Monday 10 September 2018

The Joy of Reading


One of the best things about being retired is that I now have all the time I want for pleasure reading. I've always read a lot, of course, but during my career it was mostly all for work. Now whatever I read is just for the sheer joy of it!


So I thought I'd start a new series on this blog about reading -- one which will hopefully be very interactive! In my observation, bloggers tend to be serious readers (and often writers too). So I'll be very interested in hearing all your ideas, thoughts, opinions and suggestions on various topics.


Like all my series, posts will be sporadic and interspersed with posts on lots of other topics too. That's just the kind of hairpin I am. And oh yes, I'm sure HRH will have a thought or two on some topics. She's a MUCH more high-brow reader than I am and boy, does she love to remind me of that fact.



So here's the first question for everyone -- is reading for pleasure one of your favourite pastimes too?

42 comments:

Moving with Mitchell said...

Yes. I’ve always got a book going.

DEZMOND said...

You should've used that photo in which a cat is reading How to Kill a Mocking Bird :)
Sadly, with my book job and I don't really have any time to read for pleasure :( When I do it is always historical novels.

Bob said...

Yes.
Reading is FUNdamental.

Parnassus said...

Hello Debra, Yes, I am totally addicted to reading. I haven't even had my tv/dvd plugged in for years because I always seem to choose a book for entertainment. I love my visits to the States because I can go on a book buying spree. My reading matter is extremely varied. Right now I am in the middle of David Brown's aptly named Let Me Entertain You.
--Jim

anne marie in philly said...

@bob - I remember that ad!

yes, I LOVE to read!

^.^ said...

I always have several books at once going, friend D … Many of them are repeats … I love my repeats as they bring me back to the times of first fascination and adoration and infatuation and education … I even still have my high school books with me and I would never ever part with them cuz to me they remind me of liberation through reading … and listening … as that goes for my record collection as well … hint … hint … smiles … for your next topic … records … oh, baby … smiles … Much early morning love, cat.

mxtodis123 said...

I always have several books going at one time. I love reading.

Marie Smith said...

Love to read. Can’t read much now due to an eye problem. When I do read, it is early in the morning for a short time. May soon resort to audio books but not willingly! The feel of the book in hand and turning the pages is a big part of the experience.

miruspeg said...

Definitely one of my favourite pastimes - reading for pleasure.
I only read printed paper books, love the feel of turning pages.
Look forward to your next question Debra!
Hugs
Peggy xxxx

Jeanne said...

I'm always so glad to see people still read. There have been times that I was sure the future was doomed because of video games.

Anonymous said...

Oh yes it is my pleasure, I understand completely what you mean by saying now you may read for sheer pleasure,, what a joy , reading brings us so much to life, it takes us away when times are complicated, it fills all our senses, even though reading is difficult for me now, audio books are my constant companion and I can still read the kindle when I enlarge it to the size of a barn door lol,,,I look forward to your posts!

MrsDuncanMahogany said...

Oh am I going to enjoy this!! I live for reading. Always have a book with me.

Joanne Noragon said...

With 26 soldiers of lead I can conquer the world. Benjamin Franklin.
We'll see. I'm not through to the end, yet.

Kirk said...

Yes. Finding the time is hard, but then that's increasingly true of anything.

Ol'Buzzard said...

I don't even consider reading a pleasure. It is so much a part of me it is like breathing. There is never a time that I am not reading at least one book; sometimes two or three at the same time.

the Ol'Buzzard

It would be interesting to ask your followers what book they are presently reading.

Susan said...

Nothing beats a good book. I am either reading a physical book (which sometimes takes months...) or enjoying a virtual book, which maintains my sanity during my gawdawful commute.

e said...

If someone really wanted to hurt me they would take away my books. I can remember the moment when I learned to read and I've not put down books since. I commuted on the bus for a couple of decades and never minded because I could read before and after work. Come to my house, it looks like a library!
I am excited to follow your new series!!!

Birdie said...

That second meme blew my mind a little.

I love, love, love reading. And you have to take a picture of your bookshelves so I can snoop.

Leanna said...

I just love to read. I've never thought of it as a real pleasure. It's just something that I do most of the time. Right now I'm reading Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan is okay. I'm reading that right now.

Lady M said...

So busy - but hopefully time to read after Halloween.

Debi said...

