All authors were readers before they were authors. It’s that love of reading that made is want to write for others – so they could love reading, too.
When I was young, I was a big fan of the ‘old’ books – Nancy Drew, Trixie Belden – especially Trixie Belden – because that was all my conservative mother would let me read. I got very addicted to Trixie Belden and any kind of horse stories. Didn’t matter who wrote them; I just wanted to read about horses. Black Beauty was my favorite.
Fast forward to my young adult and adult life. I became enamored with historical fiction, in particular, by author Pauline Gedge. She wrote a book called “Child of the Morning” detailing the life of the only Egyptian female pharaoh, Hatshepsut, and from there my love of historical fiction and historical romance was born. The rest is history.
Because I love reading so much, as well as writing, I want to give something back. I want to give the gift of reading. My dearest friend and fellow author Suzan Tisdale came up with a great way of doing that – giving the gift of a six month Kindle Unlimited subscription. Therefore, I will be giving five (5) six-month subscriptions away to five lucky readers and Suzan will also be giving away five six-month subscriptions – that’s ten subscriptions to be won!
Better still, we will both be giving away a Kindle. Two Kindles to two lucky readers! All you have to do is comment on this post and tell me why you like to read. Tell me what it does for your soul. You can then go to Suzan’s website at www.yourcheekywench.com and enter to win there as well. You can enter as many times as you like, post as many answers as you like, and please refer your friends. We want to make sure everyone who wants a chance at a gift of reading is given the opportunity to enter.
On behalf of Suzan and I, thank you for your support. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – without readers, there would be no writers, and that includes Suzan and I, so from the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your support!
Winners will be announced the week of September 14, 2015, so stay tuned!
35 Comments
linnypoo
I love to read. Sometimes to the point where my housework doesn’t get done. I love the feeling of joy, anticipation, excitement, and laughter, when I read. I feel like I am in the book sometimes. Books are a great escape from the stresses of everyday life and, if I could get paid to read, I would have the most awesome job ever! Thank you for the opportunity to express why I love to read.
cjreynolds52
I grew up in an abusive home. Books literally were my escape from the reality of day to day living. Because of the home environment, I couldn’t have friends over. I never knew when things would explode. Books took me lots of places and were my friends.
Nowadays I still escape but return to a happy home. I have discovered book clubs to talk about books and follow authors who create these wonders. I have lots of friends.
vetteklisa
Books are my escape from reality and always have been. Growing up in a military family with 5 kids, we didn’t have extra money for lots of things. By reading, I was able to visit and explore far off lands, have adventures without anyone getting hurt, LOL, and do things that I couldn’t do in real life. Now, I have my dream home in the country with goats and chickens, but my mother in law lives with us due to her age and health. I need my escape just as much now as I did when I was a child.
Denise Holcomb
been reading since I was a child. it was the normalcy and escape I craved as a child. It got me through many difficult times then, and later as an adult. it’s a comfort, it enables me to “travel,” and it broadens my mind. I love reading.
Denise
kaisquared4
Reading is like breathing and eating to me, necessary for survival of my body and spirit.Books have taken me to places and times I could never have experienced otherwise. Words have given me education as well as the HEA I need.
Teresa Travnichek
I don’t remember a time when I didn’t read.. I have always been able to loose myself in a good story. I raised my sons while devouring romance paperbacks. Begged, borrowed or… no, i never stole one.. lol Heck, I read while I watched soaps.. Now I read on my kindle mainly. I like that because I can see to read in the dark.
lol
thislittledollhouse
Reading has always been a very important part of my life but never more so than now. I have been disabled for the past 15 years and my outside activities are getting more and more limited, so much so that my books have become my most faithful friends. I recently discovered your books and have read every one, some more than once! Please write faster! LOL!! I am looking for to the The Lion’s sequel in September! Thanks for keeping me company in the middle of the night!!
