Need a Better Break from the World? Reach for a Book
By Sandy Schroeder
All of us have little tricks to catch our breath and keep our balance in today’s world, but books may be a surprisingly effective way to escape.
In a busy world that jerks my attention back and forth, from work to family to social events, books can wind up on the bottom of the pile. My laptop and smartphone await, and off I go spinning through another day. If that sounds too familiar, you might consider taking a “book break.”
- Go to the library with your kids
- Join a book club
- Spend an hour browsing your local bookstore
- Try Kindle and read on your tablet
- Listen to audiobooks as you drive
Each time my electronic/work/family/social groove becomes too deep, I remember to climb out and make contact with the real world as I head off to the library and the bookstore. Later, I return with way too many books, but the rewards are immeasurable.
I was reminded of the richness of benefits in books when I spotted Ron Charles’s commentary in the Washington Post, “Feeling discouraged about the state of the world? Drop in on a book club?” His experiences attending a local book club discussion remind me of my favorite book clubbers.
I have a dear friend who is a powerhouse and runs a successful business with her husband, but she always finds time for her book club. She devours the latest assigned book, and often hosts the discussion. Later, she will tell you how much she learned that she would have completely missed if this book had not shown up in her book club.
That kind of spark, interaction and enthusiasm is often lost in today’s world, but it’s easy to relight the fire. Just choose a book path and enjoy.
Relight the Fire
Remember what it was like to curl up by the fire, or under a tree, and just read to your heart’s content. If that’s a little hard to pull off in your busy world, you may need some “book getaways.” In the same way you make room for a yoga class or wilderness walk, find time to read before you go to bed, early in the morning before everyone gets up, or on a lazy vacation near the water. In my book, it’s all good.
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