Eat to Live, Live to Read

I get paid to read. Well, not directly paid to read, but as a literature teacher, I read in order to do my job. Who knew I could get paid to read and talk about reading? Certainly, when I was a little girl, escaping into worlds past, present, and imaginary, I could not have dreamed up this gig! I wanted to be a librarian. Librarians, by definition, tell people to shush. Literature teachers urge people to talk about reading. I like my job.

A few weeks ago, I participated in the Birmingham Reads day, as I have done for four years. Once again, I was at Hemphill Elementary, this time with second graders. I read a Miss Viola book, and they were all eyes and ears. Their wondrous expressions at discovering what new escapade Miss Viola was on were vivid reminders of the wonder I felt at that age, listening to Mrs. Hill read us Black Stallion books.  A love of reading is established at a young age by great teachers guiding students to fabulous books. Books and I have been traveling companions ever since I was the age of those students.

When I was roaming around BAM tonight, an announcement came over the PA system to remind me that I had only one hour left to browse. What's a girl to do? I had to make a choice, and so I did.  It was hard to choose, but I did it. Now I am eager to go to bed so I can read way past my bedtime, meeting new people and going to new places. I hope this new book is as good as the one I finished reading on the field trip bus trip yesterday: The Secret Life of Bees. It was a wonderful read, and I highly recommend it to all my friends.

With my new book in hand, I walked briskly to my car, and I suddenly realized that it was 8:30 pm and I still hadn't eaten.  I could have spent my money on a good dinner, but a good book and a ham sandwich was all I needed. Food keeps me alive; books keep me excited about being alive!

Bon appetit, bookworms of the world!