A World Without Books ...

... is a world I can't imagine and wouldn't want to live in.  Even though I spend most of my work day reading newspapers and websites, I want - no, need - to spend at least a few minutes (if not more) reading for pleasure.

I get so much from reading books - they feed my imagination, and they make me think, laugh and/or cry.  They also cause envy sometimes (over the talent of such amazing writers whom I would love to be like but I don't see myself coming up with the tales they do).  All that from something that comes in one pretty package.  One of the good things about Bruce being so busy in recent weeks is that I've had plenty of time to read in the car while waiting for him to finish work.  I don't go anywhere without a book these days.

I've managed to make my way through quite a few books in the last few months, and will slowly be building a list in case anyone is interested.  I've started with a "Currently Reading" list that I'll update as I move down the pile of books beside my bed, and am also going to create a "Recommended Reading" section.  Let me know if you have any books you want to add to that list - I am always on the lookout for books to read.  Perhaps I'll also add a "Just Finished This, Stay Away!" list if I happen to come across something bad (although that's doubtful, because it has only rarely happened in the past and I'm becoming choosy about what I buy these days).

A couple of books I read in France in July made their way to Singapore, thanks to a certain niece of mine, so if I forget the titles, I hope she'll nudge my memory by leaving them in the comments section.

As far as possible, I'll try to link the titles to either a review of the book or some sort of summary/background, as I have done for the two in my "Currently Reading" list.  One of the marvels of the computer age that I intend to make the most of, since I either won't have time to write a review myself or have found someone who can do a much better job.

I will try to get back to borrowing books from the library instead of always buying them, where possible, but buying books has long been my weakness (I buy books the way some people buy shoes).  The reason for that is two-fold - I want to have my own little library in my house, filled with my favourites that I can return to at any time, and I want to support the writers I love by purchasing their books instead of only borrowing a copy from a library.  I am a huge fan of libraries and don't ever want the world to be without them, but I want to have my own.  Even if I borrow a book from a library, I'll probably end up buying a copy for myself if I like it enough.