Books versus Life

45 Replies

I love to read. I love to immerse myself in another world, another reality and experience it. I can live the life penned by another for as long as I am in that world. But I have a life. I have a life outside the pages of a book. I cannot stop my life from moving inexorably forward but I can put a book down and walk away. Can’t do that in real life!

When an author sits down to pen a novel, short story, a poem, they usually have an idea of where they ultimately wish to be. I would say they are in charge. Life is not always like that. We can have a plan, desires, a roadmap for our lives but there are too many variables. We might plan to be a dancer and our education is all towards that end and yet we are unable to dance. So, our path is now changed. We have to change with it. We need to devise a new plan. Is that so wrong? I’ve always found the unknown to be challenging and exciting. Perhaps terrifying is the right word but that also makes it enticing. And we wouldn’t be who we are without challenges. We have grown as a species from babes in the wood to leaders of our universe, sort of.

Our greatest inventions have grown out of a need. We were cold so we learned to harness fire. We were afraid of the dark so we learned to bring light. We like challenges.  We thrive on challenges. Which is a good thing, because there are a whole lotta challenges in our world. Sometimes those encounters can become too much and so we escape into the pages of a book. Or a movie, a video game, etc., etc. etc. The point is, we can take a short break and become someone else. But we cannot stay there. We. Can. Not.  There are books I have read multiple times because I enjoy the world that is created there. I like to visit. And I hope to think that some of the benefits I felt within those pages I am able to carry with me in to my reality. There’s something to think about. Someone else creates and we embody. Hmmmm . . .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

45 thoughts on “Books versus Life”

  1. Dan Antion

    There are many fictional places that I’ve read about that I’d like to escape to. Perhaps you’re right, Pam. Perhaps I can bring something from those worlds into mine. It’s a good thing to think about on a lazy day.

    Liked by 4 people

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  3. Murphy’s Law

    I don’t know what I would do without my public library with endless books to read. I read a lot as a youngster because even then I knew I could escape into these stories. They are always a safe place and, like you said, I can close the cover and return it to the library if I don’t like or am not comfortable with what I’m reading! How great is that!!!

    And your penned words, my friend, are just magical! Thank you for all you share with us here. Nope! Nobody will be closing the cover or deleting your words….ever!
    Ginger

    Liked by 3 people

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  4. Darlene

    I agree, books have saved me from boredom all my life. They have inspired me, given me worlds to visit and provided countless friends. I opened up a box of books I stored at my daughter’s house for the past 8 years. It was like seeing long-lost friends! I can only hope my books give some children the same happiness.

    Liked by 3 people

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  6. Donna Florack

    I’ve spent far too much time lately “reading” online hysteria (especially the mess that Twitter has become and the nonsense that is US politics). Today I am curled up with a large print version of Dracula. I’ve never read it. I’m hoping for an escape from reality today. I love reading and haven’t done enough lately.

    Liked by 1 person

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  9. Mark Lanesbury

    And beautifully written Pam, this world does indeed have so much to play with. And our minds are those children of our hearts. To dare, even look over our shoulders in case someone is watching, to jump in the mud of life and even if just for a while, wallow in that freedom it gives us. Great share dear lady, now look over your shoulder for that next wicked post 🤣

    Liked by 1 person

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  15. Lee McAulay

    One of my friends describes her favourite books as “I want to spend time with those characters, live their lives, in those fabulous places” – and it’s our job as writers to try to create them. I’d like to spend hours wandering in Gormenghast, or sat round the fire with some fat little hobbits drinking and smoking and eating bread-and-butter. Best I can manage is reading.

    Liked by 1 person

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  16. Emilie

    I’ve enjoyed a few books so much that I return over and over. Last month I got the CDs for a favorite from my local library and then listened to it after reading twice.
    Now there’s another. I fell in love with it and ordered the CDs to listen to after I read the book. Unfortunately the CDs were damaged. I’m going to buy the download! That’s how much I love the book. Then I can listen to the whole anytime I want or listen to the parts I like best as I drive.

    Liked by 1 person

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  18. Jeff Lee Byrem

    I resemble your remark!😊 I write novels not for $$$ but to create worlds to which I can escape (or to which my friends and other readers can escape over and over again). I’m looking forward to following you and reading your posts.

    Liked by 1 person

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