Bookish Quote of the Week

Bookish Quote of the Week

I love this quote! And it's so true! It's one of the aspects of reading that I love the most - the ability to read about the experiences of fictional people who ultimately teach me about myself and the people around me!

What about you? Is this something you love about reading? Who is a character who taught you something about yourself?

Bookish Quote of the Week

Have you encountered someone in your life who makes comments like 'spending all this time reading means you're missing your life!" You know, those comments that imply that reading is not a good use of your time. It drives me CRAZY! Reading is a priority for me ... that is why I put aside time in my day to day life to read. If you don't prioritize reading, you probably prioritize other things that I don't prioritize because they aren't as important to me. And to me ... reading is a lifestyle and not a hobby! It's a critical part of my life that I will make sure to fit in at all times.

Do people in your life say things like this that belittle your love of books and reading? What do you say in response?

Bookish Quote of the Week

Yes. Yes. Yes. Books are my escape and my home all at once. I never feel quite myself without a book in hand. They take me all over the world ... and even into worlds that don't exist. Books truly are special in that they can transform our world.

What is your favorite journey that you've been on as a result of a book?

Bookish Quote of the Week

Sometimes it really does feel like my reading list has been growing for as far back as I can remember. I recall making lists of books that I wanted to read while visiting the library with my mother when I was a little girl. Walking along the shelves and writing titles and authors on a piece of paper so I'd be sure to check these books out later! Eventually, I began a notebook of books - books that I'd read, books that I want to read, etc. And I still do that today ...  I keep a list electronically via Goodreads as well as one that I keep in my book journal. But, I know that I will never be able to read all the books that I'd really like to read. The list really is never ending ... but I'm not giving up! I'll keep adding to the list and reading from the list for the rest of my days! 

How do you track the books you'd like to read? Do you keep a list on paper or electronically ... or both?

Bookish Quote of the Week

This is one of my all-time favorite things about BOOKS! I put the book down and I feel like I've made a friend. It's amazing how intimate reading someone's novel or book can be ... it gives you this feeling of knowing them even if you don't. For example, I met Richard Russo at an event once and I was amazed how I was in awe of him and yet felt like he was an old friend all at the same time. After reading so many of his novels, I felt like I knew him. And I'm convinced Hanya Yanigahara is exactly the kind of person that I want to be friends with ... her mind is an amazing place! Authors can just get into our hearts and souls with their work. 

Are there any authors who have made you wish they were personal friends after reading their books? If so, who? 

Bookish Quote of the Week

This quote really resonates with me because I've read a few books lately that really transported me to another time and place. It was a reminder that one of the best things about reading is that it transports the reader to a new place, introduces the reader to new things, and opens the reader's mind to new people. This is one of the most amazing parts of reading ... opening a book is the equivalent of opening your mind to new experiences.

Have any books recently transported you to another time and place? Tell me all about it!

Bookish Quote of the Week

I remember the first time I read this Anna Quindlen quote and sighing to myself ... because I really hoped that my future children would love books as much as I do. And now, years later, I have three kids and only one of them is what I'd call a true reader and lover of books. Our 13-year old twins aren't particularly interested in reading ... they will read but only for school. They never read for pleasure and never seem interested in going to the library or a bookstore. This is really hard for me but I'm really hoping that they will grow into readers. I need to believe that! Until then, I'll focus on covering my own house with books since that makes me happy. I just really hope that my kiddos will all end up being book people ... who I truly believe tend to be the best people!

Do you have children? If so, do they love books and reading? 

Bookish Quote of the Week

I tend to be a collector ... of things ... all sorts of things. I like to have things around me that make me happy. Especially books. I completely de-cluttered almost all of my books a few years ago - I was reading mostly e-books and thought less book clutter would make me happy. Unfortunately, it didn't make me happy. In fact, I missed them. A LOT! Seeing books in my living spaces makes me happy and it also makes me feel at home. And so I've slowly been working on rebuilding my library ... one book at a time. And it does feel in some ways that I'm collecting happiness ...

Do you collect books? Do you collect other things?

Bookish Quote of the Week

If you read my post over the weekend about Little Women, it should be no surprise that I've chosen a quote this week written by Louisa May Alcott. I am definitely too fond of books ... and they have definitely turned my brain! If I was forced to choose, this just may be my all time favorite quote.

And so, my question for you is ...

what is your all-time favorite quote?

Bookish Quote of the Week

I would agree 100% that my own personal paradise would be a library (or an independent bookstore). It feels like I've walked into HOME every time that I go to a library or bookstore. It's a safe place, a comforting place ... a place where I am surrounded by something that truly makes me happy - books!

What is your version of paradise? 

Would it also involve books and reading? 

Bookish Quote of the Week

This quote really speaks to me ... I can't imagine my life without books and reading. They are such a huge part of my day-to-day life that it truly isn't optional for me. It's a required activity that I don't want to even imagine my life without. I have a really hard time understanding people who don't read on a regular basis. My husband and my best friend are not readers and it's really hard for me to relate to that aspect of their life. Not reading for me would be the equivalent of not eating. Reading is just part of who I am.

And so ... my question for you is ...

What about you? Is reading optional for you? 

Changes Coming ...

You are going to be seeing a number of changes here on the blog as I try to be a bit more present here and make sure I have a variety of content here for all of you! I tend to focus on reviews but I'd like to give you all MORE! You'll be seeing more variety as well as more frequent posts!

I don't know about you but I love quotes ... especially quotes about my favorite thing ... BOOKS! So, let's get this new phase of the blog started with one of my favorite quotes by Anne Lamott. Please comment and let me know if there are specific things you'd like to see me do here on the blog! I'm excited to see where this can go!