"Reading is a basic tool in the living of a good life." Joseph Addison

"Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing." Benjamin Franklin

I once had a conversation with a man I grew to admire a great deal in which he shared with me that he began each day with a book in hand. I had asked about his daily schedule. He told me that seven days a week he arose from his bed at 4:45 am and following his morning ablutions he always began the morning by reading in a good book. Rarely a novel. Instead - something he felt worthwhile and somewhat challenging or enlightening.

Since having that conversation I have tried to follow that example. My choice of reading material each morning is scriptural. I read in the Bible and the Book of Mormon each morning beginning at about 5:10 am and spend most of the next 50 minutes reading, studying, or pondering upon what has been read. The exception is my one weekday off (Thursday) when I read later in the morning. This is my daily habit. I also, usually, have another book or novel that I am reading for enjoyment - though I find that many books have quotations that are thought provoking for me and cause me to consider if there may be application in my life.

I should note that I am a relatively slow reader most of the time. Not for lack of understanding, mind you, but for greater comprehension as well as enjoyment. When a book takes hold of my imagination, capturing my attention then my consumption of nouns and verbs increases dramatically. When a book I have chosen to consume begins slowly to introduce me to the characters and circumstances on its pages I know that something good is usually coming. I patiently bide my time until I find I am caught up and realize that I have been reading for hours without thought of thirst or hunger or other bodily needs. I am amazed at how easily I am drawn into the depths of the characters and their interactions.

"We shouldn't teach great books, we should teach a love of reading." B.F. Skinner

It is probably a good thing that I am married to a librarian. She has a love of reading and of good books of all varieties and shares many of those with me and with our children. I remember many nights listening from the living room as she - after we tucked those children into bed - would sit in the hallway or in one of the bedrooms reading aloud from many wonderful series such as the Ann of Green Gables books, or The Chronicles of Narnia, or many, many others. She brought them to life for all of us (don't tell her I wrote that). Even when I would sit at the kitchen table reading Tom Clancy, or Ayn Rand, or other favorite authors, I would pause to listen and enjoy.

One of our daughters gave me a book for Christmas last year by Mitch Albom titled "the magic strings of Frankie Presto" that sat on the end table in the living room until just recently. What a treasure (so far anyway). There have already been many quotes that have set me to thinking.

“Everyone joins a band in this life. And what you play always affects someone. Sometimes, it affects the world.” 

“All humans are musical. Why else would the Lord give you a beating heart?” 

“The secret is not to make your music louder, but to make the world quieter.” 

“You cannot write if you do not read,” the blind man said. “You cannot eat if you do not chew. And you cannot play if you do not”—he grabbed for the boy’s hand—“listen.” 

And I am certain there will be more to come that will cause me to pause and think. I look forward to what is yet to unfold.

This will likely find its place among those books that I read several times before I am finished with it.

"If one cannot enjoy reading a book over and over again, there is no use in reading it at all." Oscar Wilde.

That is the way it goes when I find a book that makes me think or brings me joy (hopefully both). I'll read it through twice then put it away for a few months and come back to it for a refresher. Then it may sit for a few years as others fill the spaces in my brain until I discover it again. What a great gift is this ability to read.

I love hearing our children sharing their love of a good book with our grandchildren. Very few things fill my heart with joy as fully as listening to a book read aloud in those homes. I know that the rising generation, of this clan, is in good and capable hands.

Enough for today.

Thanks for checking in. More to come soon. See you then.