I love books! Just ask anybody who knows me.

I love the way they change the feel and look of a room when you enter into one lined with books. While rather expensive, they make a very special kind of wallpaper!

I also love visiting bookstores of all kinds—new, used, big, little, near and far away. I love accumulating books and wish I had enough time to read all the ones I buy. You know what I mean. I’m talking about the ones we’ve all bought with “good intentions.”

My husband and I have a library that could put some public libraries to shame. Although many categories are not among the books we own, such as “lesbian and gay studies,” “anime,” or “international law,” we have invested in a wide variety of titles.

It’s interesting to reflect on occasion and realize that I haven’t always felt this way. I remember not liking to read while growing up. Reading was something I only did when I had to. It was something that was necessary to do so I could do my homework or pass my driver’s license test.

Now, I love to read! What happened?

Well, I’m not exactly sure. Watching my husband read every chance he gets in all the years I’ve been with him has certainly played a role in my transformation. You can’t be around a man like him for long without being influenced by his passion for learning.

I mean, when you live with a man who reads over 100 books a year, you’re bound to get “infected” at some point!

While he has been instrumental in my transition, a real turning point occurred for me back in 1989 when the two of us decided to turn off the television. Jim read a book (imagine that!) that challenged us to do something different with our time.

While I’m not advocating that you do the same, I must say that it is the only logical explanation I can think of for myself.

On occasion people will ask me, “How do you have so much time to read?” Having only 24 hours in a day like you, the only answer that makes sense to me is, “I don’t watch TV.”

Ponder this for a moment, then ask yourself, “How much time do I spend watching TV? If I quit watching TV for a day, a week, or even a month, what would I do with the available time in my life?”

Is there a book you bought with “good intentions,” yet haven’t found the time to read it? Consider fasting from TV. Who knows, you might become a reader.

Take it from me, I never thought I’d like reading; however, since 1989, I find I do it everyday and enjoy it!

While I can’t say we’ve “saved money” canceling cable for all these years, it has allowed me some “extra money” to buy wonderful books.

My husband lives by a quote he heard once that said, “I’d rather have books and no money than have money and no books.” Though we’ve never had an issue with either one of these, I think you get the idea.

By the way, when was the last time you read a good book?…

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