I’m not completely sure, but I think it is National Book Week.
I hope it is. There is nothing I love much more than books. Always have, always will.
I don’t know when it started. I guess it was back in early childhood. When we moved to the mountains, childhood friendships were already set in stone. And, since houses were few and far between, and neighborhoods barely existed, I was left to my own devices. And those devices were books.
I think there was a period in my life when I did not read books. That happened in Key West. There was simply too much other than books to capture my interest. There was plenty of water, and boats and bicycles to ride. There were plenty of like-minded, youthful people just like myself, plenty of opportunities to pal around. There really wasn’t much time for sitting around reading.
San Francisco was much the same. There was the big city – spread out before me, with all its allures. I didn’t have time to sit around and read, again. I can’t believe now that I lived in Key West and San Francisco so long, and never went near a library.
That is no longer the case. The library is as important to me as the grocery store. The library is always my first stop when I “go to town.” I adore the Alleghany Highlands Regional Library, and the women who work there. They are dedicated and helpful and quite friendly. We suggest books to each other. If there’s an author I think I want to read, or a new book I’d like to get my hands on, all I need to do is ask and, soon enough, there it is!
I feel quite proud that some of the authors I’ve suggested have become “crowd favorites” with other voracious readers. The first example in my head is Paul Doiron. While I am not certain how to pronounce his name, I know his characters well. They center around game warden Mike Bowditch, and his various adventures in the woods.
I’ve come to adore books about wildlife and the woods and such – especially if there are bears.
I think the best bear book I’ve ever read – and I’ve read it at least three times, about once a year – is “Blood Lure,” by Nevada Barr. It is a laugh and gasp out loud book about a gigantic grizzly bear roaming the woods. It takes a very surprising turn, and I love surprising turns.
I don’t like books where the bear is the “villain.” I am always rooting for the bear. (And the giant bear in “Blood Lure” can be – surprise! – absolutely hilarious.) You’ve just got to read it for yourself to see what I mean.
There are books that jump off the shelf at me as soon as I walk in and peruse the new books section. Books by Lee Child about Jack Reacher. Books by Brad Thor about Scott Harvath. I like thrillers, and these two authors are some of my favorites. Just like Mitch Rapp, the protagonist of the gone-way-too-soon author Vince Flynn.
A writer named Kyle Mills has taken over the Rapp series since Flynn’s untimely death from a brain tumor. I actually met Kyle and sat beside him at a book fest in Richmond several years ago. He had not yet catapulted to fame, but was very interesting to chat with. I love to meet authors whose books I love. I must be careful not to slip into “rabid fandom.” I must act like it’s the most natural thing in the world to meet someone I sort of wish I were.
So, I hope you celebrate National Book Week – whenever it is. There is truly nothing like losing yourself in a captivating story. Books … you gotta love ‘em!