Summer Reading

 Once the last day of school was over, I went over to the local used bookstore. My intention was initially purchasing a gift card for my brother's birthday, but it was enjoyable browsing through some of the shelves. I came across the fiction section and John Steinbeck's books, one of them I had recently finished, 'The Pearl'. It felt like summer officially. I could relax and thoroughly enjoy perusing a bookstore after a very long, mundane, tumultuous, and growth filled school year (I am proud of myself for sticking out the school year!). I was excited to be having more time for reading and leisure after a busy semester and enjoy books of my choice.

Books, for me have been a long time love. I get excited and inspired easily when I am in a library or bookstore, thinking about what subjects or titles I would be interested in delving into, reading about, discovering if it piques my interest for short or long term. A side hobby is researching beforehand of topics or titles that the library might have and then awaiting the arrival of the book or finding it myself.

 When I went to the library a few days ago, I enjoyed browsing through the different aisles and sections and was surprised with coming home with a few books. I wasn't so much thinking about the few books I was carrying, bur rather that I had found nearly all of them in the library shelves and was actually interested in them enough to check them out, and not through research and a click through link + which a majority of books I get from. 

If I were to choose my favorite past time, it would be reading. It's the hobby that I never get tired or bored with; I can easily come back to it. It's the first thing that can help me rejuvenate when I'm mentally and socially drained, exhausted and just want to recharge and gain some inspiration and knowledge. Other things come after to help, but reading for leisure or spiritual reading always wins.

So far this year, I've read some new books that I have never read before, as well as some repeated titles. I know some people think its pointless to reread a book after reading it once, but to me, there are some exceptions. For instance, I am rereading 'Yes, Chef', by Marcus Samuelsson for the 4th time. He's my favorite chef, I love his journey and story, his passion for cooking and flavors. And there's so much detail along the way, its easy to forget or miss it the 1st, 2nd or 3rd time.  

In April, I reread for the 2nd time 'The Road to Daybreak' by Henri Nouwen. I love his writing, and his melancholy reflectiveness. He was a Catholic priest and wrote many spiritual books. I've read a few of his books, but I find it helpful, useful and enjoyable to read and well as reread his works. 

I mentioned earlier the classic, 'The Pearl' by John Steinbeck. I had read it once in the 7th grade of English class, but honestly, reading it this time around I gained so much more themes and meaning hidden within that as a 13 year old I easily missed.

In March, I reread 'My Sisters the Saints' by Colleen Carroll Campbell. I read it last summer and enjoyed it so much, learned and gained a lot from her journey of faith, vocation, marriage and motherhood as well as her favorite saints. She's a talented writer, and I would like to read her first book sometime.

There are a few other books that I have reread this year, and I found them to be inspiring once again after a short or long period. Though summer is slowly drawing to a close, with schedules restarting and progressing back up again, I will still find time to read, to enjoy the process of it all, and to continue to learn in various areas. My favorite season is coming up, and what better way to spend the crisp days turning the pages of a book.