NATIONAL READ A BOOK DAY

September 6th is National Read a Book Day - what book are you delving into to celebrate?

NATIONAL READ A BOOK DAY

The 6th of September is National Read a Book Day - and there's nothing I like more than reading a great book. In fact, I think I probably churn through two or three a week - and I especially love it when a favourite author puts out a new book.

THE BENEFITS OF READING

Reading improves our memory and concentration as well as reducing stress. There's nothing like losing ourselves in a great story for de-stressing and relaxing. It also keeps our vocabulary flowing and our imaginations working. Another benefit of reading is that older adults who spend time reading show a slower cognitive decline - and I'm all for warding off mental decline!

WHY I LOVE READING

The best part of reading for me is discovering a new author, and I also love finding another person who enjoys a book series as much as I do. There is nothing like a Nora Roberts fan or a Diana Gabaldon lover - the connection is immediate because we totally understand why the other person loves that particular author so much.

I also get a kick out of a free history lesson, or familiarizing myself with another country and its customs that comes as a byproduct of reading a great novel. To be transported to another world (which happens every time I read a fantasy novel) is another aspect I find amazing - the thought that an author can conjure a whole new believable world full of characters that I'm interested in, simply fascinates me.


“A great book should leave you with many experiences, and slightly exhausted at the end. You live several lives while reading.”  ― William Styron

WHAT I'M READING AT THE MOMENT

I've read a few different books lately, including the latest Nora Roberts novel "Come Sundown" and also "Echoes in Death" which was book number 44 in her "In Death" series written under her pseudonym of JD Robb - I'm addicted to this series!

I'm onto book three in the "Shades of Magic" trilogy by VE Schwab, and have enjoyed discovering a great fantasy series by an author I hadn't come across before.

Just to mix it up a bit, I read the Anne of Green Gables series through August and loved going back to a simpler and happier time where the pace of life was so much gentler.

WHAT ARE YOU READING?

In honour of National Read a Book Day I hope you're buried in a story and being transported to a different world, or a different time, or a different country. Let me know what you're reading in the comments - I'm always looking for something new to cast my eye over - nothing too gruesome though!


September 6th is National Read a Book Day - what book are you delving into to celebrate?

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39 comments

  1. Just started Whisky Beach by Nora Roberts. Love her books. Am also a fan of Diana Gabaldon. I will have to check out the JD Robb books.

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    1. Hi Leslie - you'll definitely have to check out JD Robb - it's a murder/suspense series set a little bit in the future - a bit gorey at times but the characters are so well developed.

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  2. I'm so elated you shared (Thanks a Bunch!) how its National Read A Book Day tomorrow!
    I've been caught up in reading "A Colorful Way of Living" by Barbara Bradley Baekgaard
    cofounder of Vera Bradley!
    I must say it's absolutely wonderful and I highly recommend it!!!
    :)

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    1. Thanks Amy - I'll have to add it to my reading list :)

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  3. This is a day that's dear to my heart - I've taught language arts for so long, my reading list is always full of young adult fiction (especially the dystopian stories the kids all seem to love right now) When I read for myself, I love action/mystery; Lee Child and Harlan Coben have become favorites of mine.

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    1. I'm making a list of any recommendations Melody because I'm always looking for new authors to read - I've added yours :)

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  4. I just started Bazaar of Broken Dreams, Steven King's newest short story collection. So far, the first story was meh, but I have a lot left

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    1. Steven King scares the pants off me most of the time Jeremy - maybe in small doses of short stories I could manage to make it through :)

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  5. I don't drink. I don't smoke. I don't like fast food. I don't gamble. I swear recently while I've been under a bit of stress I've realized reading is my true escape. It's why I don't lean on other things too hard because I can dive into a book and emerged refreshed after only an hour or so.

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    1. I love escaping into a book too Carla - nothing beats losing yourself in a great story - especially when life isn't all you want it to be.

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  6. Oh my gosh, this is great! I didn't know we had National Read A Book Day. Every day is Read A Book Day for me. I work at Scholastic and right now I am reading an advance readers copy of Sink or Swim, A Novel of World War Two, which comes out at the end of October. I'm in finance and I don't do anything particularly interesting here, but I'm a bookworm from before I can remember (my parents totally taught me to read without realizing it, just by reading me bedtime stories - one night my mom read a word wrong in a favorite book, and I corrected her, and although at first they thought I might just know the story by heart, they tried me on a book I hadn't seen and it turned out I had just figured it out) and unlimited ARC's are one of the major perks here.

    According to the jacket copy, it's "inspired by the true story of the youngest boy to serve in WW II". It's aimed at the 8 to 12 year old set - I'm actually rereading Sister Carrie but I worked a long day yesterday and thought something less verbose would be nice for the train ride home. I may have 38 years on the oldest of the intended audience, but as a Navy brat and a boat nerd, I'm riveted - Sister Carrie will have to wait in her dull sister's dull apartment until I finish with young Colton's adventures at sea.

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    1. I love a good Young Adult novel Bonnie - they move along fast and furiously and I get so caught up in the story! You are really lucky to have a supply on tap of new books - I hope you can hear the envy in this as I type :)

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  7. A book a day! Wow! Doubt I can keep up that pace. But right now I'm reading The Weight of Ink by Rachel Kadish. It goes back and forth in time between modern London and 15th Century London and the experience of a handful of Jewish people who had come through the Spanish Inquisition and were trying to find a place to call home. Academics in modern day London are unearthing the 15th century manuscripts, which could make or break their faltering careers. Well written and a good story so far.

