Why Do You Read?

Surprised Witch
A good witch from the Witch-ee-poos of the Past Coven is surprised by the camera during the Johns Pass Seafood Festival in Madeira Beach Florida. The good witches were on hand to give out candy and other goodies to the little ones . Copyright by WyoJones. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

I wish I could remember THE book that transformed me from someone who knows how to read to a READER. But I can’t. Looking back it seems like one minute I was yawning over “run, Dick, run” and then I was getting in trouble for reading behind textbooks and under the covers with a flashlight.

The fictional worlds created by amazing authors was, at times, more real to me than my real world. I can remember more about the plot of a novel my third grade teacher read to us after lunch than much else about third grade.

I appear to have always had an uncertain relationship with reality. O.O

I know that at least by third grade, I’d learned the fiction could take me places well beyond the bounds of my real world. And I could take those journeys while sitting snuggly in a comfortable armchair.

I still love that about reading.

But my love of reading isn’t just about comfort. The biggest attraction for me is the magic.

When I connect with the words an author uses, I’m swept into a new place, with fun people having amazing adventures. I’ve written about some of those books here on this blog, but this is the first time I’ve written about my passion for reading. (Yes, I checked.)

I love words. I love words grouped together in magical ways. I love what I learn from them. I love “meeting” new words, or getting reacquainted with old words used in new ways.

I love words going into my head. I love words flowing out of my head and onto the page. I remember sitting in a bookstore a long time ago (but not that far away) and someone told me (IN A BOOKSTORE) that they “don’t read.”

That was probably the only time I didn’t have words.

They might as well have said they didn’t eat or sleep or breathe. How do you live in a world without reading books? Books have helped me get through some really tough times. They’ve smoothed rough paths and brightened dark days.

So you know I’m going to ask why you read. I know you do, because you’re here reading these words, so don’t give me that, “I don’t read” line. Though you can tell me what you don’t read, if you feel you must. I’d rather hear what you do read. I’d love to know if you feel the magic, too. And if you remember THE book, I’d be really impressed.

And I enter all comments into my monthly drawing for an AnaBanana gift basket ($25 value). It’s not words, but it is some yummy stuff. Which might make you say words. Cuz the stuff is great. I pick a winner the first blog post of the new month.

Perilously yours,

Pauline

This was the first time enough words flowed out of me to end up being a whole book….

“Pauline Baird Jones’ humor is exquisite comic genius! Her characters are phenomenal and colorful as a rainbow. Move over James Bond!” Suzanne Coleburn, The Bells and Beaux of Romance

Mama wanted her to find a guy, but not like this!

You can buy this book in digital and audio. 🙂