books

Nothing brings me greater joy than reading a good book. And often after reading such books I am in a dreamlike state, existing in the story I just read, letting everything seep into me.

Sometimes when I read good books I want to share them with everyone, parade around the street and shove it in people’s faces, demand they read it and enjoy it and feel the same things I felt. But other times I just want to keep the book for myself only; a private joy that no one else will know, something only mine.

And when anyone asks me to recommend a book, I am elated and jump at the chance, offering that poor soul a list of at least twenty that they absolutely must read, sometimes even including those special books that are important to me (depending on the person). I recommend everything from poetry to novels, children’s books, graphic novels, nonfiction, etc. I just want to share the magic of good books with people.

John Green wrote, “Sometimes, you read a book and it fills you with this weird evangelical zeal, and you become convinced that the shattered world will never be put back together unless and until all living humans read the book. And then there are books which you can't tell people about, books so special and rare and yours that advertising your affection feels like a betrayal.”

This quote exactly describes my relationship with books. (I even italicized the same part without realizing it, ha!) I think so many people can relate to this quote because books leave such an effect on people and their lives.

[On another note, comics are highly underrated, in my opinion. Too many people brush them off as things only appropriate for children; while in fact many that I have read have just as beautiful stories as literature does. And beautiful artwork to boot? How anyone can’t enjoy that is something I’ll never understand. Read Blankets by Craig Thompson and Koko Be Good by Jen Wang, or any variety of the lovely storytelling available in web comics online (like Sakana, Todd Allison & The Petunia Violet, June, Curio...I could go on), and you’ll see what I mean.]