Hairpin...you make me laugh out loud! I wear shiny hairpins to keep my 16 hairs in place! Okay, what is you query? ( see I read some! )

I read out of necessity, so I am able to clear out the upside down world and sleep! In the past 2 yrs my reading has doubled I've gone through two eye perscriptions and headed for a third, now that Canada has joined the Twilight Zone.

Love your new series, , excellent observation, now if only people would read FACTS! ( sorry I slipped)


Laura said...

Oh yes! I don't know what I would do without it. It is the only activity I can do that doesn't exacerbate my headaches.

blessings
~*~

Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com said...

I'm working on enjoying reading more. I know. It shouldn't take work. But I was turned off by it for different reasons, most of my life. Now, I read for fun and to improve my writing.

PS HRH, I hope that book helps you as much as it helped me, sweetie.

Cheers.

krayolakris said...

Avid reader since age 4! I have books in every room, and usually have a few going at once!

Hena Tayeb said...

Absolutely.. I wish there was a job where all I could do was read.

https://www.henatayeb.blogspot.com

Rosemary said...

There was a time when it was thought that books would disappear i.e due to kindles etc, but there is nothing like the feel of a proper book in your hands, especially one that has you held in its grip.

bj said...

I like reading, too, but I take mine by spells. I read night and day before I got a computer...and a blog....and found favorite blogs to read.
I don't like history or factual books...I love romance and scary books. Mr. Sweet was the reader in our family...he loved true stories and history. Our daughter, Stacy, loves reading and always has.

Kay G. said...

Oh my, I do love my books but please do NOT give me any works of fiction!

Snap said...

Reading is a pleasure and a pastime for me. I've been away from the 'puter because of horrendous thunderstorms. Lost power yesterday and sat on the balcony most of the afternoon and evening reading. when the light went away, I listened to the baseball game on the transistor radio. I read two books HRH might like ... cozy mysteries featuring two "magical" cats -- Owen and Hercules. Pure brain candy. I also read serious stuff........
Hugs-----

Martha said...

Oh my gosh YES! Reading is my oxygen :)

Bill Lisleman said...

I just finished a book, "A Deal with the Devil". A new book about one of the biggest cons the world has seen. A French psychic is used to con people around the world through direct mailings.
I probably read more magazines, newspapers, and web pages than books. Also, the books are almost always non-fiction.
Yes retirement does allow more time to read.

baili said...

I loved this idea about your new series of posts dear Debra!

Ah! i am waiting for the time when i will be able to read as peacefully as i used to in my teenage or youth

laughter busted out when i looked at this proud and adorable reader at end lol

Jill said...

It sure is! Always one of my favorite things to do... though don't have nearly as much time as I wish I did to read. I'd also like to write a book one day :-)

Blessings,
Jill

mshatch said...

I love to read and cannot wait to retire so I can read more! Is that your kitty? She's gorgeous!

Professor Chaos said...

Nothing better than a good book. Except maybe a kittycat reading a good book.

Laura said...

I am going through a new phase in my reading.
I listen to audio books when I am in the car, and I have a book on my kindle on my bedside table AND I continue to buy interesting looking books at thrift stores.

Sigh...

I also don't force myself to read a book to its end if it is a beating.

My audio books are from the public library as are my books on kindle.

I sound like a grouchy reader!!

That you for your visits to my blog. Your comments are always spot on:)
Laura

G.B. Miller said...

It has always been for pleasure every since I was a little person. It has tailed off recently in the past few months ever since I've discovered podcasts. Prior to that, I used to average about two books read every 1 1/2 weeks or so. Even decided to keep a lengthy list of what books I've read for this year (41 so far) but it has petered out badly in the 3rdQ of this year. Started to bounce back very slowly, and as I make my way through my podcasts, will probably start reading a bit more in the process.

LL Cool Joe said...

I wouldn't call reading a pleasure, but I don't hate it either. I read more now than I used to, and I feel it's good for me.

Guillaume said...

Cats reading Sartre? That is no joke, that must be true.

Magic Love Crow said...

That's a hard question for me! I actually love to read, but when I do, I think, I could be painting, or meditating, or catching up in blog land! LOL! I really have to sit down and say, that's it, I'm reading!! This will be a good series you and HRH are going to do! Big Hugs!
(No worries about the picture. Do it when you can!)

Winter Moon Books said...

I love reading, and steal a chapter or two whenever I can. I never go anywhere without a book. ♥

yellowdoggranny said...

reading is one of my great happinessess...ess?