This is the end of the week that we mark as National Banned Book Week. My parents owned a book store in the 80s. The American Booksellers Association together with the American Library Association sponsored this week and we participated every single year. I still have my buttons that we wore in the store. Books are important. Reading is important. One of the reasons is that it connects us to each other. The discussions about books deepen our knowledge and our ability to think critically and problem solve. I have been part of several book groups. The friendships that they have built are friendships that have lasted a life time. I read books for the CKI book group. I don’t go to the book selection meeting as a general rule so they pick and I read a wider range of books. I read cookbooks, biographies, memoirs, mysteries, books that friends suggest. Those discussions can connect me to people here or across the miles. Most books I read I write a review on a platform called goodreads. This also connects me to others. These days reading and libraries are under attack. It is hard to find independent book stores. Libraries add so much to our lives. They are true community builders. The Gail Borden Public Library here in Elgin offers books, obviously, and so much more. Meeting space. Classes and Events. Early voting. Passport services. DMV Services. Videos. Games. Children’s play space. Digital Media Lab. So much more.  
I don’t understand why some find books and libraries so threatening. Jews are known as People of the Book. Keep reading.