Does life seem predictable to you? Do you see events happening in your mind’s eye before they become a reality? All of your experiences – good and bad – up to this moment in time have contributed to the person you are now. Do you ever feel as though there can’t possibly be anything new happening in your life to surprise you?
Sometimes life seems so predictable to me, with few new and pleasant surprises as the years go by. With each passing year, I realize that my family will probably have some new thing causing stress: health issues, financial concerns, work demands, etc. I’ve come to realize that much of life is learning to meet each new challenge head-on and not allowing it to run me over in the process. Maybe it’s not right that I’m always waiting for the other shoe to drop. But, doesn’t it seem as though one new challenge presents itself as soon as you’ve conquered the last one?!
Reading is the antidote to a predictable life
So, where can I find unpredictability and surprise? In my reading! Almost every time I pick up a new book, whether fiction or non-fiction, I find something that piques my interest and keeps me reading to the end. I read plenty of non-fiction to research whatever new topic I am tackling, such as health and nutrition or blogging (which is my latest new thing). But, if I had to take a polygraph test, you’d find that my absolute favorite reading is fiction.
I’ve been a member of several book clubs over the years. So, the fun I have from all these books has helped me to make new friends and to socialize with others who appreciate the experience of reading. And if you’ve ever been in a book club before, you know that sometimes the assigned book isn’t one you would necessarily choose to read yourself. Yet, isn’t that the point? Reading means experiencing something different and expanding your horizons, learning new things and being exposed to fresh ideas, exotic places, and interesting people.
Reading demands commitment
I can almost hear your reaction to what I’m writing. You love to read, but you have plenty of reasons not to do it. You don’t have any extra time; books are too expensive; you can’t find anything that interests you. Or you’ve never been a reader, so why start now? Does any of that sound like you?
Well, like anything else in life, if it’s truly important to you, you’ll find a way to make it happen. Do you ever think about how many hours we spend waiting? I always have a book with me; so if I find myself waiting, at least I’m being entertained by my latest read! I have my book when I’m at the doctor’s office, in the drive-thru line at the bank, sitting in my car waiting for traffic to clear from the parking lot. I have my book when I’m waiting in the kitchen for the water to boil, when I’m at my desk waiting for my computer to connect to the internet, when I’m on the phone waiting for the customer service representative to answer my call. It’s amazing how a few seconds and minutes here and there translate into several chapters read before the day is over. And don’t forget about the few minutes before you turn off the light and fall asleep!
Take advantage of your local library
So, what if reading isn’t in your budget? Well, the obvious answer would be to visit your local library. I’m fortunate to live in a city that has an AMAZING library. No exaggeration! Our library is ranked in the top five nationally in its population category.
Find some great used books
But, even if you don’t have a library nearby, you can still find great bargains at used bookstores, thrift stores, garage sales, and community book sales (which are usually fundraisers). My husband and I always look for used bookstores whenever we travel and have found many books in excellent condition for pennies on the dollar. And we’ve encountered plenty of bookstores around the country that offer credit toward new purchases if you bring in your used books to trade.
So far, I’ve addressed concerns about finding some time to read and having a book in hand. But, what if you can’t find something interesting to read? Or you have no idea where to start looking? Well, you can check online at different booksellers’ websites (Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million) and read about the latest new releases. Books-A-Million even prints a newspaper-like brochure called BookPage that is complimentary and available at all store locations. It lists hundreds of books with reviews in every conceivable genre to help readers find their favorites.
Many brick and mortar booksellers also have online newsletter lists that you can join for free. These booksellers will send you an email each month with the latest offerings. One of my favorite newsletters is from the Berkley Prime Crime website because mystery is my genre of choice.
Now, if you’ve never been a reader, you may think it’s too late to try something new. Never! And, especially if you’ve never been a reader of fiction, perhaps the reasons why I read may sway you to think otherwise.
Read something every day
In case you can’t tell, I’m an avid reader. On average, I’ll read about 100 pages a day, which doesn’t take me very long. I’ve noticed that the more I read, the faster I read. I am also not a speed-reader who just scans through books. I read every word and even take the time to look up unfamiliar words. Typing just the word into the search field of your web browser usually brings up the definition as the first result. My vocabulary skills have continued to develop long past the years of my formal education.
I read as much as I do because the daily act of reading enriches my life with new ideas, and it always forces me to take a few minutes to be quiet and calm. Do you know how rare that is in this fast-paced, technological world we live in today? You simply can’t read if you aren’t concentrating. If I keep rereading a certain paragraph, I take a minute to clear my head of any worries from the day and keep going. Before I know it, I’ve been transported to another world with someone else’s issues, and it’s amazing what that does for my sanity!
