I couldn’t have made it through childhood or adolescence without books. My mind would have imploded and I would have died of boredom-driven insanity. I am positive of it.
So understand how hard it is for me to wrap my brain around the concept that some people don’t read, don’t have books of their own, don’t experience the wonderful, life-saving, soul-igniting awe that I have found in a story.
I’m a better person because I read. Maybe I’m a more arrogant person because I read, but I’m thinking we all would be better people if we read. Our children would be better people, too. Because books expand you. They expand your vision and your imagination and your command of language. Those that read have more tools in their mental toolbox with which to communicate.
That’s why I’m on the board of my parish library (in Louisiana we have parishes instead of counties-most readers know this, right?). I am very proud to be an official Friend of the Library. I am also excited and hopeful that I will be picked to distribute books for World Book Night.
You, too, can help the world improve. Volunteer at your local library or to be a part of your community literacy efforts. Go here : http://www.us.worldbooknight.org/ and apply to distribute books. Give a single book to your nephew or your grandchild or a complete stranger. No effort is too small. They all count. They all add up. They all make a better, perhaps even a saner, world.
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