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Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Books Bring Happiness

Really, they do.  There was one semester in college where I was pretty overwhelmed.  I had a heavy class load, lots of homework, some outside commitments and a little bit of Roommate Drama.  Nearing the end of the semester I had to face the fact that I had become bitter, angry and frustrated.  One weekend, sick of myself and not caring whether or not I failed, I pulled out a novel and began to read. 

Bliss. 
 
After a couple hours I felt pleasantly rejuvenated.  Even better, I felt almost happy again.  That was when I realized that overcome with everything going on I had stopped reading.  Seeing firsthand the difference it made in myself I vowed never to completely stop reading again.  There have been times when I only manage a sentence or two a day but I still do it.  It’s part of my well being, like eating healthy and exercising.  Well, I do exercise (cause I can listen to books on tape) and I mostly eat healthy…..

I know some writers who stop reading when they’re working on a novel.  I know some that won’t read in their genre/time period, and some that will only read in their genre/time period.  Everyone has a system that works for them, that helps them be their best.  Mine is to keep a book within arm reach so if everyone is fed and clean and occupied and no one needs me for five seconds that five seconds can be spent reading.  Trust me; we’re all happy I do. 

8 comments:

  1. You'll get my book only when you pry it from my cold, dead hand. (With apologies to the NRA and the late Charlton Heston. ; )

    I'm with you, Sara. Reading is life. I read everyday even if I don't feel like doing anything else, but breathing.

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  2. Hey Spesh,

    I have a book always ready, too. The thing is that I know people who can´t read for only a minute or so during a short pause. Many people say, that there need more to time to "get into the reading" to enjoy it. I´m happy that I don´t need time to get into the reading.

    Sarah

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  3. Zan Marie, what do you mean? Reading IS breathing.

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  4. Sarah, thanks for commenting! I'm glad you can drop into reading fast. I think I developed that skill because without it I wouldn't have time to read.

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  5. If wouldn´t have time to read much lately, if I couldn´t drop into reading fast, too. So, I´m very glad, that I can it .

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  6. I completely agree with you. Books do bring happiness. I recall an article, (well, I don't remember WHERE I read it, I only remember what it said) that women who read books, any genre at all, are much happier, have a better outlook and are more relaxed than those who don't read.
    I stash books like alcoholics stash vodka.

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  7. My book buying habit has come up with my hubby. He's not so much opposed to my buying books as he is to the fact that I keep bringing them home even though I have NO WHERE to put them. He recently bought me a netbook and put a kindle app on it. Very dangerous financially but I think he did it in self defense so he wasn't smothered if a stack of books fell on him at night.

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  8. Hear hear! I can't *not* read.
    And DH has the same problem with me - he keeps saying we have no space and I keep saying things like "well, I had to buy this one, it's by a friend on the Forum!"

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