Books!

Reading often changes my life, in dramatic ways. Sometimes it's a simple statement. Sometimes it's a huge profound "WHY DIDN'T I THINK OF THAT?"

Reading has become a passion of mine. I haven't always enjoyed it, I haven't always seen a need, or had a desire to sit down with a book. But when we moved to Kansas 5 years ago, and I found myself without very many friends in a new town, I found lots of moments at home with small children that I was lonely. I began to read. I began to fill my day with the stories of others. Eventually I made new friends and my days began to fill with people and places and jobs and chores and a huge array of things that took time away from books.  But the joy I found in being lost in a book never went away. 

I love reading the fantasy genre, I love the stories that could never "really" happen, Harry Potter will always be in my top ten of favorites, probably until the day I die! I enjoy books that teach bigger lessons, that take you through a struggle, and teach you how to overcome them. The Hunger Games, although slightly depressing, teaches lessons of courage, strength, sacrifice for those you love. The Night Circus is filled with passionate magic that keeps you wanting to come back for more. A Song of Ice and Fire is filled with Kings, knights, dragons, war, betrayal, honor, an array of characters you love, who mostly all die, however. But it is entertaining and reminds me that I am grateful for my life here in 2015 when my biggest concern is money and raising my children right! I have also read a variety of Self-Help type books, mostly parenting books that remind me that I am not, in fact, screwing up my children as much as I feared. I find comfort in hearing others advice and having that feeling of "Phew! I'm already doing that!" 

Sometimes books are an escape from reality, sometimes they are just a good story to read. Often books keep me grounded on the things that actually matter. Sometimes books help me feel confident, brave, and excited about life. Sometimes they feel like a chore, because I HATE starting a book and not finishing it, even if it's lacking the ability to make me WANT to read it. I think there have only been 2 or 3 that I stopped reading out of boredom or lack of connection to the characters or story. I rarely pick up a book that hasn't been recommended to me and therefore always have a deeper desire to finish said book because I take book recommendations seriously and trust my fellow book lovers! 

In the end, I love reading. It is a passion I want to instill in my children and encourage my husband to find a good book as well. His ADD and Dyslexia make it difficult for him to enjoy reading, although he still has the desire to read, and has started LOTS of books, but then.....oooo shiney. He has found a love for audio books! Which I also love!

I don't always have time to sit with my nose in a book! But some headphones while I do chores can help me feel like I am not missing out of the important or entertaining words of others! If it's good enough for the kids I will often but an audio book on the surround sound and we'll listen to stories while we go about our day.

I have a new love for children's books that come with a CD that reads the story to you. I pop it in and the kids think it's awesome, It helps cut out some screen time and instead of using TV as a babysitter so I can shower and get ready, I turn on a book, hand them the real book and they'll listen and follow along with the story over and over! 

My point is this.
Go read a book!
You won't regret it.

I've never met someone, and lost respect for them when I hear them say "I love reading". Generally speaking, most people who read are respectable people! 

Go on, make yourself better, pick up a book.
I dare you.