I still love reading and miss that simple joy of picking up a book and not really moving until I've finished the story. Oddly, I don't feel the same way about plays. I'm a horrible play-reader. I find it difficult to imagine the whole world with just the characters' dialogue (and no, stage directions don't help!). I think that's why I love rehearsal - using the script, the actors, designers, and directors get to create the world that the dialogue lives in. They get to make it all up and I find that to be a much more fun & rewarding experience in the company of other creative folks, rather than sitting by myself with some pieces of paper (or a Kindle).
With books, the author has an amazing ability to place you in a world that is already complete. Every detail has been fleshed out - the sounds, the scents, the attitudes of each character. The surprises...I love it all!
I also firmly believe in the power of education to shape the world. I have a little tea tag from some Good Earth tea. I don't know how long ago I consumed the tea, but the tag is still on my bulletin board of 'important' things* and it has on it a Socrates quote:
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."
Books are an EXCELLENT source of knowledge - a great way to learn about and experience parts of the world you've never been to or thought about...an exploration of ideas and relationships and feelings and metaphors. Sigh. I really like books.
Lately, because adulthood, I don't get to read as much as I'd like. Just last month, a friend bought me a book for my birthday and I inhaled it in a 3-day period (just after one show closed, when I had an unexpected night off rehearsal from the next). It was bliss.
Despite not being able to curl up with a cup of tea & a good book quite as often as I'd like, I do still get my 'read' on, with my current obsession with audio books. I download and listen to several books every month (having a day-job isn't always bad). And because the Chicago Public Library is amazing, I am able to do so for FREE. (Audible is great and all, but $15/month? Why?) Plus, what amazingly talented voice over artists. Mad props to folks who can create that entire world of the book just by the power of their voice.
So, today, I'm giving back. As a bonus, I found out that this is the middle of National Library Week! (Who knew this was a thing?!?!). In honor of all these things, I've made a donation to my beloved CPL for $100 (Actually to the Chicago Public Library Foundation) so they can continue to provide books (in all formats) to people (of all ages) for free!
(For more info about National Library Week, you should check out ilovelibraries.org)