4.03.2012

Why I Read



We had family over for dinner on Sunday, and at one point I glanced over and saw that my brother-in-law's girlfriend was looking at books with Maggie. She had three books in her hand, and showed each of them to Maggie, letting her pick one to read. And Maggie was enthralled. The books weren't even open yet, but she was just captivated. I knew that she loved books, but since she sits in my lap when we read, I hadn't seen that look of interest and concentration on her face. And I thought, "Why does this baby girl love books so much? What is it about them that draws her in?"

A few months ago, I was reading a dear friend's blog post in which she discussed why she reads. {I hope she doesn't mind that I'm mentioning her; I didn't tell her I was writing this post beforehand.} I wasn't surprised by what she said, because it's something that we've talked about before, but what she said stuck in my mind because my own reasons have always been so different. Since then I've been pondering why I read books, and I think I'm ready with my answer.


I think I read for the love for a good story. A new story. One that takes me to a new place and introduces me to new people. One of my favorite things is reading something for the first time. My mother and I have often discussed what a gift it would be to be able to go back and read cherished books again for the first time.

I love being surprised by what I'm reading, both by the turns in the narrative and in the words themselves, in the writing. I love being presented with a new idea; it's like the author is saying, "Here, think about this. Here, think about it in a different way. Here, try thinking this way."

I love to read a story that is beautiful. Beautiful, meaning that it tells the truth about an aspect of human life. I love stories that emphasize the beauty in my own life, that clarify my joy and give expression to my emotions. I love stories that remind me of my life, and I love stories that I'm glad I've never lived. I love stories that are sad because they teach me about sadness.

I love stories that teach me about the strength of human nature, and ones that inspire me to be better. To be more of myself.

I love to read because when I read I forget that I'm reading, and I just see what's happening in front of my eyes.

I think I most love the personal relationships that I get to explore through reading. When I was a teenager this love took the form of loving love stories, because I found romance the most interesting form of love at the time. Now that I've lived at least a part of my own love story, I love to read about different relationships, too. The stories of mothers and daughters and sons used to be somewhat boring, but they hold a special place in my heart now.

I sometimes stay up late, far later than I should, to keep reading. Why? I always want to know. I want to know what's going to happen next. I want to read that beautiful, intense moment of storytelling, so I can keep it in my mind and return to it later. I want to mull it over and feel the thrill of it again and again, like rolling and tasting a piece of chocolate around in my mouth until it dissolves. Maybe that's the draw of reading -- the experience, the knowledge.

Why do you read? I'd love to hear! Feel free to wax poetic; I certainly did. {I hope you'll forgive me for it.}

*image by Yan Gong on Flickr.

6 comments:

  1. My mom said that I would get emotionally invested in the smallest things. She told me a story once about how I ran up to her crying one day because someone had died in the movie I was watching. She asked me why I was crying (because I was old enough to know it wasn't real) and I said it was because it was so sad for the characters and I felt bad for them, even though they weren't real. It's like that when I read.

    I read to immerse myself in someone else's life for a while and to experience their emotions. I get so involved with any story I read that it's almost like I become a part of that person for just a little while.

    And it is such a relief to think about someone else's problems for a while too! It gives you perspective on your own problems.

    And mostly, I read to escape into possibilities. I think the reason I love reading fantasy and science fiction the most is that so many wondrous things can happen, just because. It's fun to let you imagination off it's leash and run free.

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  2. I love the emotions that you develop through reading. I think it is so important for some many reasons! haha Loving your blog.

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  3. what a beautiful reason as to why you read.

    "I love to read a story that is beautiful. Beautiful, meaning that it tells the truth about an aspect of human life. I love stories that emphasize the beauty in my own life, that clarify my joy and give expression to my emotions. I love stories that remind me of my life, and I love stories that I'm glad I've never lived. I love stories that are sad because they teach me about sadness.

    I love stories that teach me about the strength of human nature, and ones that inspire me to be better. To be more of myself."

    just beautiful!!
    xo TJ

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  4. Mary you write beautifully. I was feeling all those love-of-reading feelings while I read YOUR story

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  5. Are you on goodreads? You should totally get one. I love seeing what other people are reading. This is a really thought-provoking question. I actually have never really thought about why I love to read so much

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  6. I am on goodreads! Here's a link to my profile.

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