I am a member of TWO book clubs. One I started almost 7 years ago because I wanted to join a club and couldn’t find one in my hometown. The other is part of a women’s organization I belong to. Both meet about once a month and the books have ranged from mysteries to romances to biographies. There have been books I loved and books I hated. I don’t care… I love to read.
My love affair with books began as a child. I was always a voracious reader – probably due to the fact that I spent a lot of time alone as a kid. Books were my passion, they never let me down and they exposed me to all kinds of faraway lands, cultures and people I would never have met in person. While I loved to read, one particular incident made my love to read turn into my NEED to read.
When I was about 15 we spent our summer vacation on the island of Barbados. What was supposed to be a luxurious tropical vacation – we rented a beautiful house for two weeks – turned into my nightmare. One night while we were all sleeping, three men broke into our house and robbed us. I was the unfortunate one to actually wake up during the robbery. I knew there were people in the house but I was so terrified that I froze in my bed and couldn’t move. Good thing because after a while I heard them enter my bedroom. My eyes were frozen shut… I held my breath, praying I wouldn’t give myself away and praying they wouldn’t hurt me. Through my closed eyelids, I sensed the light being turned on… my belongings ruffled through and strange men looking down on me. When you are confronted with terror, the mind does strange things.
I had just finished reading a book that I had picked up at the airport… “Kane and Abel” by Jeffrey Archer. It was an incredible book and remains to this day on the top of my favorites list. So what did I do frozen in my bed with my eyes shut? I reread that book… in my head! I started from page one and zoned myself out of my body and into that book. I followed the story from start to finish in my mind and by the time I was finished, my lights had been turned out and the house was quiet. I survived. And I owe that survival to my love of reading.
So yes, reading to me is more than a hobby… it changed my life… it might have saved my life.
Want an amazing read? Try Kane and Abel by Jeffrey Archer. The book follows two men who couldn’t be more different from birth to death. This will always be a special book to me. Let me know if you read it and what your think of it.
Haven't read the book but I remember when you took that vacation…never knew what gave you the mental strength to make it through this terrifying event.
I wish I would read more. When I do read I tend toward the non-fiction genre (usually self-help or autobiography).
I read the newest Janet Evanovich but I'm getting so bored with the characters (Stephanie Plum series).
Anyhow, thanks for sharing.
Hi, Following you from Bloggy Moms! Nice to meet you! ~Kimberly
http://www.stinkerpinker.com
Hi there!
We have been following each other on Twitter for a couple days now, so I decided to check out your blog.
I must say……between being moms, book lovers, vegetarians, and our desire to write, we have a lot in common!!
You have a new regular reader. 🙂
Reading was always a chore for me until I figured out how to design around some of the weird wirings in my brain, and when I started reading stuff I truly loved. But figuring out what I would enjoy reading wasn't easy either. On the advice of a friend I picked up Kane and Abel and then The Prodigal Daughter, and got turned on to the world of books that is now quite a familiar and welcoming place for me. Your brave posting makes me want to hug you, and to re-read Kane and Abel. Thanks for sharing. Your sister in law — Julie
Sheldon Nesdale says
Hey, I too love Kane & Abel. The story revolves around two men who are born on the same day in two different parts of the world . . . but destiny makes them each other’s worst enemies.