I used to be an avid reader.  I read everything I could get my hands on.  Growing up overseas it was the only real entertainment I had.  Books could be hard to find so I wasn’t all that picky.  I read whatever came my way.  As an adult I always had a book going.  I would usually read before bed just to relax and get my mind off things.  People recommended things or gave me things or I would pick something up at the bookstore or library.

After I had my child I stopped reading.  I just didn’t have the time or the energy anymore.  I could not focus on reading at night.  Several years went by and I only read a handful of books.

When I was ready to start reading again, I noticed a shift.  Either the quality books that were coming out had deteriorated considerably or my tolerance level was way down.  I would start books that I thought looked interesting and after a while I would stop reading them and put them back on the shelf.  I just couldn’t be bothered with a book that didn’t really hold my attention.  And sadly many of them didn’t.

In the past couple of years I have started reading again.  I still have problems with books I just can’t finish but I have found some really good ones.  Last year I read the Dragon Tattoo Trilogy in two weeks.  And those are big books.  I couldn’t put them down.

Maybe there is something in the Scandinavian air but I came across another good one the other day, this time out of Norway.  I am writing a memoir and recently I have been trying to read as many memoirs as I can.  In the past two weeks I have started three.  One I doubt I will finish.  Another is interesting and I will probably finish it eventually but it isn’t gripping.  The third one I read in two evenings.  I started it in the evening after work and read until midnight.  I toyed with the idea of taking it to work with me next day since it was on my iPad but decided against it.  I finished it when I got home.

It is a story teller’s story.  Remember The Princess Bride?  My all time favorite movie.  The grandfather comes into the sick boy’s room and starts to read and the boy doesn’t ever want  him to stop.  There are no giants or pirates or six handed men in this book.  But there is love, adventure, confusion, hope, disappointment, challenge, sorrow, contentment, and joy.  All the elements of a good story.  It is about living a life and I am sure most people will find they can personally identify with at least some of the things that happen in Maggies’ life.  I know I could.

Fly Away Home by Maggie Myklebust is a good read.  Put it on your list!