Is It a Deal?

Like most—maybe all— writers, I learned to write by writing and, by example, by reading books. ~ Francine Prose

If you want to be a writer, you need to read a lot of books. I really believe that. That’s the quickest way to learn the craft. That’s awesome, because reading is fantabulous. Reading is a delightful journey. Reading is discovery. Reading is escape. Reading is coming home.

I love reading, so that part is easy. Finding the time, that’s another story.

When do I read? Like you, I often sandwich bits of it between other activities. A snatch here and a snatch there. It helps to keep a book in the car for those waiting moments, and one in the bathroom can come in handy. A few pages at bedtime is always a treat, provided I can find my reading glass. I only need them at night, so it shouldn’t be hard to keep track of them, should it?

Long stretches of time for reading hard are to come by, but very enjoyable. Refreshing. Uplifting. Comforting. Restful. I treasure such luxuries. Wrapping up in a comfy quilt and sipping hot chocolate improves the experience, if you can imagine. However, reading in hammock under the summer sun is just as lovely.

There’s no shortage of reading material in my world. I can’t possibly live long enough to read everything I’d like to. It’s my privilege to personally know lots of wonderful authors. I wish I could read all their stuff. Since I have a limited budget, I love, love, love the library.

As a lover of picture books, I frequent the picture book section of the library. I bring home armloads of picture books and devour them, sharing tasty morsels with my family, especially the peanut butter crowd. A well-written picture book is magical. Sharing the magic is unforgettable.

My book club is awesome. We meet once a month over potluck and talk about the book we just read. We have fun and they keep me reading. They have introduced me to authors and books I had never met. Sharing a good book with friends is like hiking a mountain together. It’s a fun path, and the view at the top is incredible.

I read some great stuff last year. I wish I had kept a list. What were your favorite reads last year? You tell me yours, and I’ll tell you mine.

Is it a Deal?

Linda Garner

Cover to Cover

Cover to Cover, that’s the name of a book club I belong to. We meet once each month over lunch and talk about books. Of course we are great friends and we talk about lots of other stuff beside books, but sharing books gives us a wonderful excuse to get together. Reading with my friends has broadened the scope of my reading.

We don’t all have the same interests, but we include a little something for everyone. We like variety. Each year we like to include a classic, a children’s book, something current, an old favorite…you get the idea. We decide together what books we will read and set up a schedule, a different book each month. We meet in a friend’s home. The lunch is potluck and the conversation flows freely.

In December, when everyone is extra busy, instead of having a book to read, we each bring a Christmas Story to share. Anything goes. It can be a novel, a picture book, a short story. This is a fun tradition. It warms our hearts without overwhelming us.

I’ve been wondering which story I would like to share when we meet later this week. There are a lot to choose from. I am reading The Sprit of Christmas, a brand new book by Jennie Hansen, Betsy Brannon Green, and Michele Ashman Bell. It has 3 short stories, one by each author. I happened to have a delightful visit with Michele at a book signing on Saturday in Seagull Book. After visiting with Michele, I bought this charming book as an early Christmas gift for myself. Perhaps I will share one of these new stories, or Michele’s picture book, A Candle in the Window. This story is a tender one, based on an experience from her Grandmother’s life. You’ll love the story and the pictures are gorgeous.

Do something nice for yourself today. Buy yourself an early Christmas gift, and read it…Cover to Cover.

Linda Garner