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    1. It sounds really interesting - I love books that go back and forward in time - a bit of a history lesson without the boring bits :) I've added this to my reading bucket list.

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    2. I recently added "The Weight of Ink" to my TBR list! It sounds really interesting!

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  8. My favourite day!
    Reading at the moment is limited to going over the galleys from my latest book. (Due in today to go to press tomorrow, so I'm a happy girl!) and writing the next in the series. Is there a world outside? I feel I haven't seen it in weeks!

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    1. Your books are so prolific Diane - I am amazed you have so many stories in your head - I don't have a single one.....but I always love reading what others put on the page. My kindle is my new best friend. Good luck with the new book x

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  9. I've always enjoyed reading, LeAnne. In fact during the summers when I was a kid, my mom used to limit me to a book a day!! Those were the days....when you had nothing better to do than read a book all day long!!
    XOOX
    Jodie
    www.jtouchofstyle.com

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    1. I still seem to have plenty of spare time on my hands Jodie - one of the joys of Midlife and no kids to fill my days. I love nothing better than spending a day immersed in a book.

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  10. I love reading and used to go through SO many books when I was working the corporate life - on my commute to and from mostly. These days I am having problems concentrating to read. I am not sure what the problem is but I really want it rectified so I can go back to enjoy books like I always have. #TeamLovinLife

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    1. Maybe you need to shift your genre to Young Adult fiction Min - they moves faster and aren't as hard to concentrate on. I think the Dystopian ones are amazing atm.

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  11. I read every day. It's as essential to me as, well, it's absolutely essential. I read to learn, to escape, to be taken on a journey. What am I reading? I've just finished the latest Rowland Sinclair mystery by Sulari Gentill. #TeamLovinLife

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    1. Nothing like a mystery and some suspense to keep you embroiled in a novel - right Jo? That's what I love about JD Robb - always on the edge until the last pages when I read her stuff.

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  12. I love reading too Leanne and I haven't read Anne of Green Gables for years, but I loved them as a teenager. Although I'm now retired I seem to read less than I did when I worked full time. There always seems to be so much to do these days :)

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    1. Maybe that will happen to me when I retire too Deb - atm I seem to have time in the evenings because there is never anything on TV that catches my interest, and I can't be on my laptop all day!!

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  13. I missed this post yesterday...because I was buried in a great novel, 'The Winter Palace' by Eva Stachniak. Thank you for this great post, Leanne...and for the reminder of the benefits of reading!

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    1. I've added that book to my reading bucket list too Donna - there are so many great authors out there that I've never heard of.

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  14. Okay I am terribly embarrassed to admit - though I'm a reading addict - I did not know there was a national read a book day!

    I've had a slower-than-usual reading week or two - with some family travel and commitments and work stuff. Fortunately I haven't had as many new arrivals as usual and I ditched some books on my to-be-read pile and gave them away when I was in Brisbane. So.... onwards and upwards!

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    1. I am really envious of all the books you get to read Deb - I have to keep hitting on my library and my Overdrive account to find new things to read. I just can't afford to be buying two or three books a week to keep my occupied.

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  15. Snap! I read about 2-3 books a week too! I've had a run of "ordinary" reads lately, to the point where if I give up on a book halfway through I'm not even recording it on Good Reads, so it looks like I'm not reading much lately ... I've been consciously trying to expand my reading matter when choosing books at the library, so there have been a few duds!

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    1. I go along my library's shelves going "Read it, read it, don't want to read it" but I'm trying to branch out a bit too and try new authors - at least when they're free from the library you don't feel so guilty for not finishing them!

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  16. So pleased you have written about this. I already have it in my iPhone. I wish I was still teaching as we all would be doing this with our classes. I am getting better with my levels of concentration these days and can do more sustained times reading books. That might sound a bit strange but for the past few years books have not been able to hold my attention because I have been stressed and on edge. I am book lover from my childhood too. However it takes a good book (and genres I enjoy most are memoirs not fiction) to hold my attention. I tend to listen to books more on Audible or CD these days as well. Happy Reading ahead for the coming week!

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    1. Thanks Denyse - and I'm glad you're getting your stress levels down enough to enjoy a good book or two. I love how we can immerse ourselves in a book and it lets us forget some of the not-so-fabulous stuff going in on in our real lives :)

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  17. I love reading Leanne and can get so engrossed in a book for hours. We like similar authors it appears. I'm so pleased my daughter started reading to Ethan from the time he was born - he just loves books now. Thanks for sharing at #BloggersPitStop. Have a great weekend. x

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    1. Our son and DIL read to Sophia too Sue and both my kids have turned out to be readers (it just took our son longer to find what he was interested in). I don't know how non-readers fill their time :)

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    2. I know what you mean I can get lost for hours in a book! Thanks for linking up at #overthemoon with us. I'm taking my e-book reader on holiday as it saves space but I do love the feel of books.

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  18. I am buried under my own Mt. Must Read, Leanne! I love a good book (and yes, totally get the "connection" when you find someone else who loves Diana Gabolden, haha!). My two favorite recent releases were "A Gentleman In Moscow" and "A Man Called Ove." When my daughter went to college 3 years ago, I found the house way to quiet, and have become an audiobook addict. WWII historical fiction is probably my favorite read, but I love a great variety, as well. Happy reading, fellow bookworm! :)

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  19. Wish I had more time to read. Only on holidays (or sitting in the car on the sidelines of my son's soccer training). #teamlovinlife

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Thanks so much for your comment - it's where the connection begins.