Someone else’s Mark Twain collection. Sigh. I’m a bit jealous. (Photo credit: terryballard)
Here’s another elementary school find, lovingly posted above the library doors. Being the book addict that I am you can understand my liking for this quote.
“The man who does not read good books
has no advantage over the man who can’t read them.”
– Mark Twain
Of course, Mark Twain would say something like this since he was an author, a brilliant humorist, a curmudgeon and a bit egocentric.
The author, Mr. Twain, looking grouchier than usual for this photo, probably because he had nothing good to read that day.
I’m always a little taken aback, speechless actually, when someone tells me they don’t read books. The reason has never been that they can’t read. It’s that they have no interest in reading.
I stand there, mouth hanging open as if they’ve just transformed into an alien life form as I watched. How can one not read books? That’s like saying you don’t breathe oxygen, or eat food, or that you’ve given up sleep! At least it is for me.
Torture for me would be to put me somewhere with nothing, and I mean nothing, to read. I can entertain myself, if I have to, with the back of a cereal box, product labels, a newspaper, recipes, lists, rules, captions, advertisements. I just need words to read!! I can’t go very long without them.
But I prefer a good book. Literature. Thought provoking, inspired, well written. I’m sure I’ve mentioned this before in past blog posts, at least a dozen times or more. For which I apologize. I’m a little obsessed. I’m sorry.
Lately I’ve been reading “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks,” which is eye-opening and surprising and wonderful and sad all in one. I’ve got a list of lighthearted novels to pick from after that. I need something to lift my spirits, make me laugh and shine some light into the darkness. After that I’m thinking of tackling “Don Quixote,” but I’m not sure. That may have to wait until summer.
Are you reading anything good?
Care to share with me? Fiction or non-fiction. I’m always looking for my next good read!
Kami's Beautiful Morning 
Like you, I can’t even imagine a world without books AND I also read the back of shampoo bottles when I have time to kill in the rest room 😉 lmbo I just got done reading a non fiction “The Madness of Mary Lincoln” and now I’m reading “Ana’s Story”, written by Jenna Bush-Hagar. It’s also non fiction about the life of a girl in Latin America affected with Aids. Mostly I like non fiction but I like anything, really.
Don Quixote, huh? That’s on my bucket list and I OWN it. Just not sure I feel like tackling it! lol
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I think we must be related because I absolutely love to read. In fact, I just finished reading the most uplifting series of 3 books. They are so postive and tend to encourage one to be a more positive, kind, helpful, upbeat person they can be. The first book in the series if “Remembering Isaac the wife and joyful Potter of Niederbipp”. These 3 books were written by Ben Behunin. I would definitely recommend them to anyone looking for a delightful reading. Kami, we will see you in about 3 weeks!! We are so excited!!!!
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I’ll definitely check these out! Thanks for the suggestions. Looking forward to seeing you!
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refering to my above post: corrections should read – “The first book in the series ‘is’ not if. and it should read ‘Isaac the ‘wise” not wife. Sorry about my spelling.
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No worries.
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I’ve got more books sitting on my nightstand than I’ve had hot dinners and I usually find myself reading a half dozen at once. Currently, I’m re-reading Stalking the Wld Asparagus by Euell Gibbons as it’s foraging time in our neck of the woods. Another all-time favorite would be The Alchemist’s Daughter by Katherine McMahon–beautifully written and quite unforgettable.
Thanks for all the new suggestions. The stacks grow higher!
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I’ll add those to my list! Thanks!
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“Out of My Mind” by Sharon Draper is about a girl who is disabled, is very intelligent and has a photographic memory but she can’t speak. She loves words much like you. When I read your Scrabble blog it brought to mind this book. Great insight into what it must be like to be trapped inside one’s body with so many thoughts and no way to express them.
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Oooo, sounds fascinating. I’ll check this one out.
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