I don't know about all of you, but there are just some times in my life when I want nothing more than to curl up under a big, warm blanket with a great book in my hands. I could have several other, often more time-sensitive, things I should be doing, but I would gladly push them all aside just to get in some quality time with my books. This is exactly how I spent the past weekend actually. Instead of working on my homework or doing any of my other daily chores, I dedicated my time to reading a soon-to-be-due 380 page library book between the start of the Cubs game Saturday night and leaving for school again Sunday afternoon. I hadn't been able to read for pleasure since school started, so to say I was excited to be reading again, especially since it was one of my favorite authors, is an understatement.

It's just that with all of the new media/technology innovations and the hustle and bustle of college life, it's hard for me to find the time and motivation to read at times. I'm either stuck doing mountains of writing and reading homework or wasting away my time on the Internet, another one of my favorite pastimes. All these distractions mixed with my inability to ever pick a new book to start often cause me to go through some reading draughts. And whenever I go through any significant amounts of time without reading, it's easy to forget how much I love the activity. It's not until I'm 300 pages in at 3am and still wanting to keep going that I realize how much I really do miss reading. No amount of homework or distractions from the Internet could ever fill the void left by all the books I wasn't reading.

I know in my heart that nothing will ever be able to replace the sense of joy or enlightenment (or any of the other emotions) I feel when I am reading. There is no substitute for being so wrapped up in the story, characters, and ideas/insights of a book that stay up to all hours of the night (and in my case, consider not showering) just so you can read one last chapter. It's almost inevitable, really. Books simply have such a way of drawing you in that they can't be compared with other forms of entertainment. Being able to connect with someone else's words, thoughts, and feelings written on a page is just so comforting, rewarding, and enriching. Each and every reader can have their own personal, unique, and possibly profound experience, and all by reading the same book. It's truly amazing.

What makes reading even better (at least for me) is that it is the perfect activity to do in any number of situations. If there's bad weather or you just don't feel like going outside, you can read. If you're alone and looking for something to do, you can read. If you're not alone but still don't want to talk to anyone, you can read. If you're just looking for some adventure and an escape from your everyday life, you can read. There are literally so many different ways, times, and places for you to read, all you need is your book, yourself, and a little imagination. Throw in that blanket I mentioned earlier and you've got yourself the makings of a great day (or weekend in my case).

I could go on and on about why I believe nothing beats reading a good book, but I'd rather keep this short so that you have enough time to go out and read an actual book.