Reading isn't for everybody. It takes a lot of patience and motivation to sit down and open up a book. There are always those kinds of people who you tell you about the current book they are reading. If this sounds familiar, you're probably the one with your nose constantly in a book. I am one of those people myself. When it comes to reading a story, I get so into it that I can vividly imagine what's been written, almost like there's a personal movie being shown just for me.
As a reader, there's one question that we get almost on a daily basis: "What's your favorite book?" When I hear this, there are a few things that go through my mind, and I have a feeling I'm not the only one who has these thoughts too.
1) "What books have I even read?" When I'm asked what my favorite book is, I suddenly go blank. It's like I've never even picked up a book before in my entire life. I've read so many books, enjoyed so many stories, that when asked to pick a favorite I can't even think of one of my favorites because I've loved so many.
2) "Can I pick a favorite for each genre?" I don't know about you, but I like books that range from fantasy, to mystery, and even historical fiction. If you're asking me to pick a favorite, you'd better expect me to list off one for each type of story I've ever read.
3) "Are you really asking me this question?" Sometimes it baffles me when people ask me what my favorite book is. Do you know how many books I've read since I was a kid? I sure don't. I may have finished my fifth book just this week. When I'm asked this question, I have to think back years to remember some of the books I've read.
4) "I don't have a favorite, I love all books." If I truly had a favorite book, I would probably just read that one over and over. I have to read as many books as I possibly can to truly find my favorite one. Sure, there might be a book I go back and read on a regular basis, but it could be just because I really like it. It doesn't automatically make it my favorite book.
5) "That's like asking which of your children is your favorite!" Sometimes it feels very unfair when people ask me what my favorite book is. I can get very attached to some books, but I can't pick just one favorite. When you get attached to reading and someone asks you which is your favorite, you feel like you're being asked which of your children is your favorite. That's not very fair, is it?
Reading is a lot of fun, and discovering new stories is one of my favorite parts about it. I've learned about so many different concepts and ideas about life that I don't remember if I thought of them myself or if I read them somewhere. Yes, it's true that I have the books I think about more often and remember more than others. However, that doesn't mean that I enjoyed the other books I read any less, and I still won't be able to pick favorites. Even if we can think of a favorite book, there's always that mini heart attack moment after hearing this question. We readers see the beauty in each story we read, even if we don't like it as much as others. How could we ever choose a favorite?
