Live in Books

I was recently asked where I lived, not literally, figuratively, and without a seconds hesitation said 'in the pages of a book'. Yesterday I found this wonderful quote 'I don't just want to read books, I want to climb inside and live in them'. I find this so representative of people who love books and reading, and also the writers who enthral us with their carefully crafted words. Do other people feel as thrilled by the words such as book, writing, word, novel, writer, journalist. Do other people love shops which sell all kinds of pens and paper and when there is a sale on find it difficult to resist adding to the collection of journals, spring bound books and wonderful pens. I have a whole shelf of books to write and plan in, making a choice for a new project can be excruciating. I have piles on my kitchen table to record things in, to make research notes, to plan my life and to 'hold that thought' process.

I find it difficult to understand people who don't devour books, who have no desire to live within the pages of books. To settle there and become at one with the story. Disappearing into the world of another, whether is is fiction or non-fiction, is so exhilarating it is better than any kind of drug. Curling up on a cold day with the heater on and disappearing into an unknown world is wonderful.

I had someone visit on Monday who struggles to read a book, who tries but is not very literate. I tried to persuade her that the more reading she does the more literate she will become and her choice of book will widen. Unfortunately I got a response I get from so many others I try to explain the joys of reading to, 'but I am not like you, I can't read like you, You are different'. I find this very sad and explain that yes, while I have always loved books and was encouraged to read it only requires practice, desire and attention People need to find books that fill a passion, to sit and disappear into another mind, country, journey and life. Why is reading no longer encouraged in the way it was when I was young, why do women like the one who visited me fail to see the ecstacy that can be gained from living in the pages of a book.

I just received a Facebook message about Michael Hingson who escaped the Twin Towers with his guide dog Roselle. I had the privilege of meeting Michael and having a photo taken of my guide dog with his, a real honour. His book Thunder Dog is about his journey with Roselle, and explains his thoughts and feelings on being saved by his precious guide dog.



As a guide dog handler I love books about service animals, and often find You Tube videos about the role they play in their handlers lives. I hope more people write about these animals, I have written a long story about my guide dog which I hope to have published one day.

I intend to discuss authors and books in this blog, but want to also explore the philosophical aspect of books and their contents, the authors, and thoughts and feelings about writing. I just looked at the wide variety of books I have to read on my talking books machine, books which range from Jeffrey Archer's Clifton Chronicles  to Arctic exploration, Raoul Wallenberg and The Handmaid's Tale. I want to crawl into these books and explore their very being.