Reading? What's That?

Okay, that's a dumb question. We all read. All day long, every day. Cereal boxes, road signs, billboards, emails...thank a teacher that you can read! It's a blessing that I'll always be grateful for.



I'm a complete bookworm. Thank you.

Having said that, I can tell you I don't read anymore. Not for enjoyment anyway. I used to have a 45-minute commute to work. A six-mile distance took nearly an hour, because of city traffic. I kept a book in my car and would read at each red light because I never could get through the first cycle. So, I read while I inched my car forward. Once in awhile I'd look up to see the car in front of me, way in front of me, and the drivers behind me irate and honking. This was before texting and smart phones, so I'm thinking this isn't a problem anymore. Everyone is probably doing what I'd been doing all along. 

I remember when I used to sneak in moments all day long to snatch a few more pages in the current book I'd borrowed from the library. I'm a library geek. Love walking in and seeing the endless possibilities lined up like soldiers on the shelves. Same goes for a book store. Sheer bliss. 


I recall watching the clock after dinner, waiting for that golden moment when the kids would be in bed and I could get in bed myself and read without interruption. And I'm one of those weird people who can read in the car without getting carsick. In fact, I get carsick easily and reading is how I learned to deal with it. 

But I no longer read. For pleasure. It's such a rarity, I can tell you the last book I did read, but not when - JR Ward's latest Black Dagger Brotherhood book, Lover Unleashed. 


I have two Kindles and a Nook. I have over a hundred books downloaded on them, all with good intentions to be read. I'm hoping to read The Hunger Games before the movie comes out. We'll see.


Why don't I read like I used to? Because I'm busy reading everyone else's books. I edit. A lot. And by the time I'm done working on an author's book, I'm fried and don't feel like reading for my own pleasure (or writing either). Love my work, yet the side effect can be sad.


But a really strange thing happened recently. A few weeks ago, I was thinking about authors who'd influenced me with my own writing, authors whose voices, characters and themes helped me develop my own style. LaVyrle Spencer is at the top of my list (along with a couple of others). Yes, she writes in the older style of more narration, less deep internal POV. Doesn't matter. She weaves stories that fill your head and heart, make you cry and even though the conflict and resolution are over, quite satisfactorily in fact, you don't want the book to end. My favorite book by her is Home Song, an amazing tale of forgiveness. And I was thinking nostalgically about it, because, remember...I don't read anymore, and how I wished I had time to read it again... 


A few days later, we were camping in our motor home and I went into the campground laundromat. I glanced over at the little library that campers have set up to recycle old books and magazines for other campers' enjoyment. On the top of the pile was

Home Song

Coinkydink, you say? Nah, the message was clear. Clear your calendar, you need to read this again. And I am. 


What are you reading right this minute? You aren't reading for your own personal pleasure? That's criminal and I won't tolerate it! Leave me a comment (with your email address) and one lucky commenter will win an Amazon gift card. You can buy a book with it.
Congrats to ALEXA for leaving a great comment! I'll be sending your Amazon gift card soon!