Reading is one of my favorite past-times. I like to curl up in bed or on the sofa with a paperback or hard-cover book in my hands while listening to soothing jazz music. Sometimes a cup of tea on the side table waiting to be sipped completes the contented mood I usually aim for. But I seldom get to read hard copies anymore because there aren’t many bookstores in my community or country that actually sells mystery novels and other genres that readers are fond of.

If you do happen to come across a few books that pique your interest, even at a general store or pharmacy, you can be sure their price will make you raise a brow in disbelief. The bookstores' primary sales are educational textbooks that are used in schools.

Nowadays, I mainly read novels downloaded to my laptop. Many are advanced readers' copies for reviews so I seldom have to purchase any. Some were given to me as gifts, including hard copies. Someone recently told me that she only read hardcovers because holding a book in her hands makes reading more pleasurable than a downloaded one. No arguments from me! The collection of books that is on my bookshelves, plus the ones stored in a trunk are not neglected nor gathering dust. It has taken a while to build this collection and although these are not of monetary value, I will not part with any of my treasured books. 

“Neither a lender nor borrower I will be.” I’m sure a few readers probably feel the same when someone asks to borrow a book from you and it is never returned. If it is, you look in dismay at the tattered state that it is in. This is not the condition in which the borrower received the book. You make a mental note never to lend a book again, even if the person is very close to you.

It doesn't matter how often I re-read a particular book, there is always something in its content that will always amuse me, or put me in a contemplative mood. That’s why I don’t understand why people only read a book once. Yes, there are a few novels that aren’t worth a second glance, but on the other hand, there are novels so significant and outstanding in writing and in meaning, that they deserve to be read more than once with delight.

Reading strengthens one’s vocabulary, writing, and speaking skills. This can be proven when speaking to some people who think reading is boring. Their vocabulary usage can be minimal and repetitious at times. The only reading they are focused on is their email, text messages, and an occasional newspaper article. Their loss, I say, although reading is a hobby, just like gardening, which some people are fond of, while others don’t care for it at all.

 My attempts to get a few friends to discover the joys and adventures that can be found on the pages have been ignored so I no longer bring the topic up, but silently hope someday they will discover how potent, inspiring, and entertaining books are. They say, "Reading maketh the man.” Hmm…do you agree?