Same. Even if reading about a certain subject/experience doesn't change my mind about it, it definitely opens and expands my mind.

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Carla!

I always feel calmer and happier with a book in my hands!

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Lydia!

Right? I am literally never bored!

Thanks for stopping in, Lucy!

Ha ha. I've never understood people who don't read. What is THAT about?? On the other hand, I'm always drawn to other readers, even if they're complete strangers, like you said. Book people get me in a way others don't!

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Sam!

One of these days, my kids are going to see the light instead of complaining about being bored all the time. I always have lots of solutions for what they can do to entertain themselves: scrub toilets, pull weeds, wash dishes, clean their rooms...Reading is definitely the best choice here!

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Lindsey!

Exactly! Doctors always apologize for long waits, but it doesn't bother me at all, just gives me more time to read.

Thanks for popping in, Anne!

Right? What would that even look like? I can't picture it at all...

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Carol!

I'm always amazed by how a really skilled writer puts words together to create passages that are beautiful, evocative, inspiring, etc.

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Sam!

Thanks, Lark! It was fun to visit your neck of the woods :)

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting!

Yep. Me too. I tote a paper book and/or my Kindle everywhere I go. In a pinch, I use the Kindle app on my phone - I don't really like reading on such a tiny screen, but needs must!

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Helen!

Yes! I hadn't even thought about that, but reading is a great way to learn foreign words and phrases. I often end up looking them up so I can hear how they're pronounced.

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Marilyn!

Utah is a lovely state! I've been through most of it and it's got some really beautiful scenery - unique rock formations, dramatic canyons, majestic mountains, lush forests, etc. We tend to visit the same towns both because of nostalgia (my husband and I met while in college in Utah, plus both of us have ancestors who helped settle the state) and because we have lots of family who live there.

I love what you said about book blogging. I agree 100 percent. It's sometimes hard to find your people in real life - thank goodness for the book blogosphere!

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Greg!

LOL. I saw a lot of the same responses, but that's because the reading experience is so universal for us book people. That's why I love it!

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Cindy!

Great minds think alike!

Thanks for stopping by, Leah!

I've ditched the blankie (well, okay, it's in a box somewhere) and the thumb-sucking, but I'll never give up my comfort books!

Thanks for dropping by, Wendy!

And so true! Although I do love that I don't have to buy all the books I read. Thank goodness for the library and generous publishers who send me free books. I'd be in the poorhouse for sure if I didn't have those resources!

Thanks for coming by, Lectrice!

I used to watch a lot more tv, but it got to feel like such a waste of time. Reading seems more purposeful, at least to me. Plus, the less time I spend watching tv, the more time I have to read!

Thanks for stopping in, Cheryl!

Thank you! I think all bookish people can relate to them :)

Thanks for popping by, Pam!

It's important to find your tribe and I'm so glad I've found mine!

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting!

It really does thrill me to find beautiful passages in a book. I just love the way words can come together in such gorgeous ways!

Thanks for popping in, James!

I'm very happy to have you as part of my tribe, Marianne :) It's always fun to find a like-minded friend who has so much in common with you!

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting!

It's like seeing a good friend.

I'm sure it made my mom very happy! I definitely love seeing my kids with books in their hands. I remember being in the grocery store one time with my older daughter who was maybe 10 at the time. She was so engrossed in her book that she bumped into a lady. When I apologized to the woman, she said, "No worries at all! I'm just so glad to see a child reading." Amen to that.

Thanks for stopping in, Kat!

Utah really is a lovely state. I've been trying to convince my husband to move back for years!

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Deb!

Right? Reading has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I can't imagine NOT reading!

Thanks for stopping in, Louise!

I'm so much more me when I'm with bookish people :)

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Tanya!

Agreed. There are readers in my family, but it's awesome to be connected to the wider world of readers via the Internet and things like book club.

Thanks for stopping in, Lex!

Good point. My reasons for reading definitely vary by year, month, even the day. Sometimes I'm reading to learn something, sometimes for distraction from difficult real-life problems, sometimes to laugh, sometimes to be swept away...it just depends. I agree - books do it all!

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Ethan!

Yes! That's how it is for me too. Words are so fun, aren't they?

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Sammie!

Right? I just don't get it when people say reading is boring. Apparently, they're just not reading the right books!

Thanks for stopping in, Jawahir!

I think everyone's reasons were pretty much the same, which just goes to show how universal the reading experience is!

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Katherine!