In Praise of Books

Hello Friends,

Today is World Book Day. This celebration of the written word was started to encourage reading. I don’t need much encouragement to read—or write—but think it’s nice to celebrate human creativity and the ways we connect.

One of my favorite writers—James Baldwin—said: ““You think your pain and your heartbreak are unprecedented in the history of the world, but then you read.”

Telling stories is a way that humans connect to one another. We share experiences. We share hopes and dreams and pain. We build new worlds, and bring them to life.

Books got me through my difficult childhood, and books are once again getting me through these turbulent times we find ourselves in.

“We read books to find out who we are,” said visionary Ursula K. Le Guin.

I would add: We read books and tell stories to find out who we can become.

How about you? What are some of your favorite books? What books have changed your mind, or brought you comfort? What books have inspired you, or even saved your life?

Be well, and keep reading.

Blessings — Thorn

Want access to a bunch of free books? The Wide Word of SciFi and Fantasy is a multi-author collection of books that runs through the end of the month. Pick up some new-to-you authors today.