"Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body."-- Sir Richard Steele...

I found this quote when researching (another passion of mine, but that's for another time) for this post.  I wanted to find something that captured how I feel about books and reading.  Truth be told, book are and always will be my "first love."  Please don't report me to the knitting authorities (hee! hee!).  While knitting has become a passion of mine in the last 2 years, it will not replace my fondness for books.  Sometimes, I do listen to audio books while knitting (currently listening to The Count of Monte Cristo ), but mostly I prefer to savor the experience of a good book as a sole activity.  I prefer books that challenge me to think about things in a different way, books about  human psychology, books that well, just stimulate my mind and make me think.  At least that is were I am now.  It has not always been this way.

For as long as I can remember, books have always been a part of my life.  When I was growing up, I was a part of the BOOK IT! program (pizza was an added bonus!!).  I also always joined the summer library program in my hometown.  Childhood favorites included:  Ramona Quimby  (entire series, really), Amelia Bedelia , and Judy Blume books .  Then, I became fascinated with mysteries.  My all time favorite is The Westing Game . 

As I got older, I wanted more "mature" books and I remember going to the adult section of the library to check out Fifteen and other such books, like the Sweet Valley High series .  And, I clearly remember the librarian, Mrs. E. giving me and my friends suspicious looks when we chose these titles (remember, I grew up in a very small, conservative Midwest town), but she would still let us check them out.

During my college years, I kind of took a hiatus from "pleasure" reading, as I was too busy reading required material for my classes (yes, I was a studious college student).  When I was getting my Master of Accountancy, I did start reading Stephen King books at the recommendation of my college roommate's boyfriend (now husband).  That was a surprise for me, as I didn't see myself enjoying these books.  But, I read several, but eventually moved on...

After I moved to the D.C. area, my roommate convinced me to try Mary Higgins Clark and James Patterson (Alex Cross series).  Since I still liked mysteries, I read nearly all books published by these two authors.  She had a friend who was an avid reader and always passed books she read along to us.  Well, that's when I was introduced to Ann Rule .  The first book I read was entitled, "Bitter Harvest" and took place in a suburb of Kansas City.  Since that was familiar territory and I vaguely remembered hearing about the story, I was fascinated.  After that, I was hooked and still am to reading Ann Rule true crime (I don't read any other true crime author).  I like her style.  I am fascinated about human psychology, police investigative work and trying the case (I had dreams of becoming a prosecutor at one point in my college career, but was dedicated to my chosen field of accounting.  I wasn't sure if my "shy" nature would be suited for that profession.  Although, I was chosen by my Constitutional Law professor to present Oral Arguments in our Mock Supreme Court.  And, was told I did a fantastic job...  I had done tons of research (see above) and was able to easily answer any questions thrown at me by the "Justices."  I got an "A"...but I digress...).  I even fancied that I would like to write true crime someday...

Currently, I am caught up in the classics.  We read primarily Shakespeare in high school (because Mrs. W retired after my junior year and it was senior year  in which her class studied the classics.  But, I'm not bitter!).  So, until I have exhausted myself of them, that's primarily all I shall read.  With the exceptions of my book club book selection (which exposes me to things I might not have tried on my own) and some of the European history books I'm reading -- primarily British and French history. 

Wow, what a long post.  While this is primarily a knitting blog, I have been wanting to devote some time to literature as well - since it is such an important part of who I am. 

What are your favorite books?  Childhood or present?  Who are your favorite authors?  An inquiring mind is curious to know.  I can now say that Fyodor Dostoevsky is my favorite author of all time.  While I have only read two of his books, I plan to read more and most likely embark on reading Joseph Frank's 5 volume series on Dostoevsky's life.  And, its entirely possible that I will read biographies of other authors of classic literature. 

If I'm doing all this reading, when am I going to have time to knit?  Must figure out how to make more hours in the day...