Books are Magic
The last few years have been rough for most folks. Reality began to feel like we were living in the prequel to an insane young adult dystopian novel, still kind of feels that way, doesn’t it? I, like many, suddenly had a lot of time on my hands, what with the not going to work, no longer taking my kids to appointments and just sitting around reorganizing for the millionth time just wasn’t doing it for me anymore. I discovered Book of the Month and voila. I soon had a bookcase full of fresh new books to read and boy did I begin to read. One by one, cover to cover. I had rediscovered my love of words, and how before I had become a mother of four, I spent my free time reading. Even on my ten-minute breaks at work, my nose always in a book. So, what better way to escape reality than to get sucked into a world that may either be better than your own, making you feel hopefully optimistic, or just so awful it puts your own dire situation in perspective: It could always be worse.
Reading has and will always be my respite. A good book has a way of dissipating everything around you, sucking you into a world inside your imagination and you no longer are even aware that you are reading words written on a page. That is because words are magic. I even enjoy listening to audiobooks while I work or drive. I am both nerd and know-it-all. Two facts that I am not ashamed to admit. I also get very excited about a good plot twist or an amazing metaphor and must tell someone. The only problem, no one around me is a bibliophile, and they all just seem annoyed as disinterested. So, you my fine people will be my audience, if you so choose.
Before you get to wondering, no I will not spoil any piece of work I write about, because that is just rude. Never would I be so unkind as to spoil the ending of a great novel like Joey Tribiani. True story, was reading the Shining, did not know the ending, and had that episode on in the background. Was so angry I threw the book at the TV. Rude I say. This blog is more to persuade people to expand their preferences, find hidden gems, and maybe just discover how much words really are magic.
I read mostly thrillers, but I am always trying to find something new, and no genre is generally off limits, however, I read very little in the way of Romance, high fantasy, and sci-fi, but I am always willing to. So, expect a more eclectic range of works, but always expect me to talk about books involving ghosts, murders, and sneaky people. I love a good villain full of complexity, who can even come off sympathetic. A snarky, somewhat broken protagonist trying to make do with what life throws their way. When a character is amazing, plot matters little. I do love a good plot too, don’t get me wrong, but I am all about character’s who feel like real people.
I do not like to rate the books I read, because to be honest if I cannot find something to enjoy, I put the book down and I simply do not finish. If you dig deep enough, there are imperfections from even the greatest of novelists. I always appreciate any writer who can get all those prose onto a page, and even more so when I am pulled into that magical place where I get so lost everything melts away and I am in the book. These are just the books I am reading off my shelf and the reasons why I believe they are worth a read, even if it is not a favorite. Not every book can land of a desert island or top ten list. I am an aspiring author myself and I find aspects from each work I finish to learn from, but I also enjoy each and every story I read. No matter what it is about the book that draws me to it, it’s all about the prose baby.
