I Love Books

I love books. I love the way they smell and feel and look. I love the ideas and wisdom, the stories and laughter we find in them. I enjoy all kinds of books, from novels to non-fiction. I especially enjoy mysteries, and detective stories.

I love libraries, a wonderful gift to readers. If a book is not available at the local library, I use Interlibrary Loan. This is a network of various libraries and institutions in North American that agree to loan items to one another. I also use Link+ at the local library to search, sometimes locate, and then request a book from a different library. These sources enabled me to obtain every book I ever wanted to read.

All my life, I’ve had a book mark in two or three books at a time.

Books are a beautiful way to learn and expand one’s vocabulary. If a word is not familiar, then I write it down, and look it up. Upon seeing the word again, if I’m not sure what it means, I again write it down, and look it up. I repeat this process until I remember the definition.

I keep a Book Log of books I’ve read. I record the date, author, title, and bibliographical details. Sometimes I write quotes in the Book Log, to savor later, and to quote in my writing.

During life’s difficult times, books keep me from despair.

Reading keeps me sane, and happy, and learning, and growing. I love books.

Books - An Essential Good

My spiritual life includes books - reading, studying, and writing. I believe it is just as important to nourish the mind as it is to nourish the body.

“In France, books are considered an essential good like electricity, bread, and water.”[1]

            Pamela Druckerman

I love books - every kind of book. I love the way books smell and feel and look. I love the ideas and wisdom we can find in books. I love it when an author tells an inspiring story, or makes me laugh out loud.

At age ten, I finally learned to read. (Many years later, it was discovered that I have dyslexia.) Once I learned to read, the world was mine through books. I found my first library. Since then, libraries have been a never-ending source of wonder and joy. During my childhood I spent summer afternoons reading in a tree house in the eucalyptus tree, which grew two blocks from my house. Wonderful tree scents, beautiful warm skies, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, and books, books, books - it was heavenly.

I am a pushover for books, and have purchased hundreds for my personal library collection and presents.  When the shelves become too full, I donate books to the library, or share them with family and friends.

In principle, I’m against book censorship, by a person, school, business, religion, or political entity. When choosing children’s literature, I concentrate on the child’s chronological age and reading level. When taking children to the library, we go to the children’s section. Then I let them choose their own books.

Every day, I celebrate literacy, learning, and loving books. Yes, in my world, in my spiritual life, books are an essential good.

Note

1. Billboard, Kahn & Keville Tire & Auto Service, 500 Turk Street, San Francisco, CA, seen January 20, 2015.