It’s summertime – the perfect time for a little book bliss!
In honor of Book Lovers Day on August 9th, my writerly pals and I are having fun by sharing all the ways we adore reading. Please join me and the awesome bloggers listed at the end of this post who also share their libre love.
There are so many reasons I love books, but I’ve narrowed it down to five:
A Way to Escape Reality
“Literature is the most agreeable way of ignoring life,” wrote Fernando Pessoa in The Book of Disquiet.
Oh, the luxury of getting caught up in a good story that takes you away! Especially when life gets a bit tough. Much better than watching TV. Books allow us to stretch our imaginations and immerse ourselves in another world. Let’s be honest, books can save our sanity sometimes.
Some Spiritual Inspiration
This is one of the greatest things about reading. I’ve been reading the lyrical book of Psalms this summer and it is positively uplifting and strengthening. I write a lot about finding happiness, but the Bible wisely tells us the secret: “Happy are those conscious of their spiritual need.”
Read something spiritual and inspirational every day and reap the benefits!
A Chance to Cuddle with Our Kids and Grandkids
When my children were small, I loved snuggling and sharing my favorite books with them.
Some of the classic books they loved were Goodnight Moon, Are You My Mother?, Dr. Seuss books, Where the Wild Things Are, Bernstein Bear books, The Boxcar Children, Runaway Ralph, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, and Charlotte’s Web.
Now, lucky me, there are grandchildren!
An Opportunity to Learn and Explore
“The world was hers for the reading,” Betty Smith wrote in A tree Grows in Brooklyn.
Since I was a child, I’ve always loved reading nonfiction books to learn more about the world. In fact, books inspired me to want to see more the world – which I’ve been fortunate to do over the years.
At a writer’s conference years ago, Ray Bradbury told us aspiring writers to read one short story, one poem, and one essay on a variety of topics each night for a great intellectual foundation. Great advice!
The Feel and Smell of Books
My Mom and I used to spend hours scouring old bookstores.
As a result, I’ve got quite the book collection including some cherished first editions from the 1800’s. I absolutely adore looking at, feeling, and smelling these old books.
A library gives me the same warm, fuzzy feeling.
Ways to Celebrate National Book Lovers Day
My writer friends and I are obviously in love with words and we’ll use any excuse to celebrate our love of books.
National Book Lovers Day encourages you to find your favorite reading spot, a good book, and read the day away.
So revisit a favorite novel, learn something new from a non-fiction book, explore a place you’ve never visited in a travel book, dive into something motivational or inspirational, visit your library or a used bookstore, read a book to a child, or discover a new author.
Thanks for stopping by! For more book love, please visit these awesome bloggers next. Then, please share all the reasons you love reading in the comment section below!
Cat Michaels, Cat’s Corner
Ode to Books: Check out this fun poem that celebrates books from this wonderful children’s author!
Auden Johnson, Dark Treasury
Celebrating Books Through Photography: Auden creatively combines her love of books and photography in her blog.
Carmela Dutra, A Blog for Your Thoughts
Book Lover’s Day: A heartwarming article that reinforces the importance of reading to our children.
JD Holiday, JD’s Writer’s Blog
Celebrating Book Lover’s Day on 9 August: Enjoy these pics that demonstrate the joy of reading anywhere!
Corrina Holyoake, Venturing into the Unknown
Book Lovers Day: Corrina shares ways she will be celebrating Book Lovers Day!
Leigh Shearin, Writer
Paging Mr. Jonathan Seagull: “Books will love you through it all, tolerant of scorn and neglect, they remain faithful even while the hours of your life whirl and lash around you,” she writes. Elegantly written!
Söndra N. Rymer, Fairy Tales Imagery
Book Lovers Day: Sondra asks you to go back in time and look at that one special book in your childhood or as a teenager that laid a brick to your path as a future artist.
Rhonda Paglia, Children’s Author
Book Lover’s Day Blog Hop Fun! Fellow baby boomer and Grandma Rhonda shares her memories of her favorite books as a child as well as her favorites today that you may want to check out.
Sandra Bennett, Sandy’s Story Chair
Seven Signs You are a Bookahollic: No. 1 sign you are a bookaholic – your bookcases are overflowing with books in every room and it would break your heart to throw even one away. Oh dear…that’s me!
