Headphones On

I like to read.

Yes, there I've said it. I read. A lot. On top of the magazines that show up in my mail every week I read literature, sociology, mysteries, history, design books, etc (and I can't forget the Sunday morning thrill of ripping into the Tribune Magazine). I'm actually keeping track of how many books I read this year in an effort to hit 52 (that's a book a week eh?). Yes, I'm that nerdy but wasn't that already obvious? I've loved to read since I was a kid when part of my thrill was the ability to make a diorama instead of writing a silly book report.

Part of my love of reading now can directly be associated with BookCrossing. I know I've talked about this before but BookCrossing has changed my life.

For years now I have always carried a book in my bag. Now that book in my bag has gained a second purpose (like my furniture I'm trying to make everything in my life dual purpose now I suppose). Now I not only have the thrill of finishing a new book but I have the thrill of discovery. I leave the books where I finish them. I've finished a book over my salad at lunch, well why don't you just stay right here on this cafe table? I've finished a book on the el... that empty seat the freed up after Belmont makes the perfect perch.

I love the idea of not only spreading the wealth of knowledge (or more likely silly paperbacks) but the idea of discovery by a stranger. Having a bad day... well look here someone left you a book to chase away those storm clouds.

Not every book I leave on random park benches or newspaper boxes has made it's way into the hands of someone who has logged it, but the few books that have traveled around the world have completely made my day. I left Lamb on an el train one afternoon and the book made it's way to NYC somehow and was last spotted on a bus in Dublin, Ireland.

Books are a joy to me so I love to share the smiles. Be they in Texas or Ohio it makes my heart leap that someone somewhere is making use of something that would normally just sit on a shelf in my living room.