Booking Through Thursday: Enough About Books

Okay, even I can’t read ALL the time, so I’m guessing that you folks might voluntarily shut the covers from time to time as well… What else do you do with your leisure to pass the time? Walk the dog? Knit? Run marathons? Construct grandfather clocks? Collect eggshells?

Not too long ago one of my coworkers asked me, "Don't you do anything else in your spare time besides read?" I stared blankly at her for several seconds. There has to be more? How else would I be able to travel all over the world and beyond, go on adventures I could never imagine or ones I would never be brave enough to try on my own? Where else, than in a book, could I really get into the psyche of a character so different from me, someone I might never interact with in real life, and not only get to know them, but to walk in his or her shoes for awhile? Why, at the end of the day, reading is all that I need! Maybe. Okay, so not really true. But it could be if I wanted it to be.

Reading and books certainly do make up a good portion of my leisurely time. There is the actual reading, of course, but there are other book and reading related activities I engage in such as journaling my thoughts about what I am reading, writing reviews, discussing books online with my fellow book lovers, making wish lists of books, organizing my books and lists of books, shopping for books, and blogging about books. So, I suppose it is not so difficult to understand why someone might think all I ever do is read.

My work days are often hectic and crisis-filled. I tend to prefer my home life to be much more quiet and relaxed as a result. My favorite pastimes reflect that. I enjoy listening to music and singing, much to the chagrin of anyone around me when I decide to really belt out a tune. I just cannot help myself. Then there is writing. I love to write. Writing is like breathing for me, whether it be composing my thoughts on a book I just finished, writing a letter or perhaps a story.

My husband and I are movie buffs, taking in films at the theaters and at home. Since discovering the convenience of watching television shows on DVD, we frequently can be found cuddled on the couch taking in a show or two or three or else a movie.

Although you would think that after being on a computer at the office all day the last thing I would want to do is sit in front of one at home, the opposite, in fact, is true. Home is where I most often am able to do the fun stuff online such as surfing the web, blog hopping and visiting my online reading groups.

My favorite way to spend my leisure time regardless of what I do is doing something with my husband, whether it be going to see a baseball game, a musical or just going out to eat. My husband and I enjoy each other's company and like to do things together. Tied for that top spot is playing with my animals. They can make any bad day end on a happy note.

When all is said and done, my leisure time is my opportunity to unwind and recharge.