No Time

Obviously, I love to read as this blog is focused around books and reading. I've always loved to read ever since I can remember. I think my mom instilled that in me. She is a big reader too. She has always encouraged my brothers and I to read. I remember every summer when she would take us to the library to sign up for the reading program. It was always a blast. I loved seeing how far I would come to get the prizes. Reading was a big part of my childhood and it still is today.

I'm the girl to always have a book with me. Wherever I go there is usually a book in my bag. Sometimes even two or more depending on how close I am to finishing the book I'm on. I bought a hipster bag from Vera Bradley online this past summer. It was a print that I've been wanting forever. I debated getting the bag because it looked fairly small. I wasn't sure if my wallet and a book would fit. Plus all the other random things that find their way into my bag. In the end though, I did end up buying it and I was a little worried that my books wouldn't fit. But when the bag arrived I saw that it was actually a lot bigger than I thought. Although, I soon realized that it was awfully heavy when everything was in there and the thicker books took a lot of shoving to make them fit. I carry a book with me pretty much wherever I go because you never know when there will come a time to read.

Now, though it had become increasingly difficult for me to find any time to read. Between work, school, friends, and trying to get any sleep I've hardly read anything at all. I think I've been carrying around the same book for at least four weeks and I'm only on page 68. When I usually can finish a book in about a week, maybe two if I'm busy, that's pretty bad. The really crappy thing about it is that its a book I've been dying to read. When by some miracle I actually have time where I could read, I just can't find the energy to pick up my book. This is the reading slump. Its that period of time when the thought of picking up a book makes you even more tired than you were before. For an avid reader like myself it is horrible. I hate the feeling of it too. Its like I want to read and I have all these books from the library that are just sitting on my shelf, but I just can't bring myself to do it. I wish there was more hours in the day to all that I want and need to do. But hopefully sometime soon I'll get out of this reading slump and back to the stories I love so much.

The Dud

Have you ever gone to the library, or the bookstore and found a book that sounds awesome? The cover makes your eyes pop. The title grabs your attention, and the dust jacket pulls you into the story. At this point, I'm pretty excited and this process happens with a few books in a trip to the bookstore. So, I add the book to my list (which never stops growing) and I'll order it from the library. Depending if its a popular book and where its being sent from it can take a few weeks before the book is in. Then there is nothing to do but wait, wait, and wait.....

A FEW WEEKS LATER....

Finally the book is in!! Then I head over to the library to pick it up. This trip usually ends with me leaving with more than books then I planned to leave with because I have to check out the new releases. Then I finally make it over to the check out counter, check out my book(s), and head home. Once I get home, I have a whole process of filing my books. When that is done I settle in and start reading my book. Now this is where things get a little dicey....

This awesome book that I've waited weeks for and had the anticipation build turns out to be a Dud. The Dud is the book that sounds great until you actually start reading. My experience is that it starts off kind of slow but some books take time to pick up. So I keep reading thinking that it'll get better. Unfortunately, that isn't the case with a Dud. The book doesn't pick up. It drags and drags. But I'm usually optimistic and I keep going. But when I do admit defeat it usually ends up that I'm already in the middle of the book and I that point I feel like I can't just stop. So I push myself to finish the rest of the book. What I thought would be a really awesome book turned out to be weeks worth of torture trying to finish it. I hate calling it quits on a book which is probably why I always end up in the middle before I call it what it is.

Duds really suck and that's putting it mildly. I think the Duds are some of the reason why more people don't read. They either keep picking Duds or found a Dud and lost interest. Another problem I find with them is that you never know if a book is going to be one. Any time I pick out a book there is a chance it could turn out to be a Dud. That's one of the risks with books but I believe that the great books far out number the Duds. In short, Duds are an inevitable part of reading but I think the risk is defiantly worth it, especially when I find books than keep me turning page after page.    

