When I’m too old to drive, pack my lunch each morning and drop me for the day at the library. Any library. Or bookstore.
For longer periods, leave me at the Library of Congress.
Books! Stories! What people do and why they do it is fascinating and nuanced. Since I could write my name, I’ve had a library card no matter where I live and that small item is one of my most used possessions. Vastly eclectic, my reading list includes everything except erotica and horror – the former because I never want my attention on something that would embarrass me, my kids, or grands and the latter because I don’t like nightmares. Not long ago, when life and my reading list had been overly intense, I settled in with the serene and sweet adventures of Winnie the Pooh. Medicinal. Therapeutic.
Reading Memories
Most precious are memories of reading with my children. Daily we read from the Bible and prayed. My goal was that they felt comfortable and familiar with the oversized book with delicate pages filled with tiny type. As each of my seven learned to read, we rotated reading aloud so everyone was practiced in our close peer group where this was commonplace. With the elements of a blockbuster movie, the book of Esther featured a powerful king, evil bad guy, a life and death deadline, and a beautiful woman with a mysterious past. Other wonders and adventures included Creation, Ruth’s devotion, David’s mighty men, and the life of Jesus Christ. Reading a chapter took seven minutes. Reading a chapter of the Old Testament, Psalms, Proverbs, and the New Testament was a cozy 30 minutes together connecting and belonging.
When each child could read and write, they kept a Bible diary. For personal devotions, each of us read the Bible and recorded chapter and date in a blank book, a one sentence summary, a vocabulary word and its definition, and copied a favorite verse. I treasure those books alongside their baby books.
In addition to the stack of titles next to my bed, most of my reading currently is audio books while driving, gardening, and maintaining hearth and home. I write and read several projects simultaneously. Is there any other way?
Recommendations to Read
My floor to ceiling bookshelves house signed copies and favorites from Richard Paul Evans, Vince Flynn, and Ken Gire. Also Karen Hancock, Jerry Jenkins, Jan Karon, Charles Martin, Bill Myers. Next to those are books by Mary Stewart, and the audacious Clive Cussler. John Erickson’s Hank the Cowdog series is brilliant and laugh-out-loud funny as is Richard Peck’s Grandma Dowdel books, and The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson. Making me cry for the right reasons is All The Places To Love by Patricia MacLaughlin, Jill Briscoe’s The Innkeeper’s Daughter, and The Littlest Angel by Charles Tazewell.
When I have a question, I find a book from Blue Zones and Terry Wahl’s Cookbook. Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook by Donald Maas on the topic of crafting novels. For personal growth, The Deepest Well by Nadine Harris, and 10x is Easier Than 2x by Dr. Benjamin Hardy and Dan Sullivan.
Found in libraries, bookstores, and garage sales, books are perpetual touchpoints, invitations to explore unhindered by distance or time. Across three states, I meet my kids online to discuss our latest literary finds.
What books do you recommend?
Find my novels and books HERE. Homeless for the Holidays and The Girl Who Wore Freedom are excellent read-aloud titles. Get ideas for your own family devotions with the free downloadable guide, Let’s Get Growing.
