Never judge a book by its cover.

As a self-proclaimed writer, I should love books, right? Well as stereotypical as it is, you would be correct. I mean what writer have you heard of that doesn't read? That is like saying a meteorologist doesn't check his weather app or a teacher doesn't continue to learn. But I digress.

I have always felt comfortable with a book in my hand. Now I will be the first to admit I do not read nearly enough anymore. Not for pleasure that is. A graduate student is never free from reading assignments, unfortunately. To me, something about diving into the pages of a new book takes me to a place beyond reality for a moment.

As this past year can attest, life is messy. It is unfair and ugly at times, but reading is almost like an escape. You can be anywhere. Be anything. A pirate in Neverland. A detective investigating the latest crime in New York. Or even a chef in a Michelin star kitchen. I love that.

I love being able to imagine myself as someone else for a moment. The childlike wonder and mystery trapped in those pages of black and white text have saved me on more than one occasion. That is one of the reasons I chose journalism as a career. I want to one day be the person to help someone find peace, even if just for a few hours. I want someone to read what I write and relate or connect in some way.

In this world of hustle and bustle, eat or be eaten, it is so hard to feel like you belong or believe someone out there understands you. One of my favorite places to be growing up was the library. I know, I know, NERD ALERT! Yes, I am a book nerd and happy to claim that title.

I remember one time I was visiting my grandparents in Georgia and my grandmother told me that a local library was downsizing and had to get rid of a lot of older books to make room for new ones. You can imagine my excitement! I loved that day. I don't know about you, but the smell of an old book brings me so much joy. I love to imagine the people who turned those pages. I walked away from that library with some poetry books that I still read from time to time.

My mother got me really into antiquing and exploring those little nooks of forgotten treasures. I know I am beginning to sound old, but I have always prided myself on having an old soul. I go to the local antique shops at times just to get away. My favorite thing to look for in those shops is. . . you guessed it! Old books. You know the ones with the torn spine and worn pages? Yes, those! Imagine where that book has traveled, where it came from, what shelf it sat on at some point. The endless possibilities!

This is one of my favorite spots in my room. I have always had a bookshelf tucked away in a corner. However, the two shelves you see here are my favorites. This is a collection of antique books I have collected over the years. Poetry books, old English texts, and older copies of some of my favorite books, like Les Miserables.

That old saying, "never judge a book by its cover," rings true in the literal and metaphorical sense of life. You truly don't know what story is waiting to be told until you turn that first page.

Much as is life. You have to take that first step before you know what path you are taking. It's nerve-wracking and so exciting. There are plot holes, climaxes, conflicts, and resolutions. Sound familiar?

Reading is so much more than just sitting and staring at some words. Though some, like my brother and sister, would argue otherwise. I know it is not for everyone and that is completely acceptable. This is just something that means a lot to me as an individual.

Think about it. Someone took their time to meticulously plan and create something for someone else. Isn't that crazy? I'm sure in a sense someone's writing is for them, but what is a writer without readers? There are so many authors that I admire and take inspiration from. Agatha Christie. Stephen King. James Patterson. Louisa May Alcott. Robert Frost. Edgar Allen Poe. I could go on and on and on. The best part is, I am still discovering new inspirations. New writing styles and storytelling.

I know this post has kind of been a bit of a tangent, but I was really feeling like I should share why reading, writing, and books hold such a special place in my heart. That is why I created this website in the first place. I wanted a place I could share my creations and passions with people. Again, what is a writer without readers?

I hope this inspires someone to grab that old book off the shelf that you bought months or years ago and dust it off. Go sit in your favorite spot. Hang your hammock. Curl up with your favorite blanket. Make your favorite drink and just stop. Stop and let your mind wander to somewhere other than the chaos that is life. Be kind to yourself and take a step into an alternate reality. You'd be surprised how therapeutic it can really be. Happy Friday and happy reading!