I was asked just recently what my summer reading plans were… what book(s) I planned to consume during these hot days and nights. And, all I could do was shake my head and laugh. Were they seriously asking me for a title or titles???!!! And, frankly, I had no answer at all. Realizing how rude it would be not to respond, I decided to explain my situation.

This is where I live:

My whole being is about reading and books! I devour them ravenously and never fill up. Even in the middle of the night, if I awaken (regardless of the time), I read, finish a book, then go searching on my e-reader for another one. It never stops. And, I would be devastated if it did. In fact, at last count (after purging about 100 e-books) I currently have 515 e-books in my e-reader library (maybe 300 I’ve already read, but can’t handle the idea of deleting them).

I can’t have enough books available for perusing.

Novel I Am Currently Writing!

Even when doing some re-decorating this last winter, I went to a web site that sells books by color and the yard. I invested in 1 yard of green books, which cost in the three figures. (Actually, it was a Christmas gift from my daughter and son-in-law… one I begged for.) I have them within bookends, stacked with something pretty on top, and in my entry I have several volumes on the floor under the entry table (as decoration). Although they were only purchased because of their color, I am now going through them to see which ones I will read in the future.

Is it any wonder that I write??!! I mean, it’s not like there aren’t millions and millions of books out there already. I need to give the world MORE choices to read. And I do it with joy.

But, the real joy for me in reading is knowing that I am still in process of becoming the person I am because of what I choose to consume on the written page. I’ve heard the saying: You are what you eat. And, while I understand the meaning behind it, for me, at least, I believe that I am what I read. I am voraciously hungry for material that will satisfy my heart and soul. I want to fill up on those things that will make me better. And, most importantly, I want Jesus to sit right down beside me and read right along with me, enjoying the experience as much as I do. (Did I mention that He is also an author, and a superb story-teller?!) Boy, can He tell a story!

As long as the Lord allows me to keep both my eyesight and my mental capabilities, I read and read and read! So, what I guess I really want to say is…

“Vive la lecture!”