Reading

I’ve always loved reading but working long hours put a serious crimp in my energy for it. I often thought of the Twilight Zone episode with Burgess Meredith in which he wishes for time to read, and he receives it after a global catastrophe, only to break his one pair of glasses as he opens the first book. Only a really good book could entice me to read instead of turning off my brain and turning on the TV.

Since retirement I quickly plowed through my reading list that had built up over several years. It felt great to read again; so relaxing to pick up a good book and get lost in it for a while. Thanks to a birthday and Christmas, I got a new batch of books to keep me going for a few months. And I’ve got my Route 66 material to dive into once planning that trip is feasible – stay tuned for future posts about that.

My tastes have changed as I’ve aged – from fiction to sports to books from which I can learn or be inspired. To keep from getting stale I alternate between a pure pleasure book and an educational book. For the latter, business books provide inspiration, self-improvement tips, and potential ideas for the next phase of life. Historical biographies and accounts of events, particularly around the founding of this country, have grabbed my attention for the last few years and fit into both categories. Thanks to Neil Peart (see a previous post), I got interested in travel journals. Reading the accounts of someone’s travels is a great way to get to know the author and explore new places. Such journals have been some of the most fun and rewarding reading I have encountered and have inspired me to add several trips to my “once it’s safe” list. Other interests are contemporary history and biographies, both of which offer entertaining ways to learn, and some fiction – thriller / science for pure entertainment.

Being old school, I prefer physical books, the printed word on paper, over reading via a Kindle or on my computer. There is something magical about holding a book in one’s hands while getting lost in it. And I can add notes to pages in physical books that highlight key parts and add to the experience. Can’t do that on a Kindle.

It’s important to keep our brains busy, especially as we age, and reading is a fun way to engage the most important muscle we have. Books provide a path for continuous learning, open us to new ideas, and can provide an escape for a while. No matter what your reason for reading, turn off the TV and dive into a book. It’ll give a much-needed workout to your brain, may teach you something, and might even inspire you to do something new (like starting a blog). Happy Reading!