Reading A Really Good Book

‘Kill all the Bluejays you want, if you can hit ’em, but remember, it’s a sin to kill a Mockingbird.’ – Atticus Finch, ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ by Harper Lee.

Highs and lows when reading…

The most recent book I read was ‘The Hunger Games’. Loved it. Couldn’t put it down. And you know those sorts of books where you think about them for ages afterwards as well? It was one of those. So I downloaded the second and third books in the trilogy. The second book was alright. It was not as great as the first, but still had some magic. The third book was rubbish! So disappointing!

I was sad that the trilogy had started so strongly and gone so rapidly downhill.By the time I’d finished the third book, I had fallen out of love with the entire trilogy. So I went to see the film. And fell back in love with the first book again. Thank goodness. It’s not often a film is as good as the book, but in this case, I can safely say that it was. Nothing like the debacle of the Harry Potter movies. Those books are amazing but the films are awful (without exception).

I’ve always had a love of reading.

Growing up, my family didn’t have a TV. My sisters and I read more because of that. I have a TV now and definitely don’t read as much as I used to! I used to read anything and everything. My favourite books were the Famous Five series by Enid Blyton and the Saddle Club stories by Bonnie Bryant. At least, those are the books that really stick in my memory, or is that just because I read them over and over again?

A particular favourite when we were much smaller was another book by Enid Blyton. It was called ‘Three Naughty Brownies’ but we largely called it ‘Hop, Skip and Jump’ after the main protagonists in the book. It was a thrilling story about three brownies who were so naughty, they got banished from Fairyland and from there on in got into all sorts of trouble! Somehow, they always triumphed and they always managed to get out of a tight spot. Finally, they returned to Fairyland as heroes after rescuing the princess. My sisters and I loved that book so much that we got Dad to read it to us on an almost weekly basis. I think he knew the book so well in the end that he didn’t really even have to read it, but could recite it off the top of his head!

I read less these days…

As I mentioned, I don’t read as much anymore. Life has taken over, pushing reading down my list of priorities. I read ‘The Hunger Games’ because I had three-four hours to kill on a train to London. I drive to work so can’t read on my commute. When I lived in London for six months last year, I read a book a week. It was easier – I had time to kill on the train to work each day! Nobody ever talks on the tube. Or makes eye contact. Everyone is too busy minding their own business!

When I do read, I tend to pick up a magazine or newspaper or read online these days. Quick reads, something to sink my teeth into for half an hour and then discard. Disposable literature. I suppose there’s nothing wrong with that, but from time to time I do get a twinge of vague guilt that I don’t read as much anymore.

I like different books now I’m an adult.

My favourite book of all time is To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. I’ve read it time and again and I always learn something new. It is a classic – beautifully written, clever, poignant, educational and perfect. I even have a tattoo with Atticus’ words ‘Remember, it’s a sin to kill a Mockingbird’. The characters are almost real to me, I love Scout and Jem as if they were my own siblings. It’s a stunning novel. I’d urge everyone who hasn’t already read it to get a copy and read it as soon as possible. It’s a life changer!

Other favourites include On Chesil Beach by Ian McEwan, Birdsong by Sebastian Faulkes and A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson. I love all these books for very different reasons. They’re all strong books. They are well-written and portals to other worlds and other lives. These books are my chance to experience life through someone else’s eyes.

Good books stay with you.

Good books do that. They stick in your mind, and you remember them long after you’ve put them down. They become your friends, your advisers, they help you through tough times. Read the right book at the right time and maybe something life changing could happen. My housemate read The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho last week. Now, she’s going abroad for six months. And quite of a lot of the reason why she’s going is because of that book and the words written inside inspiring her to go.

So while I go and get my well-thumbed copy of ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ for the fiftieth time, I suggest you go and do the same. Pick up your favourite book and pause to remember why you love it. Then immerse yourself in it all over again. I know you want to….

NB: This post was updated on 10th May 2020. Now in my early thirties, I’ve rediscovered my love of reading and am currently averaging 4-5 books read per month. You can read more about my 2018 Reading Challenge which kick started my love of reading again and this review on a year of reading as well.