So, as many of you may know, I'm a bit of an obsessive reader. There is, quite literally, very few things in the world I would rather than do than curl up with a good book and escape into the world of my characters, sometimes for hours at a time.
I'm not sure what it is about books that speak to me so much - I will read just about anything, from historical fiction, to cheesy romance, to sassy chick-lit, to mystery (although not at night - I'm a scaredy cat!) to tell-all biographies. Whenver I read a book, I always find myself casting the main characters in a movie. Inevitably, Hollywood adapts the book a few years later, and I get so excited to see the book that I've been known to start countdowns (ie My Sisters Keeper). And, inevitably, the movie just never compares. Am I the only one who, when not reading a book, finds myself thinking about the characters, wondering what they're doing? It's like part of me is afraid they're up to something and I don't know about it. Crazy, I know.
I have an ongoing debate with a co-worker that libraries, bookstores, and actual physical books are soon going to be a thing of the past. Kind of like redheads and answering machines. To this I say...Noooooooooooooo. I refuse to believe that "e-books" are going to erase old-fashioned, physical books. Nothing can replace cracking open a good book, holding those pages in your hands, that "new smell" book, dog-earing the page to mark your spot so you can run to make a mug of hot chocolate...
What do you think? Are books destined for extinction? One of my good friends and fellow book clubber has a Kindle and she loves it. I remain a skeptic. As for libraries, according to the Indianapolis Star, they've seen membership grow by nearly a million people due to the economy being in the toilet. I jumped on the library bandwagon a year and a half ago, and praise it loudly and proudly to anyone who will listen. I always have about 3 books checked out, and 6 more on hold, and I'm always renewing or loaning them out to friends (converts if I have my way...).
And don't even get me started on Barnes and Noble - the only downside to my library membership: no reason to go kill 2 hours at Barnes and Noble. Sometimes I still go in, and take pictures of new releases with my cell phone and then go get them at the library. Sad, I know, but a girl has got to have her Barney's fix once in a while.
So let's hear it: favorite books? worst book-to-movie adaption (and vice versa?) Any favorite reading spots? (My porch swing is tied with my bath tub.) Anyone serectly think they can write a best-seller? (Because I so KNOW I can... :-) )
Now, if you'll excuse me, The Ex Mrs. Hedgefund is calling my name...
3 comments:
I never read much until I met Nate, you and Krissi. You inspired me to read and now I get so much joy from it. Actually, I have a hard time not screaming at people to read a book that I think is great! But, I agree with you Po, books could never be replaced-I refuse to believe that. However, I do believe reading a book is much more enjoyable for me if it's by a body of water, fire, or the carpool line at St. Paul's Preschool.
Like Po, I have to have a good book going at all times or I feel really at loose ends...No matter what I'm doing during the day...I know that after everyone goes to bed I can hunker down and go back to my book! I also keep a book in the car (in case I get stuck in a drive-thru...etc.) I truly believe it affects my personality to not have a book going at all timess!!! I attribute my love of books to my mom definitely...it was also her much savored treat at the end of the day...I never had the luxury of "sneaking in late" from a date because I knew she would be right there in her chair with a good book and Johnny Carson both in progress! As a matter of fact she has always told me that I was named after the main character in a book called "The Foxes of Harrow" ...which she happened to be reading when she went in to labor. She said the chapter she was on had either started or ended with the words "and her name was Julia"...I think that is pretty cool...Keep on writing PO...you'll get that novel written yet...I'm absolutely sure of it!
LIke you,Po, I can't imagine life without BOOKS !!! If I don't have a good book waiting in the wings....it changes my whole personality ! I'm serious....All during the day no matter what I'm doing...I keep thinking that as soon as everyone goes to bed I can hunker down and start reading! I owe my love of reading to my mom definitely ...it was also her reward at the end of the day....and I was even named after the character "Julia" in the book she was reading when she went into labor !!! The book was called "The Foxes of Harrow"...by a guy named "Yarling" I think...isn't that too funny? Mom always told me that the chapter she was reading that day either started or ended with the phrase "and her name was Julia".....
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