A book is like a garden carried in the pocket.

Reading has alway been a part of my life. I remember as a little girl sitting in my grandpa's lap, looking through books that he received in the mail from Reader's Digest each month. There were books about poems, monuments, the seven wonders of the world and I was fascinated. Each night I'd curl up in be with my little pink bear and listen to my mom read me a golden book (and then beg her to read just one more). We went from golden books to chapter books, and soon I was the one reading to her.
Each time I open a book, I'm instantly transported to the attic of the high school on the movie The Neverending Story, where Bastian sits under a blanket reading the book. I can't even count how many times I've stayed up literally all night long because a book was so good I simply could not stop reading. I often tell myself 'just one more chapter' but that usually becomes two or three more until my eyes cannot stay open and I wake up with an open book across my chest.
I'm obsessed with the library, Borders, Half-Price Books, and Amazon. I own a Kindle DX and two 6 ft tall bookshelves that I clean out every few months to make room for my newest editions. So needless to say, books a huge part of my life. Probably the most long lasting, stable relationship I am in <3.
There are so many good books and it literally breaks my heart to know that some people haven't experienced the utter joy that I experienced while reading them... so I'm going to start blogging about books on Wednesdays.
I've already blogged about Eat, Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert but it is truly my most favorite book. ever. If I was stranded on an island and could pick one book, that would be it. I love Liz (yes, in my mind, we are on a first name basis) and when in a difficult situation I often ask myself 'What would Liz do'? 'How would Liz handle this?'. Liz has a way of putting feelings and emotions that you didn't even know you had into words that make your soul sing when you read them. I've bought 7 copies of this book and as of right now
I don't have any of them. I read them, highlight my favorite parts then find a friend who hasn't read the book yet. So I give them the book and buy myself another. It's a cycle I don't mind repeating because I have yet to find someone who hasn't loved the book. If you haven't read this book, you need to. If you've already read it, you need to read it again.
"Happiness is the consequence of personal effort. You fight for it, strive for it, insist upon it, and sometimes even travel around the world looking for it. You have to participate relentlessly in the manifestations of your own blessings. And once you have achieved a state of happiness, you must never become lax about maintaining it. You must make a mighty effort to keep swimming upward into that happiness forever, to stay afloat on top of it."
— Elizabeth Gilbert (Eat, Pray, Love) 

Another book I recommend for daily reading is The Awe-Manac: A Daily Dose of Wonder by Jill Badonsky. There is a page for every day of the year filled with daily soul vitamins (better known as quotes), toasts, famous birthdays and quirky holidays you've never heard of. Think of it as a playful twist on the Farmer' Almanac, full of way to spark your creativity!
For example, on today, March 9th, the daily soul vitamin says "The only rule is that there are no rules." - Del Close
The Aha-phrodisiac suggest to make artwork to go with John Calvi's quote: "When I took the leap, I had faith I'd find the net; instead I learned to fly."
If I had to describe it in one word, I'd say fun. A great go-to book when you're having an off day or need some inspiration.
According to the Awe-Manac, tomorrow is pet appreciation day.... which gives me a topic for tomorrow.... my 3 dogs, 3 cats and cockatiel :)