“To read is to fly: it is to soar to a point of vantage which gives a view over wide terrains of history, human variety, ideas, shared experience and the fruits of many inquiries.” A.C. Grayling

I love to read. I love to read books — all kinds of books — fiction, non-fiction, biography, how-tos — you name it, I’ll read it. And newspapers, the New York Times in particular, can occupy me for hours. In fact, the Sunday Times lasts me a week by the time I am through with the whole thing. And magazines are not out of my realm of enjoyment — from Smithsonian to Vanity Fair — I find food for fun and thought in them all. Oh, and don’t forget online reading — some blogs and websites I have bookmarked for their particular bent.

My mind and my heart get stretched to the far reaches of each article or story I read. My regular life fades away and I enter another world. A world different from my own and its never-ending lists and chores and responsibilities. I’m transported.

I used to feel somehow obligated to read the entire book, even if it was tiresome to me. But, after turning 60, that was one “rule” I quickly dropped. Don’t like it?! – move on . . .there are so many more books to explore and enjoy.

Here are some of my most favorites. You will see historical fiction is perhaps my favorite genre.

“Modoc” by Ralph Helfer

“A Story Like the Wind” by Laurens Van der Post

“Pillars of the Earth” by Ken Follet

“A Year of Wonders” by Geraldine Brooks

“Atonement” by Ian McEwan

“The Women” by T .C. Boyle (but I like most of his novels)

Okay, that is enough — I can see this going on some. Do you read? Why? What are some of your favorites?

“He that loves a book will never want a faithful friend, a wholesome counselor, a cheerful companion, an effectual comforter. By study, by reading,  by thinking, one may innocently divert and pleasantly entertain himself, as in all weathers, as in all fortunes,”  Barrow

darling photo above by Angie Hill of her son, Braxton.