Reading. One of those things I was forced to do by my intellectual father, who liked nothing more than to engulf himself in a book. He wanted me to be academic, I was academic but I also knew what I liked and didn't like. And some of his choices (including 3 men and a boat) just didn't rock my boat of imagination - it made me want to sleep!
I gave up on books after my GCSE's and didn't find them again until university, when suddenly all I wanted to do was read and absorb the words from every page. And this wasn't just academic books, it was plays, autobiographies and fiction - I wanted it all!
I read books for a weird reason - I am a front cover reader. I choose books because I like the cover, then I read the back and if I like both, I buy it. In general, this has always worked for me as I am picky about what I read and if something looks boring from the outside, the design probably goes with the text - why wouldn't it!
This doesn't mean I stick to one genre or anything, I have read Stephen King to more contemporary writers like Matt Beaumont (love him, have loads of his stuff ("E" is good and "The Book, The Film, The T-shirt") and his wife's a writer too (Maria Beaumont) - have a look at her stuff too). I also like plays by people like Mark Ravenhill and Patrick Marber.
There is something about a book, that I don't think I would ever get from a Kindle. It's not just about the words being on a digital screen (which I hate by the way, because it hurts your eyes a lot quicker - wait until Kindle readers start going blind by using theirs too much) but it's the feel of the pages, the fact that if it's borrowed or 2nd hand, the people that have gone through the same emotions when reading the text, being excited about finding the book in your bag and desperate to read. That's what makes reading a book so great!
One of my favourite collection of books that I have ever read has to be Red Dwarf. Being a big fan of the series and intrigued by the books, I decided to borrow my dad's copy. As a fan, these books were amazing! I used to lie on the bed and read them whilst imagining the different characters saying the words - it was like the words truly lifted off the page. I also like the fact that different episodes appear in the books but they are only part of the bigger picture, which was even more exciting! I am very lucky that one of mine is actually signed by two of the cast - I was like 16 and the book was originally my dad's but soon became mine once it was signed. I also have a book signed by Danny Wallace and Rich Fulcher (Tiny Acts of Rebellion is hilarious - seen it live and read the book) - by chance, not even on purpose originally : )
I am currently reading the great How to be a Woman by Caitlin Moran. I have to say, it has been while since I have laughed and nearly cried on transport because of a book. She has completely covered the feeling of growing up as a woman and not really knowing how to become one. I also love her references to the world around her - so many of her childhood memories are things I remember too (which makes sense, as she's probably only about 5 years older than me). If there are any woman out there who haven't read this (it's won at least one award and I'm probably one of the last to read it), you must! Well, I say must. As long as you are an open minded and open person in general, I would suggest it. If your not, maybe leave it. It will make you cringe and laugh quite intensely, but that's what I like about it : )
You see, the great thing about a book is the connections or disconnection from your life causing an amazing form of escapism that one hardly ever finds in any other art form. I tend to work in stressful environments and a book is the only time I can remove myself from my work and just feel relaxed (especially if my phones off).
So if it's been awhile since you've read a good book, give it a go. Whether its by reading a book suggested to you or being radical like me and choosing a front cover : ) By the way, I haven't read the Fifty Shades of Grey but did hear them taking the piss out of it in the comedy tent at Latitude Music Festival. I actually wanted to read it cos the one with the mask on the cover - I own that mask, so I wanted to read it. What can I say? I'm weird, LOL
Blog title based on the amazing Mark Grist's "I Like a Girl That Reads" comedy poem: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWwXJT4LA5A&feature=player_embedded
I gave up on books after my GCSE's and didn't find them again until university, when suddenly all I wanted to do was read and absorb the words from every page. And this wasn't just academic books, it was plays, autobiographies and fiction - I wanted it all!
I read books for a weird reason - I am a front cover reader. I choose books because I like the cover, then I read the back and if I like both, I buy it. In general, this has always worked for me as I am picky about what I read and if something looks boring from the outside, the design probably goes with the text - why wouldn't it!
This doesn't mean I stick to one genre or anything, I have read Stephen King to more contemporary writers like Matt Beaumont (love him, have loads of his stuff ("E" is good and "The Book, The Film, The T-shirt") and his wife's a writer too (Maria Beaumont) - have a look at her stuff too). I also like plays by people like Mark Ravenhill and Patrick Marber.
There is something about a book, that I don't think I would ever get from a Kindle. It's not just about the words being on a digital screen (which I hate by the way, because it hurts your eyes a lot quicker - wait until Kindle readers start going blind by using theirs too much) but it's the feel of the pages, the fact that if it's borrowed or 2nd hand, the people that have gone through the same emotions when reading the text, being excited about finding the book in your bag and desperate to read. That's what makes reading a book so great!
One of my favourite collection of books that I have ever read has to be Red Dwarf. Being a big fan of the series and intrigued by the books, I decided to borrow my dad's copy. As a fan, these books were amazing! I used to lie on the bed and read them whilst imagining the different characters saying the words - it was like the words truly lifted off the page. I also like the fact that different episodes appear in the books but they are only part of the bigger picture, which was even more exciting! I am very lucky that one of mine is actually signed by two of the cast - I was like 16 and the book was originally my dad's but soon became mine once it was signed. I also have a book signed by Danny Wallace and Rich Fulcher (Tiny Acts of Rebellion is hilarious - seen it live and read the book) - by chance, not even on purpose originally : )
I am currently reading the great How to be a Woman by Caitlin Moran. I have to say, it has been while since I have laughed and nearly cried on transport because of a book. She has completely covered the feeling of growing up as a woman and not really knowing how to become one. I also love her references to the world around her - so many of her childhood memories are things I remember too (which makes sense, as she's probably only about 5 years older than me). If there are any woman out there who haven't read this (it's won at least one award and I'm probably one of the last to read it), you must! Well, I say must. As long as you are an open minded and open person in general, I would suggest it. If your not, maybe leave it. It will make you cringe and laugh quite intensely, but that's what I like about it : )
You see, the great thing about a book is the connections or disconnection from your life causing an amazing form of escapism that one hardly ever finds in any other art form. I tend to work in stressful environments and a book is the only time I can remove myself from my work and just feel relaxed (especially if my phones off).
So if it's been awhile since you've read a good book, give it a go. Whether its by reading a book suggested to you or being radical like me and choosing a front cover : ) By the way, I haven't read the Fifty Shades of Grey but did hear them taking the piss out of it in the comedy tent at Latitude Music Festival. I actually wanted to read it cos the one with the mask on the cover - I own that mask, so I wanted to read it. What can I say? I'm weird, LOL
Blog title based on the amazing Mark Grist's "I Like a Girl That Reads" comedy poem: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWwXJT4LA5A&feature=player_embedded
