My passion for reading slowly disappeared and by high school I had probably read only one book at leisure. Actually I can tell you the circumstances in which I read this one book. I was going to swim camp in Michigan and my boyfriend at the time gave me this book as a “going away gift”. I think it was called like Home Body or something… That’s the one book I read from the time I was 13 until I graduated high school.
College deterred me from reading even more. I think by that point I even stopped reading the required pieces for class. Nope, I’m sure that I didn’t complete one book throughout my college career. But hey, guess what? I made it through and it only took me four years to graduate with three major degrees and a 3.0! Imagine that, despite not reading the required books for class I made it through. What does that tell you about the importance and effectiveness of pressing students to read? Yeah, yeah, perhaps if I would have done the required readings I would have gotten better grades, but really, a 3.0 from a great University will probably get me to where I want to be further on down the line.
As a recent college graduate I was faced with so many new freedoms. Freedoms to pick and choose my hobbies! What a wonderful world. The summer after graduation I found myself working at a coffee shop in Northern Wisconsin where I would be lucky to get 10 customers in an hour. To pass the time I would doodle and text my friends and listen to music anddddd eventually that stuff got old. One day I brought a book to work: Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut. Breakfast of Champions was my first Vonnegut novel and after reading it, suddenly books were reintroduced into my life, which was long overdue (no library pun intended).
I finished up my summer at the coffee shop and moved to Florida where life took me over again and I kind of forgot about reading. Which brings me to #26 on my list, read a book a week for an entire month.
The first book I chose was a James Patterson Novel, Cross Country. I decided May 2011 was a good time to start this whole reading thing because (I’ll be real) it’s one of the easier things on my “before 30” list and at this period in my life I need to relax and soak life in.
It was a Saturday night when I started #26. I decided to have a huge kick off event for it- complete with a bubble bath, candles, tea, and a facemask. It was lovely. The hardest part about crossing number 26 off the list was finding time to read. I became quite crafty. Sometimes I would make my class do silent reading so I could indulge in my current book. Other places I read my books included the stadium over by the dog park in Apopka, relaxed with an ice cream cone and coffee after work one evening. The beach will always be one of my favorite places to read, I did that quite a bit…well the Barrington Pool (the pool I sneak into down the road). But yes, not only do you acquire a certain knowledge from reading but it serves as a relaxation period as well. After Cross Country, I quickly finished 6 others. It was fabulous.
Here’s a rundown of my thoughts about each book:
Cross Country by James Patterson: Not thrilled, but it was a self esteem booster to finish a book really quickly.
Cat’s Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut: Kurt Vonnegut is my kind of guy. Life’s funny and this book re-enforces that notion.
The Stranger by Albert Camus: WTF? Camus you be one crazy man. Also- remember to live life before it’s too late and appreciate the things you’ve got before your time on Earth is up.
Ham on Rye by Charles Bukowski: I think everyone should be a little bit more like Bukowski.
A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby: If you like to read things without a plot or purpose read this book. If you like Nick Hornby, stick to High Fidelity.
A Man Without a Country by Kurt Vonnegut: Vonnegut’s commentaries on society are always interesting to read about. I think he had a lot of things figured out. And remember: “Peculiar travel suggestions are dancing lessons from God”
Franny and Zooey by J.D. Salinger: Society’s pressures sure can get you down. Careful what beliefs you invest yourself in… and just think anyone you meet could be the fat lady.
Lately books definitely serve a different purpose than merely a means to educate myself, they serve as a relaxation and meditation tool. Not much can top sitting down with a hot cup of chamomile tea and a good book -Epitome of delight. ☺ Take away: no matter how nerdy society deems avid readers, reading is fun. and cool. and awesome. and relaxing. and everyone should give it a chance...The End