Author K. Lamb
A Book Lover’s Birthday : Book Lovers Day just happens to be the day this author gave birth to her daughter – and in sense the birth of her protagonist Dani as well.
Maurice Chuka, David Chuka, Children’s Book Author
Book Lover’s Day: This author traces his love of books back to his childhood growing up in Nigeria and power outages.
Rosie Russell, Rosie’s KidLit Blog
What Books Mean to Me: Books are treasure chests, full of imagination, inspirations, characters, and tales of the unexpected.
Love this blog Julie! I agree with you, there is something about the feel and smell of a book. I love walking into a used book store for that very reason. I find myself picking up books, opening them just to sniff them. Oh what the book store cats must think of me!
Thanks for stopping by, Carmela. I could live in old book stores!
My main reason for loving books is the escapism. I’ve been to the Yukon during its Gold Rush via “White Fang” and “Call of the Wild.” I’ve been to a life here on Earth where a fireman’s job is to burn books in “Fahrenheit 451.” I’ve stood at the edge of the heart of a volcano next to a Hobbit who, overcome by his addiction to a ring, puts the cursed thing on his finger and vanishes from my sight in “The Return of the King.” And I’ve been to England and watched the daughters of a family sort out finding husbands among soldiers and the very wealthy of the realm in “Pride and Prejudice.” All while sitting in comfort and safety.
And to learn. I’m fascinated by almost everything in the world around us and I love learning about as much of it as I can.
Great, great reasons to love books, Pearl. Thank you for sharing all the classics you’ve enjoyed. We have read many of the same books, and I couldn’t agree with you more!
Julie, I used books as a child to escape from awkward teen years. today, I ‘read’ with audio and earbuds while I walk and exercise. Guess you could say books keep me in good shape all around -:D.
Yes, I used books the same way as a teen. And I’m glad books are keeping you in shape now – great idea!
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I would have loved to have been at that conference with Ray Bradbury! What an opportunity!
I thoroughly enjoyed your entire blog, especially the quotes and your commentary.
Ray Bradbury was the greatest speaker I ever heard at a writer’s conference. It was indeed a privilege to hear him speak (and sign a book!) Thanks for stopping by!
Hi Julie! I loved your article for Book Lovers Day!
My favorite time is one you wrote about, “A Chance to Cuddle with Our Kids and Grandkids!” What a wonderful time to spend with a child, reading and exploring new stories together!
Happy Book Lover Day – August 9th!
Rosie Russell
Thanks Rosie! I agree, nothing better than snuggling with kids and a book! Happy Book Lover Day to you as well!
Hi Julie – I really enjoyed reading your “Book Lovers Blog!” I love when you said, “Books allow us to stretch our imaginations and immerse ourselves in another world.” I feel the same way – it’s like books are the “take me away Calgon” journey into another world and cracking open the world of imagination. Thanks for sharing and Happy Book Lovers Day!
Thanks for stopping by Rhonda – loved your “take me away Calgon” comparison. Made me smile. Happy Book Lovers Day to you too!
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Hi Julie! I agree with all the enjoyments of reading you listed. My grandson it too old now to read to. He’s very busy reading his comic books. I too love the sound of book! Great reason to read alone!
Thanks for stopping by me blog! ~JD
Ah, the children and grandchildren grow up too fast! But yes, reading alone has its pleasures! Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
So jealous, hearing Ray Bradbury speak must’ve been amazing. I’ve always used books as a way of escaping. It’s so relaxing getting lost in a book after a tough day.
So happy to read your post Julie and the reasons you gave are very insightful.
My person favourite is ‘Read something spiritual and inspirational every day and reap the benefits!’ So true and the book of Psalm is a treasure trove of great stuff!
Happy Book Lover’s Day.
That’s my favorite one too, David! Happy Book Lovers Day back at you!
Hi Julie, Another fantastic blog for book lovers day. I can relate to all of your points, particularly the feel and smell of books. I remember the smell and atmosphere in the library at Trinity College in Dublin, it was so inspiring. I could sit and breathe in the ambiance for hours.
Thanks, Sandra. I’m with you – I love the ambiance, peacefulness, and atmosphere at libraries as well as old book stores!