Shelli from Oklahoma was the winner of the Susan May Warren book–Reclaiming Nick.
Not long ago we celebrated Thanksgiving, Christmas and then the New Year. These are all times that we use to reflect on what we are thankful for. There are a lot of things that I’m thankful for. I could make a whole long list of people and things, but what I want to talk about is how thankful I am for the person who loves to read. Not only am I writer, I am a reader, too. I love to be transported to another place or time. I have been able to experience so many different things because I love to read. It’s a joy to get together with another reader and talk about the latest book I’ve read or a new author I have found.
One of the reasons I write is to entertain others. To do that I need the reader. I am thankful for all the readers out there who share my love for reading books.
Recently on an author loop someone asked if the book as we know it is dying. One person said they hoped not because she loved to hold a book in her hands and smell the paper and ink. Another pointed out the Star Trek series and how they portrayed a person reading a book on a handheld device. What do you think about the future of the book as a reader, as a writer? Will the way we read look different in the near future?
I personally don’t want to listen to a book although audio books are becoming more popular. I am a visual learner. I want to see the printed word. I don’t want to sit at the computer reading a book either. I wouldn’t mind using a handheld device that was easy to use and lightweight, but I don’t want to have to take out a loan to buy one. I think we will get there one day—possibly in the near future—but for me we aren’t there yet. I love holding the book and enjoying the printed page.
So I am thankful for the readers who continue to buy the books I write—others write. They keep alive what I love to do—write and read. If there were no readers, I would have to ask myself what would I be doing.
