My entire life, I've loved the company of a book. I immerse myself in the world, the characters and I join them on their adventure. As I've grown older, I've found myself preferring this type of adventure to traveling.

I've never been an outdoorsy type person. Of course, when I was little, I'd spend my days outside with my neighborhood friends. But after a certain age, I found myself staying indoors. I'd curl up with a book and read it cover to cover if time allowed it. I'm not entirely opposed to traveling, however. I, like most people, would love to explore new states and countries. However, I prefer reading.

Reading allows you to go on adventures that you'd never be able to go on in real life. I often see quotes and images like this:

I wonder if the people that say these things have ever picked up a book and truly enjoyed it. Books are entirely different worlds filled with curious things. Things that cannot exist in our world. Someone that reads can travel just as much as one who actually goes places, if not more. The world of literature is infinite and new places are always being created.

I've been called boring, stationary, and told that I am not living to my full potential because I read so much. But I feel the most alive when I'm reading; I feel comfortable and challenged at the same time, and I'm learning new things all the while exploring a new world.

Not only are books dynamic, they are also are knowledge and knowledge is power. Books provide different perspectives and offer information on all sorts of different things, and maybe traveling does too, but it seems more like something you have to search for than something that just comes to you.

One thing in common, however, is that both traveling and reading provide an escape. Those who are not content with their lives often seek a book or a new place to enjoy. I've fallen victim to this more than once, using a new and exciting world in literature to escape things in my life for a short time.

Do not judge someone for how they live. If you travel, I hope you have a blast and never give that up, don't let anyone try to control you. If you read, do not let anyone discourage you or shame you for how you live your life.