“I won’t buy any more books, until I’ve read all the ones I’ve got, she said. Then she laughed and laughed” Anon
I have a confession to make.
My name’s Christina and I’m a read-aholic.
I’m a book addict, a book hoarder, a book adorer.
Not much makes me happier than a new book delivery.
That familiar thud, when a parcel of new books hits the doormat is music to my ears.
Sad to some I know, but new books are exciting to a book-geek like me 🙂
I didn’t grow up in a particularly academic household, but both of my parents enjoyed reading.
My Dad read books on shooting, fishing and motorbikes and my Mum read Mills and Boon romances and true-crime books.
I loved books as a child.
Growing up, I was a complete book-worm – I always had my nose in a book.
Books were my friends.
I had real friends too, but, dreamy Pisces that I am; I just loved escaping into other worlds.
Worlds I had no way of visiting otherwise.
I’ve really tried to get my children into reading, but sadly, they’re not having any of it.
I’ve enticed them over the years, with all kinds of their favourite topics, but my attempts have always been in vain.
My son says why would I bother reading a book when I can just watch the video/film? (He’s a total film-buff).
My daughter’s slightly better – she will happily devour a novel while she’s lying on a sun-bed.
It’s a start I suppose.
It wasn’t always that way – one of my fondest memories, when they were little, was having a child tucked under each arm while I read them a story.
They would sit for hours, until quite a good age, as long as it was a great story.
Stories equalled snuggles in our house and we were all about the snuggles.
I look forward to doing this all again one day, with my grandchildren.
When I trained to be a therapist 15 years ago, the university lecturer, who trained me, mentioned that he read a book a week, and had done for years.
He said this had sky-rocketed his knowledge like nothing else.
This absolutely intrigued me.
That was some serious reading.
I was mightily impressed.
Apart from sun-bed reading, I’d barely read a (non-children’s) book for years, at that point.
I made a pact with myself that I was going to re-awaken my Love affair with reading and do the same thing.
The very next day, I stopped watching TV and I started my book mission.
(I do still have a TV, but I rarely ever switch it on.
My kids laugh at its modest size when they visit and complain that they need binoculars to see it 🙂
I don’t see the point of a great big TV, if I never watch it.)
Since I started my mission all those years ago, I have stuck to my pact.
I have read a book (at least) every week.
That’s almost 800 books so far.
I’ve read Kindle books and listened to audio books, but I prefer paper books.
Good old fashioned paper books.
I love the feel and smell of a real book.
I read all the time – when I’m at home, when I’m at the hairdressers, when I’m on the train, when I’m in the doctor’s or dentist’s waiting room.
All the time.
I always have a book with me.
In years gone by, I would see other people reading books around me too…but not anymore.
I can’t remember the last time I saw someone reading a paper book on a train.
I think that’s a shame.
I know the world has to move on, but in my opinion, some things are just too good to be left behind.
Nowadays all of my books are non-fiction.
My mission didn’t include novels.
Clearly, I have lots of personal development books, but I also have lots of books on other random topics too.
Anything that interests me.
I now have a better book collection than Waterstones – seriously!
As a life-long learner, I Love books that teach me something.
I Love the fact that I can acquire a person’s whole life-knowledge or experience for around £10.
How amazing is that?!
Most authors only put their best stuff into their books.
Words are powerful.
Knowledge is powerful.
Words and knowledge applied in the right way can save lives.
I believe the knowledge I’ve acquired from my books has helped me to save lives.
When I come across what I call a golden nugget – a piece of wisdom or information that I think will be really helpful, I copy it into a journal.
Doing this helps me to assimilate that nugget into my repertoire.
Journaling is another thing I started doing all those years ago.
I’ve filled over 50 journals now.
Any book, training, podcast or video that contains a nugget of wisdom goes into my journals.
They are like gold to me.
Fonts of knowledge that I constantly use to help myself and other people.
My two favourite books are The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks and The Power of Your Subconscious Mind by Dr Joseph Murphy.
Why don’t you consider reading them?
They are 2 fairly simple, straightforward books, but they are absolutely bursting with nuggets.
I’ve read them both at least 20 times and I still manage to squeeze another little nugget out each time.
The books haven’t changed, but I have.
I’m further down my path each time, so my eyes and brain see something different.
I’m starting to run out of space now to store my beloved books (along with 200 pairs of shoes).
My greatest desire, going forward, is to build a house.
My dream home will have its own library.
I’ll have floor to ceiling book shelves and one of those little library ladders to help me reach them all.
I’ll also have a sunny little book-nook too, where I can sit and read in the sunshine.
What bliss!
I’ve helped so many people (including myself) since I met that university lecturer.
I’m so unbelievably grateful that I crossed paths with him, and picked up some of his good habits.
In my opinion, reading is a habit that can transform your life.
It certainly transformed mine.
Why don’t you pick up the reading habit (again)?
I’m not suggesting you read a book a week, but just choose a book about anything you enjoy and make a start.
Then when you’re ready, choose another one….
Or why not have a browse through any personal development section and see if anything catches your eye.
Start your journey today.
Books can open your eyes and your mind.
With an open mind you can take on new things that can help and improve your life.
With a closed mind nothing can get in. You’ll stay stuck in whatever situation you are currently in.
Your mind is like a garden – you have to plant flowers or you’re only going to get weeds.
I’m sure I started writing this series of blog posts because I enjoy reading.
Words flow easier, when you read.
When I have more time, I will move from writing blogs to writing books.
I hope this blog has inspired you to go and buy/download a book – any book.
Start/speed up your improvement/enjoyment today.
That’s it for this week.
I’m off to read my book now 🙂
Much Love
Christina xx
(100% book-worm)