Once upon a time, on a dark stormy night, you heard those words and knew you were in for an exhilarating and breathless adventure. Growing up, we used books to prolong bedtime and even classwork. I cried at the end of Old Yeller, cheered with the little boy in the Indian in the Cupboard, and laughed at Templeton’s antics in n Charlotte’s Web.

 

Everywhere I look one can see the influence of books if one looks hard enough. How many have heard the line, “is’ a sin to kill a Mockingbird,” or “the love of money is the root of all evil?” How about “the supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting,” and one more “love is the greatest.”

 

After reading L. Frank Baum did you believe there was an Emerald City and a yellow brick road? Or perhaps J.M. Barrie hooked you into never growing up. My personal favorites were Judy Blume and I often wondered as Margaret did, “Are you there, God?”

 

A good book can stimulate the imagination, provide a respite from the traumas of reality, or spur you to take action.

 

Where would we be without Scout’s innocence and fortitude from Harper Lee’s ‘To Kill a Mockingbird.’ The wisdom and plea for a better humanity is Sun Tau’s ‘The Art of War.’ Then a book many of ancestors were taught how to read from ‘The Bible.’ So many of the lessons we share and cliches we have come from this great Book, including ‘The Golden Rule’ —do unto others. . .  

 

Everything I ever wanted to know I learned from a book. When I was too afraid to ask about sex, I went to the library and learned about foreplay, orgasms, and safe sex. When I wanted to know more about how my body worked, I found a book on women’s health. I became a caterer after reading Diane Mott Davidson’s books. and a romance author after reading Harlequin books. I love to read and prefer it over watching a movie or TV show. Books give a tidy, satisfying ending even when the reality is total chaos. How has reading influenced you?