For the longest time, I took my friends for granted. Not the ones made of flesh and blood, but the ones with spines and pages. Like any faithful friend, they were always there—always available when I needed them the most.
The first time I truly made friends with a book was when I was about eight. My cousin lent me a stack of Ladybird books, those little hardbound treasures with colourful pages. I fell in love with reading “Cinderella,” marvelling at the beauty of her gowns, “Snow White,” “Goldilocks and the Three Bears,” and my personal favourite, “The Three Billy Goats Gruff.” There was something magical about those Ladybird books that sparked wonder and imagination within me.
As I moved into my teenage years, we relocated to a new place. A kind neighbour lent my sisters and me a stack of Sweet Dreams books (teen romance novels from the 80s). How could I forget “P.S. I Love You” and “Falling in Love Again” by Barbara Conklin, “All is Fair in Love” by Jeanne Andrews, and “Ten Boy Summer” by Janet Quin-Harkin? I must have read and re-read those books a hundred times. They were my friends and solace during my confusing teenage years.
From Sweet Dreams and Sweet Valley High books, I eventually graduated to Mills and Boons, Barbara Cartland novels, and then to an array of adult novels spanning various genres that suited my whims at the moment.
Books are there when I need to de-stress; they teach, comfort, and, in some ways, protect me when the world gets to be too much.
During my university years, a classmate once remarked that the first time he saw me, I was sitting in a corner, engrossed in a book, unaware of what was happening around me. That’s what books are to me—companions that never make me feel alone, taking me everywhere and always being there when I need them. They are gifts that keep on giving.
Books deserve better treatment. They should be kept in good condition and introduced to as many people as possible. Each book holds a world within its pages, a world that can offer friendship, adventure, and comfort. So, let us treat these friends with the respect they deserve and share their wonders with others.
These days, my reading habits are as varied as ever, from children’s books to contemporary fiction, historical novels to spiritual books. Books have been my faithful friends throughout my life. They have taught me, comforted me, and protected me. They have shaped who I am today, and for that, I am eternally grateful. Books are both friends and treasures; let’s share their magic with the world.
May the rest of your year be filled with wonderful books and captivating stories! 💗
Happy reading! 📚
xoxo
Corazon