Three Books…
I can quickly think of three books (each of which I thought I would not like) that have had a major impact on how I live my life. What about you?
I have my mother to thank for my love of books, even though when I was a child I used to hate when she really got into a book. There was no talking with her, no way to get her attention unless I really insisted, persisted with my efforts, only to result in her rising out of her deep attentiveness with clear displeasure, annoyance and sometimes exasperation. “WHAT DO YOU WANT?” I learned not to interrupt her when she was reading a novel. And I wanted to be like her.
I don’t read with the same kind of intensity that my mother did. My husband and daughter do. My father didn’t either, and I am more like him, as is our son. My daddy loved to read and enjoyed non-fiction as well as novels. He just didn’t fall into books, not to be seen or heard from until finished like other members of the family.
As my son was growing up he didn’t read a lot. I learned to let go of worrying, knowing that he would get there in his own time. I used to tell him “No problem. I know you will be a reader1.” And I remembered the words I had heard as a teenager.
When I was about 17, we had a friend of the family who was a teacher at my boarding school. I never took classes from her, but I did spend weekends with her sometimes. I remember feeling lost about what to study in university and beyond. She told me not to worry, just to keep on reading.
Don’t worry about your education Rylla. Just never stop reading.
Your education will come.
Edythe Tessen
What wise words. And how true. To this day, I am inspired to do so many things by reading; getting my to do list done, writing, and living my life in the way I choose. It is why I read most every morning, first thing.
I don’t read the news, nor anything that I “should” read. I read for pleasure. I’m often surprised how even novels inspire me with sage words from a character or tell a story that compels me into action, into my day.
Oh, the three most impactful books in my life? Well, let me leave that for my next post. (Or next three? 🤔) Before I tell you mine I invite you to take some time to consider yours.2 And by all means, if you care to share, please do!3
A book is a garden, an orchard, a storehouse, a party, a company by the way, a counselor, a multitude of counselors.
Charles Baudelaire
He did indeed become a reader.
Fiction or non-fiction? Hmm, maybe I have more than three…
I’d love to hear what your top books are (3 or whatever number) and why, if you like. Please comment here or if you want to play over in Substack Notes, you can follow my invitation to chat there. I haven’t used the app yet, but hey, maybe it can be a good place to connect. シ