The way it works is that most of us literate types have to find time to read.  Those of us who are natural readers consume print at an alarming rate if allowed to do so by job, family responsibilities and natural curiosity about what is going on in the world. I found out a long time ago that I HAD to read.  I also know that there are friends in certain books that I long to go back to again and again and I indulge picking them up in preference to the new and untried despite what the Reviews say.

I noticed that since I found myself able to read through Rose Mary’s manuscript about Spies in the Holy Land and finish it, sending her a list of my notes and returning the pages she sent me, I have time not only to revisit old friends and begin to empty shelves that have held books thrust up there to read later and the library tomes Carol brings home after having reserved those that have caught her attention or that I feel I ought to read.  I am especially good at finishing off pot-boilers, mysteries, and books about mushy love requited, unrecognized and otherwise.  I can go through one of these in one day especially if I feel that I’d like to laze about rather than go out and do the things that have to be done.

I also noticed that I can, once again, read two or three books – one at a time – but keeping the book marks in place although the books are scattered through the apartment. We also HEAR another book that is on tape while we drive distances in the car. A book that is well written or performed on tape or CD is to be treasured and our dearest wish is for it not to be finished so soon.  Carol also makes an issue of savoring the last couple of pages of her involvement in fictitious lives.

Do you have the facility that Rose Mary obviously has of reading non-fiction? I used to use my allotment of pages to get ahead of the class by taking a scholarly book to bed with me.  It is better than a pill and will put you to sleep in minutes.

But, what this essay is about is ‘time looking for reading’.  Some of us will take a book into the necessary room or put it on the table while we are eating.  I notice the solitary eaters in restaurants keep the company of a book next to their plates.  Books make good companions – sometimes better than people.

Now, here is the “why” of ‘time looking for reading’.  I reversed the usual condition of reading where time for other things goes begging.  Even while teaching, running the Faculty Union and raising two boys I read at least one book a day and found that I could finish off a new Clive Cusler while standing at the display of books during a couple of lunch hours. My reading is more important than the other jobs I need to do. TV has lost its attraction and talk radio is frightening, but books are what distinguish thinkers from all others.