Thursday, May 31, 2012
How Books Imitate Life
I am a reader. I love to read. I love books! The thought, sight, feel, touch..everything about books. I would read all day if I didn't have to do other stuff. I also like to talk about books, usually at dinner with the kids and at night with my husband. I can't hide my enthusiasm. Two nights ago I was telling the family (again) why they should be readers...how every person likes to be aware, to understand, to learn, to grasp what is going on...maybe people do not realize this, but we all love to learn....and books help do this! I was explaining whatever book I read, I start to notice what I am reading in the world. It is unbelievable really. When I was reading Uncle Toms Cabin, a group of nonbelievers were protesting the year of prayer and put a billboard of a slave in shackles with a quote from the Bible, in the middle of the city! When I read the lives of the saints, I saw examples of holiness and goodness even at the gym. I was challenging my kids to just try and see...start reading and notice how the book mimics something in your life...you will be amazed. So yesterday, I began reading Karl Marx. At 1:30 in the afternoon the doorbell rings. It is a salesman. This is only the second door to door salesmen in our neighborhood since we moved into this house 10 years ago. He is asking me to buy magazines to support People For Work...an organization dedicated to helping people make money who have lost their jobs because they were replaced by machines! (one of Marx's favorite themes). He said he worked for waste management and his job was replaced by a robot with claws...I just started the book yesterday!
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you might want to read a book on winning the lottery to tes out your theory....haha...
ReplyDeletehaha! Yes! Just don't read The Lottery. You don't want that happening to you!
DeleteJenna
callherhappy.com
Wow, you are lucky to get so few salesmen coming. We get sometimes 2 a week!!But they mostly offer new cable plans etc.
ReplyDeleteyou should read "The Grand Pursuit" if you want an historical context for these economic theories, does a good job on the Marx/Engels period and adds tidbits I wasn't aware of when I was an enthusiastic Marx follower!
ReplyDeleteThis is truly amazing, it is almost like a science fiction story, I can hear the Twilight Zone music in the background. But I guess it is just that books make you so much more aware of your world. That man would have probably not meant much to you were it not for the book.
ReplyDeleteI am a bookaholic. I keep books in my car, every place in the house, at the office, in my church bag, etc. I panic if there is not a book within grabbing distance.
ReplyDeleteI thought about your theory and it reminded me of when I bought a car. The color was unique, nothing I had seen on the roads, or at least it seemed that way, until I bought it. I saw so many cars that were the same color as mine. Like with the car color, I think our awareness of something is more heightened when it becomes personal.
Perhaps you are more aware of something around you because what you are reading in fresh in your mind. I know it is that way for me.
What a provocative topic. I've always found it interesting how we are drawn to certain book titles at particular moments in our lives. It raises fascinating insights into ourselves, don't you think? For instance, why are you curious about the ideas of Marx, and would you have picked up that same book ten years ago?
ReplyDeleteLove your topic today!
Leslie (aka Gwen Moss blog)
haha i don't usually read the other comments too much--but couldn't help but see your first commenter, and i am with them---that was really cool how the salesman was selling something along those lines!
ReplyDeleteThat last one with the salesman would be funny if it weren't so freaky. xo
ReplyDeleteThat is so weird! I agree with Lynn--Brian in the first comment hit the nail on the head ;) I am a huge reader too, so may have to give that a go myself!
ReplyDeleteI decided last week to actually read War & Peace...do not ask me why...what should I expect at my door now?
ReplyDeleteYou know that is really so true. It's like when you get a car in a certain color and then you notice how many other cars are out there in that same color. Kinda like that? I love to read too. So very much. I am currently reading like 3 other books, besides the bible. One about my dogs, one that is a fiction called This Song For You all about music and our relationships and memories we make because of music, and then another kinda self help, called Out Live Your Life. I pick the book depending on my mood, do you do that too?
ReplyDeleteVery interesting and thought-provoking post. What we read does make us more aware of what is going on around us. We are constantly making connections from what we read to the real world. I am constantly talking to my students about making real-world connections to what they read. People who love to read learn to do this and it makes reading relevant. Others who never learn to make connections, see reading as an activity that takes place outside of the real world and most never really learn to enjoy it. Good post.
ReplyDeleteHi. Stopping over from My Life As Lucille. Thanks for visiting! That's funny and interesting about the books. It's kind of like when you start shopping for a Fiat then you start seeing them everywhere...only Fiats aren't really as profound as Karl Marx or Sam C. lol!
ReplyDeletePS, I LOVE books. I'm usually reading about 12 at the same time though. Kindle has contributed to my ADD.
DeleteI love to read also. If you havent heard of Booksneeze you should check it out! They send bloggers free books to read and review. I just started using them.
