Musing Mondays (May 18)

(Musing Mondays are hosted by Rebecca!)

This week’s question (courtesy of Diane) asks:

Do you remember how you developed a love for reading? Was it from a particular person, or people? Do you remember any books that you read, or were read to  you, as a young child?

I know that my Mom was a reader, and I know I was read to sometimes. But, I really don’t remember my love of reading growing when I was little. One of the books that was read to me — and was a favorite of mine — was “The Poky Little Puppy“. There was also a Nativity story that I borrowed from the church library that I loved, ’cause the book had a really unique smell to it! LOL.

When I was a young teen (or, maybe a pre-teen), my Mom would take us to the bookstore and let us choose a book or two. I started to love to read then, I think, but still wouldn’t have classified myself as an “avid reader”.

In college, I spent a good deal of my time in the school library, as I got rides to/from school with a lady who worked in the office, and often had to wait for her when my classes finished. I read some really good books then, too.

Then, when I had my son, my reading really took off… I read like crazy! And, that’s when my book collection started growing, too. I had about 5 books to my name before that, but then started buying more.

Two years later, when my daughter was born, I was thoroughly enjoying the public library system, and borrowing books every week. I also, at this point, got involved in online book groups, and my life has never been the same! LOL. I started visiting library book sales, then, and so my collection exploded… I soon had 300 books! And, my sanity was found in my online groups and friends.

From there, I kept participating in online book groups, and visiting the library multiple times a week, and purchasing books, and that has brought me to today… 8 years later. I now have over 880 books in my collection, I’m (obviously) deeply entrenched in book blogging, and still participate in a bunch of online book groups. I would go into serious withdrawl without my Internet and online friends. LOL. But, it has remained my sanity through the years, and it now really seems to define me. When I talk to people about my friends, I’m usually referring to those that I have online. That’s the nice thing about online friends vs. face-to-face (f2f) friends — online ones can move, and you can still keep in touch with them; it doesn’t jeopardize your time together! LOL.

So, maybe my love of reading really did start growing from the time I was a young child. It was a slow process, but it’s led me to where I am today… reading at least 52 books a year. LOL.