Reading and writing--a whole new chapter.

Cass County Library District--Howard Township Branch.

September 2024--Funny how I’ve been a writer for so long yet only a reader for a few years. One would think the two go together—you know like having something crunchy with your sandwich or a glass of red with your steak. I guess they usually do. But I seem to have been the exception. Adding reading to my writing is a whole new chapter.

Never had the time—nor the interest—to sit and read a book. I did used to peruse a Reader’s Digest—does that count?

There was a time when I read almost the entire Janet Evanovich series starting with One for the Money, Two for the Dough, Three to Get Deadly; and so on. I think I read all of them up to Lean Mean Thirteen.

There also was a time I was in a Book Club with some pretty awesome ladies. You would have thought that would have gotten me firmly into the reading habit. It didn’t. Those were the years I was on the sidelines cheering on my little soccer, volleyball, baseball, softball, and basketball players.

It wasn’t until I retired that I started picking up books on a regular basis—even got a library card. It wasn’t my first library card, but it’s the first one I actually used. I’m at the library a lot and our librarian is awesome. She knows me by name since we chat every time I’m there. And I know her by name. (Confession: To help me remember her name as I’m approaching the door I start to hum a little Beach Boys song—Help Me, Rhonda. That’s her name and that’s what she does. Don’t laugh—it works!)

Rhonda recently suggested Kristin Hannah’s book, The Women and I finished in less than two days. It’s a historical fiction book about the women who served in Viet Nam. They were the nurses who helped care for the wounded—medically as well as emotionally. You can tell Kristin did her research. It shows. It may be considered fiction, but it was what really was happening during the Viet Nam war, and it is an exceptional book.

Sometimes I enjoy a good thriller. Usually not because I’d rather be entertained in a calm way—not fretting about what happens next. Kinda like when I watch thriller movies—it’s usually with my eyes closed, except hard to read with your eyes closed, right? I recently read two of Freida McFadden’s books—The Housemaid and The Housemaid’s Secret. Oh, my goodness—calling it a thriller doesn’t even come close. Maybe a psychological thriller? I don’t know—but once you pick it up, it’s hard to put it down.

And for some reason CJ Box Joe Pickett series books have captivated me in a way I could not have imagined. It’s about a Wyoming game warden. Doesn’t sound too exciting but they really are good books—well written and great storylines.

After finishing a CJ Box book, I go back to my favorites like Susan Mallery or Mariah Stewart. They write so well and tell a story that people can relate to—honestly, by the third chapter you know these characters and you start to feel emotionally connected.

In the past I never really thought of reading a book as something I wanted to do. It started out that I would read only in between doing something else—like sitting in a doctor’s office or waiting for the dryer buzzer to sound. Now, I take the time to just sit and read. Every day.

I have so much respect for these writers. Their stories are wonderful. And in a way I’m a little jealous. I had often thought about writing a book but never followed through. But you know what? I think when I grow up that’s exactly what I’m going to do.

For now, I'm just taking it one day at a time...

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