When I was young, the term “book worm” described me best. I read and read and read. I read at night (sometimes with a flashlight), during the day, instead of going outside and in the car going anywhere. I don’t remember at what age it started and I don’t remember at what age it trailed off but I know I read every book I could from the Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, Tom Swift, Sugar Creek Gang, The 
Three Investigators, and The Black Stallion. I’m sure I’m leaving some out. From there I graduated to other SciFi books and dabbled in some Tom Clancy, Patricia Cornwell and John Grisham.
But I have to admit, I don’t read many fictional books any more. And as a matter of fact, I don’t think I could be called a book worm any longer either.
I do love to read still and will read an occasional fiction book but most books I read these days are either educational or spiritual formation in nature.
I am curious if you read, do you tend to read more in one category or another? Reading should spread across the three categories of entertainment, educational and spiritual formation for a well balanced intake.
So what consumes your time instead of reading more (or at all)? Here are some things on my list in no particular order:
- Work
- Household work
- Church/volunteer work
- Internet
- TV/Movies
Incidentally the next National Reading day is March 2, 2009 which also happens to be my birthday along with Dr. Seuss‘. If you would like, you can buy me a book.
Let me end with saying if you don’t read, you only know what you know, and in my case, it isn’t always very much.
I don’t read as much as I should, but I do read way more than I want to. I never get around to much entertainment, though. It’s mostly leadership and spiritual discipline. I do not like reading, so I find my entertainment elsewhere.
Nancy Drew?! I can understand Hardy Boys.
While I know this post is from over a year ago, I had to make a comment about what my wonderful non-fiction reading husband had to say.
I personally read both Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys and enjoyed them both. If it is a good mystery story it should appeal to both boys and girls, and both of these did when I was young.
I’m still a bookworm, and read mostly for relaxation. Give me a good fiction book and I can escape for hours if I let myself. Sometimes you need an escape from your own problems for a while so you immerse yourself in someone elses.
I do agree that we need to balance our reading and that for me is always a challenge, given my wonderful bookworm tendencies.
YES! When I was a kid any mystery book hooked me and I didn’t care if the main character was a girl. Maybe that is why I liked them…hmmm.
I still don’t read many fiction books because I tend to not put them down until I’m finished with them (like you state, they allow for the escape). Just like when I was a kid. I do think to some extent books have been replaced by the Internet but that is a different post.
I probably read more now (in the past year or so) than I have in many years. Wouldn’t put myself back in the bookworm category though.