Recently, a friend said to me "You read books to get away from everything." A bit flustered, I nodded along since she was kind of correct. But later I realized that there is this stereotype that voracious readers read books in order to escape the "suckiness" of everyday life. This could be partly true, but it is mostly horribly wrong.
Book Riot and Quarterly did an awesome job with this quarter's theme of how books, stories, pictures, words, and all that jazz bring about magic. And personally, the theme helped me address the previously mentioned stereotype. I don't read just to escape from the realities of life; I could do that by meeting up with friends, drinking, etc. There's more to reading than that! I read to tap into the magic most non-readers couldn't dare imagine. This connection I have with authors, stories, sentences, and pictures is a passion, not a past-time.
So I'm really really excited to jump into this quarterly box! Despite all the magic floating around I feel like this box of goodies will also ground me in understanding, if not fully, the complexities of reading and the lasting effects of books. These days I've been floating from one story to another, maybe I'll even crack the readers' code to immortality. Just kidding, Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore references anyone?
Without further ado~
#BKR04 in a nutshell
The one and only note from Book Riot! It's also my map to navigate and reference through all the awesomeness.
The first thought that popped into my mind when I flipped through its pages was "Wow book, you really get me!" What We See When We Read is that book I've been searching for without really knowing I've been searching for it. This edition includes personal foot-notes from Peter Mendelsund. Man, I feel special. And there are illustrations! I need more illustrations in my life so this is perfect.
I really like what Book Riot is doing with their Quarterly box genre selections. Last quarter, there were YA, romance, and fantasy books. This quarter The Salinger Contract is a thriller for bibliophiles. I never know what to expect!
These are Literary Quote Prints from Obvious State and I received quotes from F. Scott Fitzgerald and Jorge Luis Borges! My parents think I buy way too many prints for myself, but I guess it's alright as long as I didn't pay for these. Wait, I did pay for these! Then why do they feel like presents... #MyPersonalChristmas
Book goodies! Everybody loves good ol' custom-made stickers, buttons, and bookmarks. But wait, that's not just a bookmark! Its a free e-book, or a code to redeem a free e-book, called Maps and Legends: Reading and Writing Along the Borderlands by Michael Chabon, a series of essays championing story-telling.
And last but not least, a Read Harder water bottle. Yes Book Riot, I shall. I can't wait to whip this out at work tomorrow.
You've been reading so many books Eury!! I'm jealous~ and that stereotype...I totally agree with you, reading stories taps into so many different worlds and perspectives, more people need to appreciate that!! Although lately I feel like I really want to withdraw from some of the suckiness around me, I guess I just have to push forward. Your posts make me feel inspired!! I also want to start subscribing to Book Riot!! I'll have to look into it when I'm back :P ahhh~ I miss talking to you...we should catch up soon!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sabrina! Going further, people tend to think readers as quiet and shy with their head in the clouds. Although partly true, it doesn't change the fact that these are preconceived ideas that thoroughly misjudge a reader's relationship with her books/authors. Anyways, suckiness in your life? You're in Japan woman! But I genuinely hope you're doing well. I know going abroad could be a culture shock... We need to do a complete debriefing once you're back! Thank you again for reading my blog. Many hearts and rainbows~
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