Heather
jdh2690
Book ARE food for my soul, and they are my salvation! I started reading mysteries and adventures in libraries years ago as a child and youth, then found my mother’s hidden stash of romances in high school (heh heh). My husband introduced me to a full box set of Georgette Heyer romances upon the birth of our first child (what a world that opened up for me!) and the hunger for reading romances just grew and grew from there. It is my staycay, my relaxation, my “me” time, my entertainment, even my thrill-seeking spirit feeding while reading romantic suspense. I just love to read…simply read. I can get absolutely lost in stories. Thanks for the intriguing question! jdh2690@gmail.com
Beverly Graham
Growing up handicapped from childhood polio (at 8 months old), reading took me to places I’d never physically get to see. It was my way of seeing the world without pain and my mind was free to explore everything through books. When I read about shape shifting, I became that animal or other person and was free of physical limitations; when I read love stories, I was that girl so loved by that hero; when I read of knights in shining armor, I became the Lady they loved. Reading is my life, and I’ll do it until the end! Reading wonderful stories is really living life to the fullest as I’m FREE, no pain physically, mentally or emotionally!! Reading is life for me.
whistleinthewind74
I love to read because it lets me escape for a brief time from my every day dull life.
Kimberley
I like to read, to get away from todays world. With me having to worry about momma, my sisters and nieces and nephews. Plus take care of myself, it is the one thing that gives me a well needed break.
tootsie1958
I have always enjoyed reading. It started with the Hardy Boys then I moved over to Harlequin Romance. At one point I started reading my mom’s romance magazines then found myself reading True Dective as well. My sister introduced me to Kathleen Woodiwiess and my reading taste scored. Historical Romance to Paranormal to time travel. I love the hunky men I get to read about and I know that my “book boyfriend” will always be there for me!! Lol
Carolyn Hughes
I can pick up a book and live vicariously through a character. I am instantly witty, beautiful, smart, courageous, and clever. I can be tall, short, curvy or thin, have any hair color I desire, in any length I may fantasize about. I can travel to different time periods in different countries. I can live in a fantasy world or travel through time. I can be whoever I wish to be in whatever book I wish to read. When I read historicals, they never fail to ignite my thirst to learn more about the time period and the real-life historical figures mingling with my book’s characters. So, inadvertently, while reading historical fiction, I’m learning about world history. Reading is one of the greatest pleasures I have and I am grateful everyday for those who first encouraged me to pick up a book and read.
terri edeen
I read to relax. Sometimes if it’s a good book, I stay up too late as I can’t put it down. Thanks for the awesome giveaway.
ligamentje
I love to read because reading makes me relaxed it also takes you to another world and it gives you a break from your daily life ! I once had a severe depression and reading is what saved me 🙂
ladyvampire
Reading is an escape to me. An escape from reality, from my limitations, even from troubles. It’s a vacation to me that transports me to anywhere, doing anything without limitations. Its a lift to my soul, that brightens my day and has made life worth living before through hard times. Authors really are life savers to many people. Your imaginations heal people and lift spirits like my own everyday.
taswmom
There are so many reasons I love to read. First off, it’s one of the easiest ways to learn about something, be it a person, place, thing talent, time, whatever!
amy2read89
I love reading because it’s a escape from reality when i need it most 🙂 I have a libraries worth of adventures just a page turn away 🙂
riawyn
Reading restores my soul. It takes me to everywhere I want to be, shows me who I want to be, and provides a much-needed escape into other worlds. Through reading, I transcend time, space, culture, race, religion and political views and have the opportunity to experience multiple shades of what it means to be human. The Greek historian Herodotus stated that by reading the Iliad and the Odyssey we become civilized. I believe it is by reading period that we become more civilized and thus more human.
Darlene
I have enjoyed reading since I was a little girl. Books take me to places that I could never travel. Historical ones give me a great story with an educational benefit. I read all kinds of books and enjoy how they take me away from worries for a while. Thank you for the fun giveaway 🙂
arkansasannie
Thanks, Kathryn. Why do I read? Good question. I wish I had a good answer.
But to tell you the truth, I don’t know. I can say it’s not for the reasons everyone else gives.
The most common one is something like “I read to escape”. Well, I don’t. Reality by definition cannot be escaped.
The best book in the world won’t change what’s wrong in my life. Anyhow, most settings and situations in fiction are the kinds I’d want to escape from, not to.
