always had a book in my hand. Then I went to college and barely read anything. I'm now reading a bit more but it's not easy and I miss the old days.

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  23. I have a few books that are my favorite but when I think of my childhood, it's easier to name books that were the ones I would run to the shlef for; The Little Left-Over Witch, Mandy (by Julie Andrews) and I loved Mrs. Piggle Wiggle books. I have copies of them :)

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  24. YAY for books!! They are better than food sometimes :D

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  25. Books are fantabulous! (Dawn, I used to read while doing tons of things, too. And Tracy, I still have "Mandy" and two of the "Mrs. Piggle Wiggle" books on my shelf. :D

    Thanks to all of you for the wonderful comments!

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Thanks for sharing your thoughts!