It’s a bit too simplistic to say that I love to read.  Reading is not a hobby for me; it is a way of life.  Since learning to read as a child I can think of no period of life since when I have not been reading a book.  When one book is finished a new book must be started.  That’s just the way the system works.

My wife even bought me a T-shirt with a John Steinbeck quote on it that says, "I guess there are never enough books…"

Part of the joy of reading is finding yourself in the midst of a discovery.  You open the pages, you explore through words and images the world(s) that those pages hold, and you discover new insights into these unique characters and their lives.  If the book is really good you also gain new insight into yourself and the world around you.

Besides the pleasure of reading itself, I also enjoy when a book finds me.  Sounds mystical, huh?  What I mean by this is that there are times when you stumble upon a book (out of the blue) that connects with you in a deep way.  Maybe you find yourself lost in the pages; maybe you find emotions stirred within you that you never knew were there; maybe you laugh or cry or feel disturbed or wonder.  Whatever the sensation; it is an unexpected and profound experience. 

I love this. 

For me, being found by a book is a treasured experience that does not often happen.  I define this experience in a narrow way.  It is best when you didn’t know about the book at all before you picked it up.  A friend didn’t recommend it; it wasn’t on the New York Times Bestseller List; and it wasn’t one that Amazon.com persuaded you to buy because of another similar purchase. 

This is an important point because when you have heard something about a book you are already bringing your own preconceived ideas and expectations into the experience.  That doesn’t mean you can’t like a book that you’ve heard about–but the element of surprise, discovery, and revelation has been tainted–its less pure (from my Adrian Monk-ish sort of perspective.)

Having the book find you is a very random event like pushing a shovel in the ground and unearthing a sunken pirate treasure.  A book that really finds you is special because of the myriad of books that won’t find you or connect with you on a deep level.  I think it is an unforgettable event.

The most memorable book that ever found me was J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit.  I remember being a middle-schooler checking out the book selection at the Fort Myers Beach public library.  Right there on the shelf was this large illustrated edition of Tolkien’s classic tale of hobbits, dwarves, elves, and men.  I remember being fascinated by the mythical-looking pictures.  In the narrow (nursing home smelling) rows of the young adult section, I read the first few sentences and paragraphs. As soon as I was introduced to Gandalf the wizard it was like, "you had me at hello."  I was sold.  I read, and I read, and I read.  I couldn’t get enough of this world and its characters.

What’s amazing to me now, looking back on it, is that I had never heard of the book.  I was a "library rat"–I grew up in libraries.  I was already an avid reader by this time.  And yet Master Tolkien had somehow evaded my literary radar.  No teacher had mentioned him.  His books were never ear-marked or prominently displayed in the libraries I frequented.  The book was unknown…

And yet the book found me. 

What a discovery.  If any book has altered the world of my imagination and deepened certain aspects of my literary experience it is that book and its epic sequel (The Lord of the Rings).  I was sucked into Middle Earth and I’m still not certain that I’ve come back from the Grey Havens.  I am not sure what heaven will be like, but to this day I am very hopeful that it will somehow involve killing Orcs, eating lembas by an open fire while listening to elvish songs, and hailing the Return of the true King.  To this day I find myself envying those fortunate few who are just reading these Tolkien books for the first time because I remember how rich the first-read experience was for me.

Anyway, I know this sounds a bit melodramatic, but what can I say?  Some people collect stamps, other people crochet mittens, and still others ride low-rider bicycles for kicks.  For me, it’s waiting for compelling books to find me.

The question is:  what book(s) has found you?*

*no spiritual brownie pts will be given for saying The Bible, but if you feel so inclined feel free