“A room without books is like a body without a soul.”
― Cicero

This is one of my favorite quotes of all times. Even when I was young I’d read all the time. That hasn’t changed. The only thing that has changed is the fact that I need to figure out how to make time to read. As a kid, I’d read before bed, on the train in Germany, on the bus, on the couch, after dinner, in the car (if my stomach could bear it). I’d get super excited for birthdays and christmas because I knew my mom would have an awesome book picked out for me and I couldn’t wait to read it. I don’t discriminate either. I’ll read just about everything. I do have favorites of course. Like R.A Salvatore – I just love his books. I love the Elminster series, the Cleric Quintet, Ann Rice, VC Andrews and even the original Grimm’s Fairy Tales.

I have books in almost every room of our house.. I even have boxes full in the garage still because I don’t know where to put them. I love the smell, the touch and feel of books. I am lucky I have passed that on to my children. They all read – a lot. For me books are not only an escape to a different world, they are also good for the mind and brain. You learn new vocabulary, you learn imagination, you can discuss it with friends, you learn storylines, you can learn something new. I’ve been to places where there is no book to be found, I always thought that odd. It feels empty. I also think you can learn a lot about people by looking at their books. What they like, how they read, even personality types.

It didn’t occur to me until recently that nowadays you can’t “judge a book by its cover” anymore. The rise of e-readers eliminates the book shelf. Not everyone will now have books, and if they do, they’ll likely carry them in a slim tablet. That tells me nothing about who you are. Then again, another enlightened moment – I don’t need to look at your books to make a decision about you. It shouldn’t matter to me if you read, what you read or what you don’t or even HOW you read. But what I can do is encourage you to read. To pick up a book even if it is once a month and read. Not into fantasy? That’s okay, pick a book about life. Or pick up a book that teaches you a new skill (something I want to start soon). If reading isn’t your thing – what about audio books? I know plenty of people who love them.

I’ve asked some of my friends why they don’t like reading and it was often associated with bad experiences in school, or boring books they were forced to read. That shouldn’t deter you from reading or listening. Try again, pick up a book, download it, listen to it. If you have children, read to them, let them read to you, make up your own stories.  It’s the best thing you can do to and for them. READ.

As far as I am concerned, even with the rise of e-readers (and I do have one too) I will always prefer a real book, there will always be books in my house, and you will always find me reading something. What about you? Do you read? Why? What? Who?

On a last note, I am curious by nature. I have questions, more questions and then some. I am investigative. I have a thirst for knowledge. Maybe that’s why I love books – because they have answers, more questions and thought provoking scenarios…