the love of reading

When I was a kid, television had just come out. The screens were small and only in black and white. We were one of the last families on our block to get a television.
Summers were long and boring. I learned to escape through books. My Daddy would take my sister and I to the library and we could check out as many books as we wanted. I remember bringing home literally stacks of books. I would sit by the window in my room (the coolest place where a breeze could be found {yes becasue it was also before airconditioning}) and escape into wonderful worlds outside my own.
My favorite books then were about animals. There was a particular author I think it was a really odd name like Klgaard. I think I read everything he ever wrote. I started out getting books with lots of pictures and then took on the challenge of all words.
One year in school we had to read so many books from each of several catagories such a non-fiction, biography, etc. Initially I didn't like reading outside of my favorite books but actually found myself enjoying some of the things that I read. I remember reading the biography of one of the men who was famous in Texas history and died in the Alamo. I read a book about bees and how the colony worked together. They really have a facinating world of workers, drones and queens. I read a book on pineapple plantations. I can still remember some of the things that I learned from those books that I would never have known and was surprised by how really interesting they were.
When I was in middle school I remember most of the girls reading romance novels. I read a couple and thought they were so very sappy and silly.
When I was first married, I didn't have alot to do and I would go to the library and get books. I liked Science Fiction by then and found a huge book that I decided to read just for the sheer challenge of it. It was one of those plots within a plot within a plot kind of books. It was Frank Hurberts Dune. I have since read it several times throughout the years. It tends to be somewhat on the negative side of human nature but I enjoyed finding answers to the mysteries of the plots within plots.
I read the Lord of the Rings series. Again because of the challenge of length. I read Gone with the Wind and fell in love with the character of Scarlet. Not necessarily becasue of her selfish side but becasuse of the strength and courage she developed throught the hardships she lived through.
When we were stationed overseas, my husband was gone for long periods of time on military manuvers. It was books that kept me company and from getting overly depressed because I was alone so much. The post library was a life line at that time of my life.
I have read Anne of Green Gables. There are actually 7 books in the series. I loved Anne. She had such a rough life but was resilient and willing to try new things. She was not a bad person but her imagination and zeal for life, got her into trouble all of the time. Her character helped me to understand my children so much better.
After I joined the church, I found that reading was a way to receive answers to prayers. Many times as I was struggling with a problem in my life, an answer would come through a book I was reading. Sometimes through a church book and just as often a non church book. I learned how wise the counsel was from Joseph Smith to seek knowledge from the best books.
Outside of the scriptures the book the Hiding Place by Corrie tanBoon touched me the most deeply. It had profound insights into dealing with incredible trials and yet trusting in the Lord and by doing so, overcoming where others came away bitter and broken.
I love the Janette Oke series. She has a way of telling a story of hardship and trial but through the love and trust in the Lord being able to find strength and overcoming the trials and obsticals of life.
I loved the Work and Glory series. I have read it several times. It too tells of people overcoming incredible odds through their faith and perseverence.
Reading has been a joy in my life. I am so thankful for the many many really good uplifting books that help one get through life and see the good that is all around us and to better understand ourselves and others around us.