Reading and Writing

I've been reading the 50 Shades of Grey book series. I wouldn't call them the best written books I've ever read but what I've noticed is the variety of reactions when I confess that I've been reading them. My inner goddess highly approves of my choice of fiction, and I giggle when I recall various scenes, many that made me uncomfortable. I think when a book causes so many people to talk about reading, what emotions and reactions a book caused, it's a good thing. (sorry-sounds a little Martha Stewart-ish)  It reminds me of the conversation I had with the Dean of Student Affairs at my favorite university. They had decided to give each incoming freshman and transfer student a copy of a novel, it happened to be The Hunger Games that year,  to encourage reading and discussion groups. I was skeptical about the outcome, after all-who reads books for fun in college? I never had the time or inclination. However, it was and continues to be an overwhelming success, so much so that the rival university in the same state is following the lead and introduced their own reading program this fall.

When my daughter was in junior high, her 8th grade English teacher discussed with the parents at Back to School night, her passion for encouraging students to write. With the computers and digital age advancing at lightening speed, she talked about her concern that students don't write anymore and 'text talk' was ruining students spelling skills.  Both of my children had the good fortune to have her as their teacher and both kids learned a lot about descriptive writing, poetry and becoming more creative in their thought processes as they wrote down those words.

My mother used to write letters to my grandparents each week. Their return letters were looked for in great anticipation by my parents, anxious to hear about other members of our family, how the land looks (depending on the season)  who is doing what to whom. As I grew older, I wanted to read them too and I grew up reading about people I didn't know and family I rarely saw. I love to read. I love to lose myself in a good story, passing the afternoon in my recliner, beverage of choice at my side. Vacations mean finding a good book. Getting my hair cut and colored means flipping through a magazine while waiting, and when I hear something interesting being mentioned and I have no idea what they are talking about, I perk up and think, 'sounds like a search!' and I'm off to the computer, to read and learn. I am passionate about learning new things and like being able to socialize with people on a variety of topics. I'm not sure anybody at the next office party wants to hear me wax eloquently about 50 Shades of Grey given the subject matter, but being well read does increase your vocabulary and makes you express yourself in a more descriptive manner.

Earlier this week, someone said they had read my blogs. I can't tell you how much that pleased me to hear. Another confided that I had moved her to tears with my own confessions of the heart. Wow-considering my limited literary experience, it meant the world to me that anyone would read my words and that they would evoke an emotion.  Some days I sit here and think-I have nothing to say today that anybody would want to read. Other times, I'm wrestling with a number of topics but can't come up with anything substantial to say about them. Certainly nothing that is 'title worthy'. Thank you, friends, for your faithfulness and kind words.