Reader Fever

I would never have described myself as an avid reader growing up. Rather than using my school’s annual summer reading lists to find a new favorite book, I would instead ask the librarian to help me find the books and then narrow it down to the ones slimmest in size.  On occasion I would even opt for the yellow cliffs notes versions of the classics (not realizing at the time that I wasn’t short-changing anyone else but myself). Reading and pleasure were never in the same sentence together. My mother, on the other hand, could always be found with a book nearby – she had stacks and stacks of finished and unfinished paperbacks and would even wake up in the middle of the night just to read. 

It wasn’t until I started working in the city a few years ago that I really started adding to a collection of my own. Being a person with so little patience I discovered that having a book in hand helped pass the time and anxiety of waiting for the bus/train. While engulfed in a story, I no longer angrily looked at the time wondering why my given form of transport was late yet again. What started out as one book a month turned into nearly a book a week as I read faster and more frequently. It only started to become a problem when I ran out of shelf space! 

The solution came in the form of a book swap with my mother, now that we shared the same passion for reading. Not only did we trade books, but ideas as well – what we thought of the book, what we liked, what we disliked, etc. Even though my parents have moved out of state, we still continue the tradition of exchanging books along with cards on birthdays and holidays. For me it’s just another way for us to stay close, despite being a million miles away. 

If you also share this same zeal for reading then you’re in luck because the hosts an Adult Booktalk every first Thursday of the month at 7:30 p.m. on the second floor in room 4. If you’re into the types of book clubs that sit around and drink tea all afternoon, then this isn’t the place for you. If, however, you’re willing to learn something new, read some great books and engage in really interesting conversations then you will definitely enjoy this group…new members are always welcome!

Happy Mother’s Day to my Mom and to all the mothers out there. Without you, our lives wouldn’t be possible!