Books

You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me. C. S. Lewis

What is one book I am grateful for? I have asked others similar questions, but only one? Books here, books there, books everywhere. There is not a room in my house that does not have books, books for learning, books for laughing, books for growing, for cooking, and more. Great stories from the past and current stories, biographies, memoirs, nonfiction, history, biblical plus the library and kindle collections fill my world. I love books. I do not have to have read it to love it. Just having them and developing reading lists brings me comfort. When other blogs have a picture with a pile of books and I cannot tell what books they are, I get frustrated. I want to know what people are reading. I am subbing now, and daily my heart soars when a kid is reading. I ask to see the book, and I take note if it is one I might want to read someday. I have too many books for someday, but I am okay with that. I am thankful people are still writing books. They encourage me and challenge me. They offer me an escape, or help me walk through reality better. They help me to think better and feel better. They help me understand others better.  I am so thankful for books.

“We read to know we are not alone.” -C.S. Lewis

There are many that have impacted me. Even the ones that are not on my “I need to own it and give away multiple copies list” have still impacted me. Each book grows me and challenges me in a way. I cannot imagine life without books. I know God knew there would be people like me, because even the Bible is made of 66 books.  This book that is actually a collection of writings, has had the biggest impact on me, along with many authors and people throughout history. It is a book that amazes me that no matter how many times I have read it, something new can hit home or resonate, or encourage me. I am amazed at how much this book has impacted writers and leaders throughout history, as well as scientists and mathematicians.  George Washington Carver read through the Bible daily. When he got to the end, he flipped back to the beginning. It was his encouragement as he came up with farming solutions to help resurrect the south after the war, and sustain him as he dealt with extreme discrimination. 

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One of the great things about homeschooling was getting to read so many books for all the various topics. We read great classics, as well as some new favorites. I love biographies and memoirs because it is so fascinating learning about people’s lives. I recently read the book Educated by Tara Westover. It was a perfect example of why I do not feel the need to read a lot of fiction (although I am trying to do better with that). This book seemed like it had to be fiction, but this was a real person who had lived through this story and was sharing on the other side. Bob Goff’s stories feel that way to me also. These are amazing life stories, that make great books. They are real people who lived through these moments, and so it is not an author creating a scenario and emotions they think could be, but what actual is. It allows me to enter someone else’s world. Well written nonfiction challenges me to think about things that I might not have thought about. Sometimes they may be books I just skim so I am aware of something, but that little piece I walked away with is now a part of me. I listened to Order of Time by Carlo Rovelli. It was totally out of my brain league of understanding, or of usual interest, but his way of communicating about time was so fascinating. My mind was blown which is good. Sometimes I get so used to accepting things as I see them, and it is good for me to have someone shake it up a bit.

The more I read, the more I love it. I feel like I am constantly discovering something new, or connecting something together that I never saw before. Books for me are tremendous blessing. I am so thankful to live in a time and place that books are readily available.  I cannot imagine a life without books. So many have truly changed my life. I am very grateful for books.

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