Turn the Page

Most of you know I have an addiction.  I read constantly.  I am on Goodreads.com (a great site to keep track of of the books you want to read)  I read over 200 books a year.  I read romance, spirituality, fiction, cozy mystery, thriller, historical fiction, contemporary, chick lit, the classics, biographies, mystery, religion, non fiction, suspense, history....pretty much anything but fantasy, dystopia and science fiction.  I find authors I like and read their books, in order, because with a series, reading OCD is a good thing.

I don't have a house full of books.....well, I do, but I don't.  All of these books I read?  They come from the library.  I have a list of authors and their books, in order. I read 6-8 authors at a time.  I use the online search and request through the Manchester library.  They are part of a network of libraries, so if Manchester doesn't have the book, I can request from another library.  When it arrives, I receive an e-mail notification and I have 5 business days to pick up the books.  All you have to do is walk into the library, grab your books, all nicely labelled and check out.  Super fast..unless you decide to check the new releases......some books are only available to borrow via Kindle.  That works, too...just a few clicks and you have a book for 2 weeks.

There are also websites that have free Kindle downloads.  How cool is that?  I really like reading an actual book...the smell of the paper, the turning of the pages, the mixed emotions as you feel your right hand getting lighter and your left hand getting heavier......you are getting to the end of the book, which makes you a little sad because it's been a great read, but also excited because you are getting to the end of the book and you are pretty sure the author is competent and no matter the genre, will tie all the loose ends and you aren't quite sure how it's going to end.  My Kindle is great for a vacation.  It's a lot lighter than a big plastic tub filled with 30 or so books.  Why so many?  Well, if you are on vacation and sitting on the dock working on your tan, you can easily read 3-4 books a day.  I can think of nothing worse than not having something to read at all times.  Really, like ALL times.  I never, ever, ever go anywhere without a book or my Kindle. Even if I am off to pick up a waiting child from wherever, I have something to read.  I can't imagine having to sit for even 60 seconds with nothing to read.

At the moment, I have 9,397 books on my to-read list.  I know I will probably never read every book I want to in my lifetime and that makes me sad.  There are so many great authors and great adventures to go on without leaving the couch.  There is so much to learn and explore.  I love reading.