Thanks to the magic of reading one doesn’t have to go treking to go on a journey of discovery. It mostly takes an open mind, curiosity, and a sense of adventure.
What an astonishing thing a book is…one glance at it and you’re inside the mind of another person, maybe somebody dead for thousands of years. Across the millennia, an author is speaking clearly and silently inside your head, directly to you. Writing is perhaps the greatest of human inventions, binding together people who never knew each other, citizens of distant epochs. Books break the shackles of time. A book is proof that humans are capable of working magic.
—-Carl Sagan
Have you ever felt that sense of excitement and wonder?
April 30, 2016
every. single. day.
and
what a wonderful post…
and quote from one of my favorite people… carl sagan.
and it makes me want to get a ukulele! or maybe an indian flute.
I like those too. not sure about how well my neighbors like them though. 🙂
it just dawns on me… i’m thinking that adorable picture is of kaitlin
reading an article on biology no doubt.
just thought i’ve seen it before and it’s her and it’s priceless!
I was thrilled when I came across the Sagan quote — talk about synchronicity. 🙂
I took piano lessons as an adult for over three years when Kaitlin was younger, and I practiced between a half hour and an hour a day. There’s something magical too about hitting the right key at the right time and having music come out. I still remember how thrilled I was.
Yes, I did use that picture of Kaitlin before, for a post on lifelong learning. It makes me smile every time I see it, and it seemed to fit here.
Learning to play the Uke may not be as enjoyable as reading a book is , but I think here the point is the absurdity of both choices. Give me the book choice every time. But of course I have felt the sense of excitement and wonder.
Making music is another form of magic. 🙂
There’s something badly wrong with someone who never feels excitement and wonder. And yes, books often bring that about, especially sharp and perceptive books that give me a brand-new take on the world.
I like history, biographies, and memoirs. I’ve been reading some good books by doctors and one Emergency Medical Technician/Paramedic about their experiences. The one I’m listening to now is Do No Harm: Stories of Life, Death, and Brain Surgery by a neurosurgeon. He talks about his mistakes as well as his successes and how caring about your patients can eat away at you. It’s a powerful story. I couldn’t take all that responsibility.
If it is August here but I am reading a book that includes a blizzard you may see me go get a sweater. Do I get lost in books? Yes, I do. That’s why I don’t read authors like Stephen King. 🙂
amen!
I don’t read scary books either! Unless you count all the stories I’ve been listening to about the medical system.
I totally agree with the thoughts! Especially about the books because I come from a long line of librarians, and was an avid reader for many years – I need to find the time to take it up again. There’s nothing like a good book to open the mind and imagination!
I agree!
I read Do No Harm some months ago. A very illuminating book. Very down to earth and candid about the ins and outs of his job and how he copes with it all. It just increases my admiration and gratitude for the surgeons that do that kind of job and are ready to give us all the help we need in a medical emergency.
I agree. But this book and the others I have been reading (listening to) inspire me to have a healthy lifestyle. I’m with Dr. Marsh, I hate hospitals!
I really think reading books saved me as a child.
There were times that I needed to escape and they helped me do that.
I was the kid with the huge pile of books.
Lately I read how-to or self/help as in Law of Attraction, or retirement books or of course anything about Art and motivation to do Art books.
I do like listening to books in the car.
and Yes! I have read a LOT of Stephen King.
But I love books like the one Nora Ephron wrote about her neck
Or Tina Fey’s book or Amy Poehlers was EXCELLENT.
Once in a while I’ll read a book about a dog. But I have to feel emotional strong when I do! LOL!
Yep, love books.
(I’ve failed at learning several musical instruments.)
😀
xoxoxo
I think books have saved many a child. I would have gone bonkers without them.
I think I wrote a blog post last year on some of the books that are from my childhood – right now I’m only reading books related to my “flower-art” – not the kind I’m making but more real flowers – so I have ideas…
I probably read a lot because I could runabout like other children…
Books are a blessing for all sorts of reasons. We were fairly isolated as kids, and books helped a lot.