Book Blurb - Why We Read
Why We Read: On Bookworms, Libraries, and Just One More Page Before Lights Out By Shannon Reed
A lot of the non-fiction books I read tend to be health and wellness or self-help related, and so this one was a bit out of the usual for me. However, if you have correctly guessed before this point that I am a book worm, you can likely guess why I loved this book!
This book is as the title suggests, an ode to book worms, book lovers, collectors of books, library enthusiast and anyone who identifies as loving to read. It is not a self-help book per se, yet it encapsulates all the beauty that reading can provide.
It Doesn’t matter how you consume it!
I applaud that Reed is quick to point out that it does not matter how you read, simply that it brings you something! I ‘read’ this book as an audiobook, and I will count it on Goodreads. Whether it is hard copy, paperback, ebook, bought, borrowed, audiobook, braille or read to you - you are still reading and consuming and enjoying!
I think this is often lost today, and it is one of the reasons that I wanted to include this book as a book blurb selection. It truly encapsulates that we have autonomy to chose how we want to do something. Whether it be as simple as choosing how to read your book, or as complex as choosing what course to take for managing your health, we have choice.
It dosen’t matter what it is you read!
Whether you are reading the classics, the newest smut, magazines, stand alone books, series, fiction, non-fiction, young reader, comic books, or how to manuals - you are still reading! Just as we have choice on how we read, we have an incredible amount of choice on what we read! Reed encourages peol to read what they want! Read waht makes you happy, what makes you cry, what interests you or you want to learn more about! It doesn’t matter so long as you want to! This book was a solid reminder to not let people judge you for what you read!
I think this reminder is one that we need to take to heart when it comes to other things as well. We can so often let the opinions of others stop us from doing something we love. Whether it be your hobby, your favorite snack, your dance moves, or your choice in health goal; it is your choice or action to make/take and I hope it brings you joy!
For the Love of Libraries!
I have a love of libraries and I was ecstatic that Reed does too! They are free community spaces that deserve to be championed! We can learns, laugh, connect and grow with libraries. I don’t have anything more insightful on libraries, I just felt like it was important to mention it here given the book! (but you can check out my Insta post from Jan 2024 if you want some library action)
Enough gushing, lets get down to business:
Summary
This book is like I said above, an ode to reading and books. It is part personal history for the author but also a re-introduction to the many ways in which books can be a part of our lives.
Who Should Read This
Anyone who:
Loves books
Wants to rediscover their love of books
Wants an audiobook available from the Halifax Public Library
Wants a book that gives lots of other book suggestions from a variety of genres!
What Did I learn?
I learned that there is no right way to read, no right speed or genre. There is no right list or amount or time. It is simply that we read that is important.
Final Thoughts
This was a little outside my normal non-fiction read, but I am certainly glad I did! This was a book that brought you through so many emotions and on a journey of book discovery. I am proud to be a book worm!