ReplyDeleteI wish I had more time to read. I have a kindle, so no more pages for me. When I retire, I believe I'll read. :) (Yeah, what Brian said, too)
ReplyDeleteI'm an avid reader too, and I agree with the first commenter:P Maybe, the universe is telling us something when we pick up something to read...hmmmm....
ReplyDeleteI love to read, allot of the younger people these days don't want to read sadly. I don't like the e-readers, I like a good old fashioned book with pages! Nice post x :-)
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love to read books, too...and write about them :) Many times there is something in the book I'm reading that changes my life.
ReplyDeleteI agree, I often find a parallel situation with a book I am reading. I don't really believe there is anything mystical about it; I believe reading opens one's mind to be be more aware of our surroundings and hopefully more accepting. Like you there is never enough time to read. I love this post! Bonnie
ReplyDeleteWow! I love to read and sometimes can relate themes in a book to those going on in my life, but this is at a whole different level!
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of coincidences. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI would rather have a book than most any technological toy~
ReplyDeleteWhoa! I used to love to read too. I was in a book club. When I had my 3rd..no time..so I started reading encyclopedias. True, short and interesting. Now I have time to read again and I love it. However...I have been reading Anna Karenina for about 18 years..cannot quite seem to get through it...one of my life goals. I just finished AVERAGE JOE...it was average, with a good message.
ReplyDeleteWhen you read Harry Potter, do broomsticks fly around your house?
ReplyDeletehahaha
ReplyDeleteStill chuckling about Brian's suggestion.
;)
I used to read actual books. Reading blogs has taken over the my reading, but at least I can increase the text size!
ReplyDeleteYep, you just can't beat the feel or the smell of a good book :-).
ReplyDeletePlease read a book about world peace.
ReplyDeleteJane x
That's an interesting story! I also love to read, but these days a lot of it is classics on my Nook, as so many are available for free. I'm currently reading a first-person account written by a slave in the 1800s, it's incredibly enlightening.
ReplyDeleteI love books too. Kindle books aren't quite as satisfying but at least you always have one with you.
ReplyDeleteThe side effect you have is weird... and a little spooky. I was inspired by the Hatfield/McCoy drama on the history channel and downloaded "The Coffin Quilt" to read more about them. Hopefully I'm not dodging bullets soon...
That's awesome!
ReplyDeleteI believe things like this happen more often than we think.
ReplyDeleteXO,
Jane
totally excited to start reading for pleasure again, now that I am done with college for the time being! Happy reading to you!
ReplyDeleteAnn Marie, I so admire your love for reading and your ability to fly through books and absorb so much. I am a reader wannabe, but
ReplyDeleteI struggle to get through books. I'm gonna keep on trying. This blog entry is very creative and you are very perceptive. Thanks for sharing.
For me the book has to catch me from the get go. IF it doesn't I am done, but when I do find a book that can, I will read the whole thing in one sitting :) Thanks for stopping by my blog
ReplyDeleteIs that God, or is that odd?
ReplyDeleteAnnmarie, that is a little bit cool and a little bit creepy. I have done similar things, though. When I read LITTLE WOMEN as a girl, my grandmother, who lived right next door, would tell me about projects she made as a child which made me feel like I was in that era. My grandmother also loved to read GIFTS FROM THE SEA over and over. Well, I won a contest over at The Shop Around the Corner blog a couple of weeks ago and Marcia sent me paper name tags that she designs and makes. She happened to mention the book GIFTS FROM THE SEA when she announced I had won. cool! And,... last night, as I was trying to organize stuff in my storage room, I happened upon my copy of GIFTS FROM THE SEA. Coincidence? nah. :) I always love reading your posts.
ReplyDeleteI love to read, but have never noticed that particular phenomenon...very interesting!
ReplyDeleteInteresting! I hadn't noticed this but will watch for it now that you've mentioned it.
ReplyDeleteI love Brian's comment! LOL
Isn't that amazing,AnnMarie? I do think that all of life is connected in one way or another- We only need to open our eyes to see the connections. Great post- xo Diana
ReplyDeleteI see the same thing as I read through my bible. Every time I study a certain section, I see examples in the world around me of how it applies.
ReplyDeleteEncouraging Thoughts for Life
I also love to read, and I've noticed that reading can make me more aware of the world around me. I'm glad you are encouraging your children to read as well.
ReplyDeleteoh, how i wish i can bring back my love for books and reading. maybe when my daughter is a little bit older. it's hard to find time now between work and baby sitting.
ReplyDeleteanyhow, i think i need to read something about winning the lottery! heheh :)
Wow, that is really cool.
ReplyDeleteReading is to the mind. Reading a lot will give you an open mind and wisdom. I like reading too.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this post. I really wish I had more time for reading again. Used to always have a book within reach.
ReplyDeleteYou are one of those veracious readers..I just looked that up truthful...I was thinking of someone who is hungry to read. Which ever fits...just like my childhood friend Ginny.
