I think I've loved reading since even before I could read. :-) Even as a little girl, I was a book nerd. Out of all the Disney princesses, I wanted to be Belle because she had a massive library. The temptation of having fins like Ariel or a pet tiger like Jasmine were nothing compared to the idea of floor to ceiling books.
In middle school the kids on the bus didn't know my name so they just called me "the-girl-who-sits-at-the-front-of-the-bus-and-reads." I was totally that kid with the highest Accelerated Reading points to reach and I would usually end up with triple the points I needed. My perfect day would involve getting lost in a book and those who know me best know not to interrupt me when I'm in reading mode. The odds are I won't even hear you if you attempt conversation with me anyways.
So I've known for a long time that I'm addicted to reading, but I always kind of thought it was a worthy addition. It's free, (I get my books from the library 95% of the time), it improves my vocabulary and writing skills, and it's a hobby that can travel anywhere. The thing is, I'm not sure there's really any kind of addiction that's good, except perhaps if you are addicted to acting as Christ would have. All other addictions, reading included, tend to distract us from other important things around us.
I read in the parking lot before I go into work when I could be praying. I read during my breaks and lunch at work, when I could be connecting with my co-workers instead of blocking them out. I read when I get home from work and on the weekends, when I could be spending quality time with my husband. Out of curiosity I looked up my library history and crunched some numbers. Since January 1st, 2012 I have read
*50 books
*Totaling 19,198 pages
*Stacked up, these books would be over 8 ft tall
Umm....Talk about some potential wasted time! Not all completely wasted, but when I read, I'm dead to the world. It's time to open my eyes and truly see things. Then I'll at least know what I'm missing. Soooo...I declare a BOOK FAST! I'm going to abstain from reading for pleasure for one month. Instead of devouring books, I'm going to have conversations, practice guitar (with my patient husband), try out some new recipes, work on my spiritual growth, and maybe blog some more! Wish me luck!
Let the Book Fast begin!
