The love of a good book is like no other. No, seriously! The time spent in a book store (or even the more modern online version such as the Book Depository), perusing book titles, reading their blurbs, settling on your next adventure, taking it to the counter (or online checkout) and anxiously waiting to get home in order find that wonderful moment in time when you get to open your book and take in those first few lines is an exciting and beautiful thing!
Reading for me has always been about escapism. Whether it’s a story that’s graced the literary fiction lists, a Coming-of-Age tale located home or abroad, Chick lit antidotes, Crime and/or Courtroom drama, Sci-fi Fantasy or a good old Bodice ripper; they all take us on a journey. Some book’s grab you from the get go, pulling you into its story. Twisting and turning and making you understand and then question the motivation of the protagonist and those who antagonise them. Some books are definitely more of a slow burn. Subtly introducing you to the rich layers of each character and their environment. Getting you truly invested and submerged in its lore before delivering a shocking piece of information that changes the course for all of its players. Of course there are plenty of books out there that don’t appeal or are forgotten shortly after you turn the last page; but for those books that are memorable, that leave their imprint on our psyche, there is no substitute.
I was also very lucky to have some really good English teachers through my schooling. A few teachers through primary school that stand out as actively encouraging my reading would would be Ms Craik, Mrs Burns and Mr Law. Then there was high school. Once again, most of my English teachers were great for which I am grateful. Being able to read and find pleasure in doing so really is a gift. I have quite a collection of books and can never find myself able to part with them. Some I’ve read once, some numerous times. There are novels I read while I was at school that although I can’t remember the title I remember the stories and the many nights spent staying up too late to finish them. There have been books that I have been so immersed in that once finished have left a strange melancholy feeling purely because I wanted them to go on. That may sound strange to some, but for those of us that love books and the works of fiction they give us, it’s a truth.
I’m currently reading Kate Morgan’s newest release, The Lake House. Loving it so far, as I have loved almost all her books. Now I just have to find the time to get truly immersed in it!
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