Why I Love To Read

My love for reading comes from my mother. There wasn't a time when she wasn't reading to me, or having me read. There were bookshelves filled with the old classics down in our basement and in my room shared with my sisters we had a bookshelf filled with our own books.

My first memories of having a true passion for reading, probably is from Grade 3.

My teacher at the time was my idol; I wanted to be just like her in every way.

My dream at the time (of course) was to become a teacher.

When she would read to our class, she would sit in her chair and all of us, cross-legged in front of her and she would hold up the book and read with such passion.

I would go home and put on a skirt and I would pretend to be her. I would sit in front of our bay windows in the big blue arm chair and I would cross my legs and read out loud. I would do this all the time, I was so determined to be her in my mind, and my mom would use telling my teacher when I was bad as a threat (along with my full name).

Then I hit high school and when I realized I would be in school for another 10 years to become a teacher, I re-thought my goals.

I never enjoyed school in general; I just enjoyed aspects of it. So I knew going to school for that long of a period was not in the cards for me.

Even though school wasn't my forte, my passion for reading never escaped me.

The one good thing I had/have going for me is my memory as at times it can be photographic. I will read a book and be able to recite it back to whoever will listen (just with maybe too much detail for some peoples liking).

I remember in high school I "had" to read Finding Fish: A Memoir by Antoine Fisher and Mim E Rivers. This book has to be over 300 pages and I read this book in probably less than a day. I remember telling my boyfriend about this book while watching the movie. I would stop the movie and tell him all that was missed or incorrect in comparison to the book.

That example is just for me to explain my passion. If a book is placed in front of me and I am captured from the first few chapters I cannot put it down.

Those are the types of books I love to read.

I started my e-book collection just over a year ago (2012) and I have now a collection of over 400 books in my library (and counting).

There are some days I have read multiple books in one day, or have pulled all nighters just to finish the book I was currently reading. Sometimes I just sleep without knowing what is going to happen because I am so entranced in a book.

When I am reading, the book plays out like a movie in my head and I can imagine what everyone looks like, or how the scene looks.

I love reading series because I never want a story to end or I want to know every aspect of a story from all angles.

I love romance stories, because I may or may not be a hopeless romantic at heart. I love the whole fairy tale, soul-mate, unconditional love that can be found in some stories (and in real life if we are lucky).

My new goal/dream is to one day be able to work at a place that enables my passion for reading in some form.

Hopefully I will get there one day.

JB