Regular reading keeps your mind sharp
Sometimes I’m reading several books at once because I want to savor the stories slowly or because several books may be due at the library at the same time. Since I’m not simply scanning the words but rather using my imagination to paint a picture of the stories’ details, I’ve noticed that my memory has stayed sharp as the years have continued to pass. Reading also fosters my creativity and helps me imagine endless possibilities for my own life whenever I feel overwhelmed by anything currently happening. If I’m reading about an inspirational character, that often affects my current outlook on reality.
Reading as much as I do also helps me learn names and make connections quickly. Usually, character names have certain associations related to where the story is taking place or the history of the family involved. All the reading that I have done over the years has contributed to my ability to connect names with faces almost instantly and permanently. When I was teaching, it was typical for me to learn the names of my 180 plus students within the first two class sessions during each semester.
Because I choose novels set in numerous places during different historical periods that describe the lives of diverse characters, reading helps me to be conversant on plenty of topics. That has helped me immensely with all of my positions over the years working with the general public. It has also contributed to plenty of dinner conversations with friends. I don’t need to know every detail about a subject, just enough to start the conversation rolling.
Read more books to broaden your perspective
Choosing to read a variety of subjects also keeps me open to different viewpoints and has made me more tolerant about others’ thoughts that may not mirror mine. Is it your experience that individuals become more set in their ways as they age? I know more now about what I want out of my life than ever before. However, I want to remain open to learning about new things and not eliminate the possibility of experiencing something amazing simply out of ignorance or fear of the unknown.
I’ve recently started reading more historical fiction which has triggered a serious interest in learning more about the different decades of the past. Most novels reflect the time period in which they are written. A novel set in the 1960s will give you a deeper understanding of what it was like to live then. References in any novel to a particular political figure unfamiliar to me or a world event about which I can’t recall the details provide opportunities for me always to be learning. Sure, I recall my history classes from high school and college and can generally remember what happened when. But, how much can I really remember about the 1950s if I wasn’t even born then? And what about the early 1900s and the turn of that century when electricity wasn’t readily available? Reading about those times in history reminds me to appreciate our modern conveniences. I always say that my God knew exactly what I could and couldn’t handle because I was born after modern conveniences (also known as mod cons – I recently came across that phrase for the first time!) became the norm.
Keep track of your reading
Have I given you enough reasons to want to read more books? As I’ve been sharing my reading passion with you in this post, you may be wondering if I keep track of all that I read. In fact, I do! I have a reading journal (any old notebook will work) in which I write the authors and the books I’ve read. I have the entries organized by author and my favorite books are the ones that are part of a series. It’s no different than watching a television series each season; you become attached to the characters and can’t wait to see what happens next. Some authors have been writing for years and have created an incredible body of work.
One of my most thrilling finds on the internet is Fantastic Fiction. This site tracks most of the authors I read, indicating their novels in the order in which they were published. Upcoming new release dates are noted and authors that write in the same genre are listed at the bottom of each page. So, if you like a favorite author and are looking for similar works, it’s a great place to find new ones.
I reference Fantastic Fiction often, especially to start a series at the beginning. Why would I want to read the seventh book in the series before the first one? In my reading journal, I also indicate which books I already have in my personal library and those I’ll try to find at the library or at used book venues.
On my computer desktop, I have a notepad memo that lists titles of books I’m interested in reading next. I update it each time I find a new item of interest.
Inspire the next generation to read by example
If you’re like most people I know, as you celebrate more birthdays, you wonder about the legacy that you are leaving behind. What might the next generation accomplish and what is their world going to be like in another few decades? I think it’s important for each new generation to develop a love for reading and I want all the children I know to see me as an example of that.
If you’ve always been a reader and can relate to my love of reading, what can you do to get someone else you know interested in reading more or becoming an amazing reader?
Books make the best gifts
Give a book as a present. Do a little research using some of the suggestions I mentioned earlier in this post to find books that might be of interest to your special someone. When you give the gift, mention that you chose that book specifically because you thought it was something he or she would enjoy. Personalize the experience and be willing to discuss the book after it’s been read, especially if it is one you have already read. Of course, if you’re looking for a pricier gift for a very special occasion, the numerous ereaders and tablets currently on the market are exceptional choices. Sharing my detailed experience with that selection process is another topic for a future post! You’ll never know what kind of an influence you may have on that special someone’s future. And isn’t that what life is all about? You’re building connections and developing relationships, one person at a time.
A few more reading secrets
Before I close for now, I need to let you in on a few more secrets you might find interesting. I’ve started a recommended reading page on Marienel.com that I’ll continue to update as I encounter excellent books that have influenced my life. Also, to keep more surprise in my life, I never read the book jacket or the back cover describing the story line! If I hear recommendations about a book, I’ll look for general reviews rating the quality of the author’s writing, although I’ll never read the synopsis. Why would I want to know the plot beforehand? And last but most seriously, I consider the purchase – only a few dollars – of any book I can’t wait to delve into the best retail therapy ever! I’ve purchased something for myself that will pay dividends ad infinitum while still keeping plenty of cash in my pocket for something else.
So, what do you think? See you at the bookstore?
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