Thursday Thoughts...

Reading has always brought me pure joy. I read to encounter new worlds and new ways of looking at the world. I read to enlarge my horizons, to gain wisdom, to experience beauty, to understand myself better, and for the pure wonderment of it all. I read and marvel over how writers use language in ways I never thought of. I read for company, and for escape. Because I am incurably interested in the lives of other people, both friends and strangers, I read to meet myriad folks and enter their lives - for me, a way of vanquishing the “otherness” we all experience.
Nancy Pearl (Book Lust)

I think Nancy has captured nearly all of my reasons for reading; and all of the things I enjoy about reading and books. She is a spirited advocate of books and just so you know; has her very own Librarian Action Figure modelled in her likeness!

I guess I would add just for pleasure, for escape and for the chance to simply disappear for a few hours.

Books allow me to be alone; yet feel connected. I never feel alone when I am reading a book as I have a real sense of companionship with the book, the story, the words. In addition, Barry and I often read in companionable silence - with one or the other occasionally interrupting to say "listen to this; what do you think about that? haven't they put this beautifully"? So in our separateness, we are still connected.

Books connect so many of us across the centuries and across the world - the original interweb thingy perhaps?

The photos is courtesy of storiesofwordsonpaper. I have called it "heart reading" in my head.