On books, reading and writing

I have been neglecting my always-growing reading list for the past two years- sad right? I am where I am today because I love to read. I love everything about books- the way they feel, the way they smell, holding them in my hands (no Kindle for me), the way they challenge the way you think and the power they have to transport you to another place.

I am a huge proponent of teaching kids to read at a young age. I believe know that my mind operates the way it does today because of the time my parents spent teaching me the importance of reading. It allows you to dream- and tickles that creative muscle that everyone has in them somewhere.

That being said, I can't wait to get started on my stack of books that have collected a thin layer of dust by my bedside since I've been in grad school. I like them all: memoirs, fiction, non-fiction, mystery, chick-lit, children's books, long, short, sad, happy- I don't discriminate.

When I was younger, my mom would take me to the library every week and we would come back home with stacks and stacks of books that I couldn't wait to discover. Things haven't changed much- except now I'm browsing through the grown-ups section at the book store.

So when I'm free, I can't wait to start up that relationship with my books that has been put on the shelf (so to speak) for too long now. I hope they missed me as much as I have missed them. The first book that I think I will read is:

I can never pass up a good dog book- I'm a sucker for them.....

Any other suggestions? Feel free to pass them along to me....