Yesterday’s post by Danielle Henson shared her joy, her passion for learning, reading and community engagement. But she didn’t talk much about the quiet joy, maybe contentment is a better word, of curling up with a book and reading.

I love to sit on my deck with a glass of ice tea or a cold hard cider in the summer, reading a book. Or a trip to the beach with a novel, perhaps a new Faye Kellerman mystery or a new Judy Blume or Anita Diamant book, preferably about the beach.

I love rereading Anne Morrow Lindberg’s A Gift From the Sea. Or Harold Kushner’s How Good Do We Have To Be?

I love falling asleep over a good book, totally relaxed. Or staying up late when the house is perfectly quiet to finish a book I just can’t put down. Or stretching out a book that I just don’t want to end.

I love going to book stores (hey, my parents owned one and then my mother worked at Borders!) and libraries. I love book groups. Sitting around discussing books. Learning from others. Reading things I wouldn’t ordinarily select myself. Laughing. Crying. Creating community.

Reading takes me to new places. It expands me world. It expands my thinking. It allows me to dream. It allows me to escape, just for a time. It reduces stress. I learn new things.

Reading brings me joy.

Think I am alone? Here’s an article I found on the benefits of reading.

http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/10-benefits-reading-why-you-should-read-everyday.html