It’s safe to say I was a late bloomer when it comes to reading. I was never a reader, ever! I didn’t even read when it was required for school.
In 2005, post Hurricane Katrina, I relocated about 4 hours away from my immediate family and friends. I found myself to be very bored and lonely at times. The Da Vinci Code was all a buzz, so I figured I would try to read it and see what all the fuss was about. I read the first chapter, reread the first chapter, put it down, and never picked it up again. A coworker recommended Angels and Demons, another Dan Brown novel. I thought to myself, “I couldn’t get through the first chapter of the other book, so why would I try another one?” However, he insisted that I would love the book, so I made the extremely skeptical attempt to read it. It took me about a month, but I read it and I loved it. I was so proud of myself for reading a book.
In 2007, I returned back to the New Orleans area. One day my sister, an avid reader who read Gone with the Wind at the age of 3, said to me, “hey, I just read this book and I think you will love it.” I replied, “no thank you, I read a book last year.” I mean it was nice and all but really, I had better things to do with my time. As time went on, she pestered me about reading this darn book. Finally, bored one day, I picked up this book. I read it. I READ ANOTHER BOOK!! It was so good. It was a series and I NEEDED to know what was going to happen! That book, that book that changed my outlook on reading forever, was TWILIGHT!
At the time, only the first 2 books were available. Well what was I supposed to do?? I went into a B. Dalton Bookstore in the local mall (Borders and Barnes and Noble were too intimidating at the time). I found another YA Supernatural series to read. I bought 1 book every week until I caught up with that series. I would just stand at the YA New Release section and pick out whatever caught my eye. I was too intimidated to even venture further into the store. I was afraid to try anything different. What if I didn’t like it? Would I be discouraged and not want to read anymore? But, did I want to only read books about Vampires, Werewolves, and other supernatural and paranormal beings?
Through like minded friends, recommendations, and social media, I was able to slowly broaden my reading interests. Although I still enjoy a vampire here and there, my go to genre is now Mystery and Suspense, primarily Cozy Mysteries. I owe a lot of gratitude to Ellen Byron, author and friend, for introducing me to this amazing genre. I also enjoy Historical Fiction and Chick Lit. I don’t mind a nice Romance, as long as the romance doesn’t go beyond PG13.
So here I am, 12 years and about 600 books later, blogging about the books I read and how much reading has changed my life. I think its safe to say, I have discovered a passion in reading. Reading has pulled me out a few very dark places and times in my adult life. I read to be entertained and to escape the everyday trials of the real world.
Thank you all for participating in this page and helping me share my passion with you.
Room of Required Reading 