A girl who wants to do something for the first time, often, so she will!
"Traveling - it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller." -iban Battuta
A few reasons why we should read more: 1. To Develop Verbal Abilities. 2. Improves Focus and Concentration. 3. Improves Imagination. 4. Makes Us Smarter. 5. Makes Us Interesting And Attractive. 6. Reduces Stress. 7. Improves Memory. Reading Rainbow first aired on PBS 17 days before I was born. The last episode aired November 10, 2006. Each episode centered on a theme from a book, or other children's literature, which was explored through a number of segments or stories. The show recommended books for kids to look for when they went to the library. It is the third-longest running children's series in PBS history. This show changed my life. Dramatic, yes I know. I don't remember the first episode I watched that made me fall in love along with millions of others but I do remember my FAVORITE episode about my, back then, FAVORITE book: If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. Published in 1985 and known for it's playful, circular pattern. A boy gives a cookie to a mouse. The mouse asks for a glass of milk. He then requests a straw (to drink the milk), a mirror (to avoid a milk mustache), nail scissors (to trim his hair in the mirror), and a broom (to sweep up his hair trimmings). Next he wants to take a nap, to have a story read to him, to draw a picture, and to hang the drawing on the refrigerator. Looking at the refrigerator makes him thirsty, so the mouse asks for a glass of milk. The circle is complete when he wants a cookie to go with it. A definite contemporary classic! As I grew older, I quickly realized books would be an immense part of my life. I devoured books. As soon as I conquered one, I'd immediately look for another. I spent most of my early childhood years in the library across the street from our apartment. My brain loved to feed on suspense and thrillers. R.L. Stine gave me Goosebumps and introduced me to suspense. The X Files, juvenile series, struck a cord inside me that nearly became an obsession. Around the age of 16 I found James Patterson and Stephen King's books. I would get lost for hours. I'd tuck away in my room under a blanket with a side table lamp barely illuminating the space. As time passed and life became more and more busy I forgot about my love. We went separate ways. I only read when I had to: for a class, for info I needed ASAP, i.e. when I became pregnant and when I was forced to wait in lobbies. My life was notably different but I chose to do nothing about it. I'd pick up a book here and there to try and rekindle our once fire hot relationship but it never ended well. I'd attempt to immerse myself but was easily lured away. Backward about one year, a good friend of mine invited me to join her book club. I quickly accepted the offer hoping to really hunker down and actually finish an entire book as an adult. Wait a minute...hunker down? Finish an entire book as an adult? Where's the love in that? What happened??!! I remembered how reading for pleasure was once my escape, my best friend. I wanted that back. I was so excited! Months and months went by without my participation. I would receive the book titles, read the synopsis and just not follow through! One month I was very determined and went to Barnes and Nobles to buy that month's book. The Language of Flowers. Needless to say, I didn't finish the book. It's currently in my office at work. After going to yet another meeting and not having read the book, I was told it's my turn to pick which book would make us more interesting and attractive (# 5 above :)). I thought great, this will for sure be the time I reunite with my deep fondness for reading. Boy, was I right!!! I chose Miracle Man by Leibowitz. It's a medical/conspiracy/psychological thriller that explores extraordinary genius, Big Pharma, corruption, CIA, machinations, metaphysical forces and one man's tireless quest at terrible cost to validate his life. after four days I am a third of the way finished. This book has done so much for me. I feel like a kid again. Deciding to join this book club was one of the best decisions I've made. It's changed my life for the better in many ways. I suggest you join one too! Please comment with some of your favorite books! I may just read a few!
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