Old Tales

Books affect our life in so many ways. They can change the way we see the world. I think they bring back to us the magic and the mystery that we sometimes lose sight of. In my opinion, particularly children's books. I mean think about it, those are some of the first stories that you are exposed to. They open your mind to the possibility of the extraordinary.    

A few months ago, I went to Barnes and Noble with my mom to find a children's book for a baby shower. It was my stepbrother's wife that was having the shower. Instead of cards, she asked for books. I had so much fun looking through all the kids books. I saw quite a few books that I had read when I was little. Just seeing them brought back the memories of sitting with my mom, having her read to me. It was hard to pick just one book because their were so many that had brought happy memories to me growing that I wanted to pass along to this new family.

My oldest brother, Adam, grew up reading Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak. My mom would read it to him all the time. My mom always instilled in us a love of reading. Adam is turning 27 this year, and yet this story continues to affect him. His favorite childhood book is now a tattoo on his arm. Whenever he looks at it, he is reminded of the many times our mom would read the story and the happiness attached to it. This story has stayed with him throughout all the triumphs and the sorrows. One of my favorite books growing up was Corduroy by Don Freeman. This was about a teddy bear who desperately wanted someone to buy him. When a little girl wanted him, her mother said no because Corduroy was missing a button. After looking all night for a button, the next day Corduroy was bought by the little girl and she gives him a button for his overalls. This book had a happy ending as most kids books do, but it also has a deeper meaning then what's on the surface. This book touches on that basic need to belong. We all want to be accepted and loved for who we are. I think that's a pretty deep message for a children's book to make. It goes to show that just because its a book for little kids doesn't older people can't benefit from it as well.

That's why I believe books change us. They help to shape who we are and how we see the world. They teach valuable lessens that we can take into adulthood. Take my brother for example. His favorite book from childhood was about a boy who doesn't fit in so he goes to this world of incredible creatures and learns that everything isn't always what it seems. I believe there are many lessons worth learning in not just kids books but in all books. From this one, my brother learned about making the right choice for you and to see that being different isn't something to be afraid of.

                                    
                                    

What Are Endings?

Endings are hard. Whether it be the ending of a long friendship, relationship, or a book. It may seem strange to lump in books with the end of a long connection, like a friendship. But for a lot of people, myself included, the ending of a book or series is like losing a friend.

I know that may seem a bit dramatic to some people. But reading is making a connection to characters. Its one of my favorite parts of books. That ink, paper, and words can make characters that seem as real as you and me. Take the Harry Potter series for example, that series has affected people world wide. I know that it made me want to be a witch and go to Hogwarts. The Harry Potter series made people believe in magic again. It brought about seven books, eight movies, and a connection with millions of people. When the end did finally come, it was touched with great triumph but also great sadness. It was like the end of an era had come. I remember when the last book came out. I had a friend at the time that got the book before I did. When I was talking to her on the phone and she let a major spoiler slip. I was furious and at the same time crushed. I could've strangled her (just kidding...kind of). I had only just gotten the book from my mom that day too. My mom had to read it before me, which I saw as only slightly evil (:D). Anyway, I gave the book back to my mom and told her I didn't need to read it because the ending was ruined for me. She told me to still read it and that it wasn't the whole story. Thankfully, I listened to her, read it, and seriously bawled my eyes out. I didn't want the story to end and I didn't want to say goodbye to all the characters that I loved. With this series, it was a fantastic ending, and bittersweet. I closed the door to the world of magic, muggles, Harry, all of Hogwarts happy and glad to have been along for the ride.

Not all books or a series will leave a big impact. I think its more like the smaller ones that don't hurt as much prepare you for the ones that can leave a hole in your heart or feel like they just punch you in the stomach. I think if all books left that big of a mark that everyone would walk around drained. Not to say that the small ones don't hurt, or aren't as important. Believe me, they are, sometimes even more so than the big ones. While endings are hard, they are something we need. If nothing ended, nothing could begin. Endings allow us to say our goodbyes to loved characters. Then we get to move on to new worlds, new characters, and new adventures.