Books Are Friends That Never Fail

I have always been a reader. I grew up on Berenstain Bears and Dr. Seuss (I am especially fond of Seuss--see his quote in my header). I remember reading books like Shel Silverstein's Where the Sidewalk Ends over and over again until I had those poems memorized. I remember devouring Sweet Valley High books like they were my last meal. I recall reading The Catcher in the Rye in high school and being utterly amazed by it. Night by Elie Wiesel changed my entire perspective on the world and opened my eyes in powerful ways. In college I got addicted to reading about Kay Scarpetta's adventures in Patricia Cornwell's thriller series. Books have always been a part of my life. I have always loved the escapism involved in reading books. Maybe that's why I am a movie lover, too. Books and movies and transport you to another place ... whenever, wherever.

OH, and this post about books would not be complete without a tribute to my beloved Twilight series. No, Stephanie Meyer is not William Shakespeare. She is not even William Faulkner. But her books RIVETED me. I have read the entire series. Twice. I have seen the first movie like a million times. And now that I have seen New Moon I am changing my status to TEAM JACOB. Yes, he's 17. But have you SEEN him?? Yowsa.

And now that I have lost the respect of half my readers I shall go on...

I joined a book club right after Miles was born. How nuts is that?? How I ever had the time to read (on a schedule) during that particular moment in our lives is beyond me. I vaguely remember not watching a whole lot of TV and stealing time to read a page or two before I fell into a coma at night. Well, a two hour coma before my newborn woke me up again. But a coma nonetheless. It was during that sleep-deprived "what-the-hell-do-I-do-with-this-7-pound-dictator" time that books saved my life. Yes, I will say it again: Books saved my life.

I don't want to be overly dramatic about this because books didn't literally save my life but they did save it in a more figurative way. Looking back I think I needed to take that mental break every day (or in the middle of the night). All moms need to practice self-care and give themselves a break. I think this was one way I took care of myself, had a little "me" time. If you are my friend IRL, you have probably heard me say more than one time that the newborn stage was NOT my favorite. I truly didn't enjoy it. I know, it's sad that I didn't enjoy it. But there's the truth. I didn't. I have enjoyed every other stage since then. But I had no idea how much my life was going to change when our little bundle of joy came into our lives. And he came fast. Most parents have about 9 months or so to prepare. We had 2 days. I was in a permanent state of shock for several months. Books came to my rescue. They took me back to equilibrium faster anything else could.

"Books are friends that never fail." Dr. William Mayo

And then there is my wonderful bookclub. You can't manufacture this kind of chemistry that we have. It just WORKS. We just click. We don't always agree on everything but our conversations are priceless. What amazing women. The bookclub became a little oasis of calmness and centeredness for me. I felt like an adult when I went to bookclub, and still do. During those first few difficult months when I was trying my hardest to get my bearings it was a God-sent miracle. Here's the baby, honey, see ya after bookclub! Ah, sweet freedom. I took a shower, put on makeup and actually did my hair. It was fabulous. I have learned so much from books, and I learn even more from the smart women that populate our bookclub. Sometimes things come along in our lives just at the right time. Funny how that works.

And the BEST part about bookclub? The wine. ;)

By the way, here are my favorites, so far, from bookclub:

Gang of One

Eat, Pray, Love

Water for Elephants

Three Cups of Tea

The Year of Living Biblically

Peace Like a River

Marley and Me (book way better than the movie, IMHO)

Lottery

Maybe that is why I spend so much time reading to Miles. It's so important to me, and I want him to love reading just as much as I do. The first time he brought me a book and climbed up on my lap was one of the best moments of motherhood so far. I hope he always keeps that childish enthusiasm for books. Books are life!

Speaking of books, I have an announcement to make!

Drumroll please!

Stay tuned in the next couple of weeks for my very first GIVEAWAY! I will be giving away a SIGNED copy of the best parenting book ever written. And it's one you've probably never heard of. Curious? Check back for more details soon!