I think one of the main reasons so many of us love the book blogging community is because we don’t have an outlet in the “real world” to discuss books. Book blogging helps us find like-minded bookworms to analyze stories, squee with over cute fictional boys, lament over far away publication dates and just in general, share the bookish love. This was the number one reason I started this blog two summers ago. I was reading so many books, finishing them, putting them away, and sadly, sometimes forgetting them. Starting a book blog allowed me the chance to get my thoughts and emotions down on paper, while also putting them out there to discuss with others. Reading instantly became more gratifying when it became a shared experience.
Life gets even sweeter when close friends and family turn to me for book recommendations or to discuss a book. This weekend, I was THRILLED as I sat on the beach with my 18 year old sister Jamie and my 16 year old brother Matthew, as they both read books. Better yet, books I recommended! Jamie eagerly flipped through the pages of DELIRIUM by Lauren Oliver and Matthew devoured THE HUNGER GAMES by Suzanne Collins in two days.
In my family, I’ve always been the bookworm. I was the kid who brought a book literally EVERYWHERE: in the car, to the pool, while waiting in a restaurant for food. My brother and sister? Not so much. It was difficult to get them to pick up a book for fun. They both had their other interests and skills, and both would read occasionally, but never got into it the way I did.
When my mom and dad caught a glimpse of all three Lawlor kids reading at the beach over Memorial Day Weekend, they knew they had to snap a crappy cell phone picture to immortalize the moment. It may not happen again!
Jamie finished DELIRIUM last night and burst into my room crying and yelling “WHY?! WHY DID IT END THAT WAY?” and asking when the second book will come out. SUCH a happy moment for me to see the excitement and enthusiasm in her that I feel every time I finish a great book. In the meantime, I plan to recommend MATCHED by Ally Condie to her. I’ve already put CATCHING FIRE on reserve at our library for Matthew, but I have plans to introduce him to DIVERGENT by Veronica Roth.
Have you been able to introduce and recommend books to your family and “real life” friends? What’s your favorite part of sharing the bookish love?
I completely understand. I am the lone reader in my family as well, as in my group of friends. Occasionally a friend will call me and ask for a recommendation because they feel like reading, I love when that happens. My best friend who doesn’t read twisted her ankle and called up to ask for a book and I past her My Sister’s Keeper (this was before the movie came out). She called me three days later sobbing on the phone..lol! She wanted discuss every part of the book, and I remember telling her “now imagine finishing a book that emotionally drains you and having no one to talk to about it”. She completely understands now, and will try to read the books that I push on her. ..sometimes.
@Melissa V., Exactly! I was like, “don’t you understand why I love reading now?! You can get this feeling constantly!” And she was like yeah, yeah, but not every book is this good. True, but when you have someone only recommending great books, that isn’t a problem anymore! Haha. It was definitely very rewarding to be able to see her transform in that way.
That’s such a great story about your friend. I haven’t read My Sister’s Keeper, but I know how emotional it is, so I can only imagine the discussion that followed!
My family goes to the lake for a week every summer. Been doing it for over 25 years. All the kids are grown now – the last one turned 21 a couple of weeks ago. Since I’m the “librarian” I always bring the books — we’ve had lots of fun passing books around over the years — and LOTS of pictures of all of us on the beach reading. Even my son — the only BOY, who is a reluctant reader. Great fun!
@Annette, Such great memories! I love being able to share my love of reading with my family.
My sister didn’t read (for pleasure) at all when we were kids while I would be reading six books a week and begging my mum to take me back to the library. Now she’s started reading a lot more and I’m always lending her my chick-lit novels. I felt so proud the day she announced she’d actually BOUGHT A BOOK HERSELF. 🙂
@Paula, That’s so awesome!
I love being able to recommend & lend books to friends! I went to one of my co-worker’s baby shower recently and loved that when I met her sister she knew me as the one with all the books!