I've been doing a lot of thinking about books and the role that they play in my life. I have been thinking about why I have always turned to books as a form of solace, release, rejuvenation, exploration, connection and healing. In my family, reading was and continues to be the norm but in the greater social circle that I'm part of, I am a bit of a weirdo.
Imagine this; I’m up at the cottage and while everyone else is up late drinking, partying, playing cards or munching on leftovers while razzing each other, I'm off to bed early with a flashlight in one hand, my handy dandy earplugs and a book in my lap ready to dive right into it and leave the world behind.
Nerdy? Yes. But, totally me? Absolutely.
And I won't apologize for it.
I now know that part of the reason why books are such a huge part of my life is because, at my deepest core, I am most certainly an introvert (something I learned of course, by reading a book!). I am an introvert who has become really, really good at passing as an extrovert. Heck, working in a job that requires me to be extroverted almost the entire day (thank you teaching). After a day of playing the part and living in a world that won't let me be be quiet and spend time on my own (because in an extroverted world, that's weird) books have been my excuse to exist in my truest form.
To be alone and quiet in my own thoughts while in conversation with a listener who is doing all the talking is to read a really great book.
I know this might seem weird. But I'd rather enjoy my weird ness and let the ink on the pages speaks to my heart than be a normal person pretending not to be who they truly are.
p.s. If, my dear readers you are wondering what book I read that helped me come to terms and accept that I am truly an introvert, try reading Susan Cain's Quiet! The Power Of Introverts in a World That Cant's Stop Talking. It's in my top 10 of biblio-therapeutic books that helped me figure out things in my life.
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