My newly founded book group met for our first meeting last week. As host, I was nervous about expectations and making sure that everyone was relaxed and happy. It all went well though. Fellow book lovers, comfy seats and delicious chocolate brownies meant everyone was happy to be there. One thing that did strike me though was how some people, who admit how much they enjoy reading, say they also find it hard to find time to read. There are many different reasons, from an over stimulated brain to being too tired and of course, that ever present feeling of guilt that there is always something more pressing and ‘important’ to be getting on with. What is wrong with taking time out with a book? Why is it that people often feel that to have time to sit and read risks people feeling they aren’t busy enough, working hard enough or they are failing in some other area of their life. At what point did society decide that reading was a symbol of laziness, leisure or simply having nothing more important (like unloading the dishwasher) to do?

But, as the week went on I chatted to someone who admitted that reading came first. To them it was more important that the unwashed dishes or sorting laundry. It wasn’t a sign that they weren’t busy or important in life, in fact it was the opposite. It was something that they needed to do to continue to be the succesful person they were. It was PART of who they were. How amazing would it be if we could all embrace it. Time to read? Yes of course, it’s like breathing – I couldn’t survive without it.