A Reader Who…
A start on July books.
This year is halfway over. While it has been an extremely strange year, it has also been an extremely sweet one in many ways--extra time with family without the distraction of going, going, going; time to teach kids things around the house, like cooking skills; and so very many books. Ah, so many books.
I stocked up on the library before it closed and have definitely used curbside since it opened. I ordered a few books and am still subscribing to Book of the Month Club. I had a birthday and got a ton of books then. And I reread lots of old favorites, which brought me so much joy that I’m picking out more to reread. It’s really been a fabulous reading summer.
I used to tell people that I would read a little of anything, which is technically true. I have books I love in almost every genre I can bring to mind, but I also definitely have my favorites. I lean toward character-heavy stories. I love a good plot, but only if it has some characters I can love and really believe in, characters who have some redemptive qualities. I need a story to have hope and relatable themes, and while I like tough, heavy, gritty stories, I hate graphic violence. I love literary fiction, contemporary/women’s fiction, and romance, although I’ll give anything a try if it meets this criteria. I want to end a book satisfied, whether that means that everything was wrapped neatly, or it means that I took away so much to consider. I want really good writing.
In nonfiction, I love a good essay collection, and I’ll read on almost any topic if it’s narrative or at least story-based, and the writing is excellent. Memoirs are a sweet spot. I love nonfiction on sports, travel, food, and faith, but I’m open to things on which I have no background.
When I think about what I want to read next, this is how I decide. I look for books that are going to bring me some beauty, some hope, some guidance, some companionship. Sometimes I look for lightness and humor. Sometimes I reach for something deep. One is no better than the other if they meet me, if they reach me, if I feel a connection, if they make this load easier. In this crazy time of COVID, books have been one of the things that have helped me still to feel like part of the world.
As July starts, I hope for books that reflect the good in the world. I want books that remind me how to love, how to be thankful, how to be friends, how to open my eyes. I want books that teach me to see the world the way others see it, the way Jesus sees it, and to follow the paths that he opens for me there. As July starts, maybe I’ll be able to tell you about a book that will do these things for you, too, and then you can carry it on to others.
I take a new book off the stack, take a deep breath, and open the cover.
On Thursdays, I share my writing at Sharing Our Stories: Magic in a Blog. Join me?