I spent the better part of my life as an avid reader. Especially in my teen years. I have so many great memories of laying in my parents hammock and reading away. I would read well past my bedtime, every second of every car ride, you name it. I read novels galore and an absolute ton of history books. Then sometime in my 30’s my reading fell off a cliff. Screens slowly replaced the time I used to spend reading books. For a long time I kept reading avidly, on my electronic devices and to this day I have many great books on my phone I could turn to. But I rarely do so. Eventually, lamenting the loss of books from my life I turned to audio books and it has been so great. No, it’s not the same experience as reading a book, but audiobooks have magical qualities all their own. A great narrator can do wonders and some books are a full on radio play type experiences with a diverse cast. But the most meaningful thing is that audiobooks have me back in a place where I am consuming books in copious quantities again. And for that I am profoundly thankful.
Books may come in many formats but that's not what matters, is it? Reading and enjoying reading, that's joy right there. A good story well told is a precious gift whether in print, on a screen or shared orally. It's the pleasure of the story that counts. So glad to hear you've found your way back into reading.
Julie, this is wonderful! I have been smitten with books all of my life, as well, and I am glad my son has been, too. It helped that we home-schooled. I've had a copy of "A Child's Garden of Verses" for as long as I can remember, and of course it was part of our home (un)-schooling "curriculum" (😆).
Congratulations, Julie, on getting your poem published!
It's great I read this post today. I met with great friends, and we book lovers went to an independent bookstore to purchase books. The smell of books greeted us as we walked in, and my heart filled with gratitude for it. I've loved books for as long as I can remember.
Here in the US, in certain states, books are being banned. Oh my gosh! Book banning is a crime to me.
I love all kinds of books, but I'm a bit partial to classical literature. I also love memoir.
Oh the smell of new books! Isn't it lovely? I think that's why I can read books on screens. I love the smell and feel of printed paper and the sound of turning pages...
I've been seeing more and more reels in and news from Canada of folks mimicking the very racist and anti-LGBTQ agenda in Republican America lately, and it's disturbing. My hope is that when AssClown is gone, some of the rhetoric will cool, but that might be wishful thinking :(
I think those attitudes exist everywhere to some extent. They've been given voice by the behaviour of the American givernment. But I refuse to believe these voices represent the majority of ordinary citizens. If we are to move forward though, we all need to find ways to reconcile and embrace each other's opinions and ensure that everyone feels welcome and safe regardless of perceived differences.
Exactly. Although some opinions I will never embrace. The hate is out there, and it's impossible to stuff the genie back in the bottle. It will take changing minds.
I spent the better part of my life as an avid reader. Especially in my teen years. I have so many great memories of laying in my parents hammock and reading away. I would read well past my bedtime, every second of every car ride, you name it. I read novels galore and an absolute ton of history books. Then sometime in my 30’s my reading fell off a cliff. Screens slowly replaced the time I used to spend reading books. For a long time I kept reading avidly, on my electronic devices and to this day I have many great books on my phone I could turn to. But I rarely do so. Eventually, lamenting the loss of books from my life I turned to audio books and it has been so great. No, it’s not the same experience as reading a book, but audiobooks have magical qualities all their own. A great narrator can do wonders and some books are a full on radio play type experiences with a diverse cast. But the most meaningful thing is that audiobooks have me back in a place where I am consuming books in copious quantities again. And for that I am profoundly thankful.
Books may come in many formats but that's not what matters, is it? Reading and enjoying reading, that's joy right there. A good story well told is a precious gift whether in print, on a screen or shared orally. It's the pleasure of the story that counts. So glad to hear you've found your way back into reading.
Julie, this is wonderful! I have been smitten with books all of my life, as well, and I am glad my son has been, too. It helped that we home-schooled. I've had a copy of "A Child's Garden of Verses" for as long as I can remember, and of course it was part of our home (un)-schooling "curriculum" (😆).
My copy is rather worn and the cover a bit torn but I still have it. Interesting the books that stay with us through time, isn't it?
Congratulations, Julie, on getting your poem published!
It's great I read this post today. I met with great friends, and we book lovers went to an independent bookstore to purchase books. The smell of books greeted us as we walked in, and my heart filled with gratitude for it. I've loved books for as long as I can remember.
Here in the US, in certain states, books are being banned. Oh my gosh! Book banning is a crime to me.
I love all kinds of books, but I'm a bit partial to classical literature. I also love memoir.
Oh the smell of new books! Isn't it lovely? I think that's why I can read books on screens. I love the smell and feel of printed paper and the sound of turning pages...
Great update on the Calgary book fest, Julie. Congratulations on your publication news!
Thanks, Robin. In these days of book banning, I love to find stories of how readers are pushing back.
Congrats on the publication in Smitten with the Written!!
Thank you!
Book lover here. A love affair since I was six. ❤️📙
Thought so 😉
I've been seeing more and more reels in and news from Canada of folks mimicking the very racist and anti-LGBTQ agenda in Republican America lately, and it's disturbing. My hope is that when AssClown is gone, some of the rhetoric will cool, but that might be wishful thinking :(
I think those attitudes exist everywhere to some extent. They've been given voice by the behaviour of the American givernment. But I refuse to believe these voices represent the majority of ordinary citizens. If we are to move forward though, we all need to find ways to reconcile and embrace each other's opinions and ensure that everyone feels welcome and safe regardless of perceived differences.
Exactly. Although some opinions I will never embrace. The hate is out there, and it's impossible to stuff the genie back in the bottle. It will take changing minds.