I have always loved to read.  My earliest memories of being transported to another world was in grade school during reading time where the teacher read us “The Wishing Chair” by Enid Blyton. This same author wrote “The Famous Five” and “The Secret Seven” which were made into radio serials that we listened to every week.  I remember devouring books as a kid especially mysteries.  I couldn’t get enough of the Nancy Drew Mysteries and would hide under the covers with a flashlight to sneak in a few more pages.  I was engrossed with the adventures of Encyclopedia Brown and books by Judy Blume were with me through my pre-teen years.

My taste in books hasn’t really changed from when I was a kid.  I still prefer a good mystery and especially a series.  I will read non-fiction every now and then, but most days you’ll find me trying to figure out “who done it”.  My reading has matured, thank goodness, and the authors I enjoy now are Jacqueline Winspear, Laura Childs, Sue Grafton, Monica Ferris, James R. Benn, Spencer Quinn, Dick Francis and Susan Conant.

In the past few years, I’ve borrowed most of the books that I’ve read from the library.  Our library, like most, has a website where I can search the card catalog for titles, reserve books and pick them up when they’ve arrived at my local branch.  Books are available in paper form as well as digital and the digital copies, if available, are delivered in the blink of an eye to my Kindle.  I can check out a paper book for 3 weeks and then renew it for 3 more weeks up to two times.  Digital copies can only be checked out for 3 weeks then I have to request it again if I run out of time and didn’t finish.  I keep a spreadsheet that lists all my favorite authors and their books.  When I read a book, I check it off my list.  I started this practice after I bought, not one but two books, that I had actually already read.

With the many distractions in our world today (tv, movies, internet) it’s easy to forgo reading all together.  What I need to know, I can Google.  If I want to educate myself on a particular topic, I’m sure there’s a documentary producer that’s done all the work for me.  Don’t get me wrong – I love movies, engaging tv series and documentaries as much as the next guy, but there’s nothing like reading a good book.

Something happens to my brain when I read that doesn’t happen when I watch a screen or monitor.   It’s almost as if my brain cells are getting a workout.  I most certainly read for enjoyment, but I also know that I’m better off physically when I read than when I don’t.  (I’m not a neuroscientist, so this is all my own personal account)

I wanted reading to be a significant part of my Quest46 year.  So Item #8 is to read 24 books, basically 2 books a month.  I think that’s do-able especially since I’ve been choosing reading over tv watching much more in the past few months.

What are your favorite authors?  I’m always on the hunt for a good read. 

We were wondering if you’ll be reading any books that have yummy, tasty dog treat recipes in them?  Just a suggestion.