ReplyDeleteThat's irony!! I love it!!
ReplyDeleteAnnMarie-Thanks for following me and showing me your blog. I love your commentary! You have great perspective! I'm following!!
ReplyDeleteThanks and Enjoy your weekend!
~Kris of Cricket Acres Studio
Oh! Great reflection on how art imitates life! I, too, love to read, but find most of my reading these days isn't books, but blogs. :) Learn so much there, too, and many times a person's topic will directly reflect something I am currently experiencing.
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome. And yet, a bit disconcerting . . . considering I just started Arabian Nights. Yikes!
ReplyDeleteWow -- that's scary :) I too LOVE everything about books (plus my daughters are studying to go into publishing!) and I'm just not an e-book person. I rebel -- I want to handle a book, and I especially love OLD books -- you can't seen an inscription from 100 years ago (or you won't at least!) in an e-book!
ReplyDeleteamazing, i guess i read the wrong kind of books (medical stuff, for work...) i need some zombie books ^__^
ReplyDeleteWOW, that is something! So interesting, thanks for sharing :D
ReplyDeleteI wish I was able to read more, I used to LOVE it! I'd stay up all night reading sometimes :D Hopefully once the twins get older I can get back to it!
It is funny how often things like that seem to happen. However, as I am reading The Saltmarsh Murders I hope for no real life parallel!
ReplyDeleteThat is unreal! What a coincidence. I am a huge reader as well. Right now I am reading The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. It's a bit on the slow side, but I am still enjoying it. On a related note, that is why I love blogging so much. I love to read!
ReplyDeleteJenna
callherhappy.com
This is so true! I enjoy reading and don't read enough. My husband has been learning about stocks and he reads aloud to me. When I'm shopping I think about the products that I'm buying because hubby has taught me so much about so many companies. Very cool post!
ReplyDeleteI really like this for a lot of reasons but mostly because I love reading and talking about whatever I'm sucked into at the time. And I also look for sightings in my life when I'm reading a particular subject matter. My life sometimes begins to resemble the theme of the book. Scary, I know. I get sucked in.
ReplyDeleteI find this happens to me, too! It is the wildest thing. Sometimes I wonder if it is simply that I notice related themes to what I am reading because I am focused on the book and topic. Very interesting!
ReplyDelete~Jess
I loved to read before the boys were born. I can't remember the last time I read a book from cover to cover. These days, blogging and Pinterest have taken up all my precious leisure time!
ReplyDeleteGreat post as always!!
beautiful story. i like how you convey your message in a little passage.
ReplyDeleteI better quite reading murder mysteries. I do love to read and it is amazing how much you can learn from most any book and apply it to your life.
ReplyDeleteAre you reading a book about Marx or His Communist manifesto? Very interesting and scary stuff. Scary because our government is on that path.
ReplyDeleteYou did a great thing by buying that book!
ReplyDeleteDon't Call Me Fashion Blogger
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Great Post, I'm an avid reader also. New follower here
ReplyDeleteyou always have such great posts! i really want to get more into reading again!
ReplyDeletexo TJ
Reading? What is that? Does reading children's books count as reading, since that's all I have time to read nowadays and that's for my child.
ReplyDeleteOkay I have to admit that I have never thought about it that way. Interesting. sandie
ReplyDeleteI think it just heightens your awareness.
ReplyDeleteWe are avid book lovers here. I love to read and love having a house full of books for the kids to enjoy. Computers are great but nothing beats a good book!
ReplyDeleteLove books too! My daughter has also begun reading on a regular basis and also loves it. I can't wait until she is old enough to read chapter books. I think reading helps with your vocabulary too! Thank goodness for Kindles & Nooks with the built in dictionary.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Charmed Life Chronicles. I'm now following you.
It's amazing how whatever I'm reading turns out to be relevant. It's uncanny really! I also share a love of books. And I will hold onto my books even though I know everything will go digital. I will have the last library left!
ReplyDeleteI love books too. Am with you all that still like the feel of real books. That is interesting your connection with books and real life.
ReplyDeleteOh goodness...I have that happen too. Just get to reading a book and all of a sudden you can see what the author is talking about...sometime centuries or decades later, isn't it amazing? Karl Marx is on my to-read list. Right now I am trying to keep up with my voracious readers-to make sure if there are significant issues that we are talking about them.
ReplyDeleteoh ! what thoughtful mean to measure time and life. and yes, things are probably only beginning to get difficult.
ReplyDeleteover a year i guess, that i spend more money on books and tea, than for clothes ;) please have a good new week ahead.
Interesting.
ReplyDeleteI love books & reading too! Love to get lost in the story and into their lives and when the book is done I miss them dearly :) Thanks for the follow! Following you back ;)
ReplyDeletejulesgoesgreen.blogspot.com