Nor do I read for another common reason, to learn more. At least, I don’t read fiction for that.
For that I go to nonfiction. I get more and better information, faster. And with less distortion and bias. Ideally, anyhow. But here we’re not talking about reading for pleasure. We’re talking about studying.
Do I read to make sense of life? To find meaning in art where there is none in reality? That’s probably part of why I write.
But applying it to reading doesn’t work. A creative work is someone else’s attempt to find meaning. It might have some relevance to my quest for meaning. But it’s no substitute for my own efforts.
Anyhow, the fact that I don’t know why I read doesn’t stop me from reading. Or enjoying it.
katsrus
I love reading cause it takes to other places. I like to sit in my comfy chair with a good book and a cup of coffee. Thanks for the chance.
Hope To Read
I read to be somewhere else, someone else, some other time, something more.
Zaneymom
When I learned to read in 3rd grade, it opened a whole new world to me. By 4th grade I was into historical romance (clean), mythology ,philosophy , and mysteries. Reading is not only a way to release stress and learn, it feeds the imagination allowing you to be someone else or travel. All that without having to go anywhere!
Donna _A
I read for entertainment and escape. Books teach me and take me to places and worlds I can only dream about.
fr_larsson
I love reading! I keep to HEA and fluffy smut, since life can be tragic enough that I want my reading to be happy instead =)
I´m a Kindleholic and won´t leave the house without something to read or listen to. Books make me happy <3
Thanks for the giveaway & Happy Monday!
//Linda
bevieann61
Auto correct sucks sometimes! The first line of my comment is I have loved reading not learned ved!
dfosterbooks
Reading is a great stress reliever for me. And I love those awesome authors who can pull me into the world I’m reading about (historical romance is my particular favorite genre).
bevieann61
I have learned ved reading as long as I can remember! It started with Dr Seuss ,Mrs. piggle wiggle , Pippi Longstockins , then as I got older it was Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boy’s , Little Women. Then S.E. Hinton helped me through some tough teenage times !! Then I read Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell and I was hooked! I started with Rosemary Rogers Wicked Loving Lies!! @15 that was wow!! Through reading I have been all over the world sailed with pirates , been kidnapped and taken to a harem , kidnapped by Indians!! Been to Scotland and England oh the adventures I’ve had ! That’s what reading means to me!!
Rita Andrews
Reading is my sanctuary. It allows me to leave the everyday troubles and worries behind. I can dive into another world that only exists for me. I look so forward to coming home after a long day and dive into an imaginary place.
Tina Myers
I read Nancy Drew books when I was younger also. Now my granddaughter loves reading them too. Thanks for sharing with all of us.
Tina Myers
Forgot to say that reading was the best thing to do when there were 6 of us in the family and we got to share all our books with each other.
starshining4ever
I love reading because it transports me out of reality. I can read about other times, places, people, and doings, and live those happenings in my head Real life can be such a burden and I’m glad God gave us the gift of imagination and storytelling. And then there’s the learning and energy that can come from nonfiction books, that I’m also thankful for. People who’ve been willing to share what they’ve learned and experienced, and ideas they have, are a blessing.
booksaver
When I was a child I read to escape a really lousy home life. I read stories about real families that all sat down to dinner at night and were always there for each other. It was my way to experience a “normal” family life. After I grew up I started reading romance because I had two failed marriages and didn’t get a HEA. I could experience love, passion and joy in those stories. As I became more handicapped with severe RA I used my books to travel all over the world and experience new cultures and learn about places and people all over the world. When I’m feeling down I can always pick up a book and be transported into another world. So I’d say, I’d be lost without my books. I’ve been an avid collector for more years than I like to admit and when I lost my home here in May 2011 in the massive tornado I lost all my books. So I’ve been gradually getting back some of my keepers. I’ll never have them all, but I lived through that nightmare and so many people didn’t so I can’t complain.
nrlymrtl
Books are food for my soul. Dealing with chronic illness means that sometimes my life is limited – but not when I am reading (or listening to audiobooks). I can travel, sword fight, toss around fire balls, have a psychic connection with a large animal companion, or learn just exactly what it is like to accidentally lose your helmet in space.
Comments are closed.