What does books and reading mean to me.....I don't know if I read because I was curious or if I am curious because I read. Probably both. I do know, however, that books are my refuge. They give me safety and comfort when life can be hectic, stressful, confusing or uncertain. They are an escape and a sanctuary and a peaceful oasis. Books has way of transporting you to places that you never imagined, it allows you to visit and be exposed to ideas, that you would never have considered. Reading can be fun; you can read by yourself, read with a love one or read in a group setting.  Books are limitless, they are go any and everywhere with you, and they have  way of sticking with you if you give it a chance. My  hope is that the books I have read has lend to making me more compassionate, idealistic, open-minded, aware, and brave or maybe they made me smarter. I know they provided me with inspiration and standards to live up to and choices to avoid. I know that it is a hobby that I have passed down and share with my daughter. We love going to the bookstore and the library and we can be there for hours and not realize it.  We come out with lots of books in hand, a smile on our faces and very excited to get home to get reading, with anticipation of enjoying our next adventure. I know that my poor husband just shakes his head with a smirk because he knows my love for reading and sharing stories;  I have been known to go without sleep just because I can't put a book down. I live by a philosophy of Live, Love and Laugh and to take every step in my life as "a new chapter in life" and to make the best of it with those I love. Reading is one of those great things in life that allows for those "new chapters".  I want to believe that the stories that are in my head are also something that can be great.  One of these days I am going to get those stories out of my head and on paper or online for others to read with the hopes that I can spread the joy of reading.