Has reading a book become a lost art??

I love to read - so much so that a man who sees me regularly whilst waiting for my bus home from work commented "You're always reading a book". Random comment, but it really reminded me of how much I love reading. In today's fast paced online world, the joy of reading a (physical) book seems to have been lost. We all read on a regular basis but this tends to be tweets, Facebook posts and comments, daily mail articles or magazines, I'm sure we're all guilty of one the above, right? 

Somewhere along the way we've forgotten to read books. Whilst on my daily travels it is rare to see a fellow commuter reading a book. Looking at their phones yes, but no book! When was the last time you actually sat and read a book? 

Reading has continually been part of my life but more recent in the last year. Since January I've read about 15 books and I have to admit it was a struggle at first. It felt as though I was learning how to read all over again. Focusing on the story and not getting lost in other thoughts was difficult. Learning to follow the story line and think about what might happen next and understanding the characters all seemed new to me. Finding a book that has meaning, that leaves you feeling something is always my main aim. This is a challenge within it's self as it's often difficult to find an exciting and interesting book that's keeps you wanting to turn the page. Great writers can detail something so clearly that you can be transported there in a moment. 

Books can be life changing, they teach us things about ourselves and others that no other medium can. Reading is one of the things that keeps me mentally sane and stops me from worrying about life. 

It fills my boring bus journeys and Saturday afternoons in front of the fire when it's freezing. They are a way to escape our sometimes mundane lives, because let's be honest life's not always fun. Whilst my heads in a book I can forget about the stresses and imagine myself in that world. I also think I might single handedly be able to keep my local library in business (despite government cut backs.)

If you're a book lover or newbie novel reader here's some of my favourites  - 

Savages by Shirley Conran 

The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion 

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte 

The Girl on the Train - Paula Hawkins

The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton

The Lesser Bohemians by Eimear McBride

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