If anything I ask today to Saint George in his day, aside from entrusting him my novel and my beloved FC Barcelona of course, is that the habit of reading books will never get lost. No matter what is the format of your choice, it is essential that those who love to read foster this habit because maybe that’s what the world lacks today: people who read books.
I confess that a few years ago when the e-books boom started, I was one of those who refused to accept it. The thing is that for me there is nothing like the smell of a book, touching its pages, and feeling and appreciating its cover on the nightstand. And I refused to believe that this experience would be modified to have in my hands a weird electronic device and simply click on it. However, today I should be a member of “eBookholics anonymous.” I can load and carry as many as I want wherever I go.
To me reading, like writing, is a must. And so I want and hope (Saint George please help me out again here) that my kids will see reading just like me. And both formats are spectacular.
Reading books transports us to different places, teaches and nurtures us. It is also the best way to know the true essence of human beings, our passions, our conflicts, and our dreams. The real and fictitious stories told in thousands of books are the most fascinating doors a mind may open. They make our imagination and creativity come alive somewhere; we can appreciate the riches of any language, we also can learn to communicate with each other. Reading is an exquisite fruit to our intellect, always curious, clever, and able to store all kinds of information that we use daily for our needs and why not, also for our pleasures.
Today on the World Book Day, beyond telling you that thanks to Saint George in Barcelona people give each other roses and books (if you want to know why just Google it, it’s your homework of the day but look for it as Sant Jordi Day), I invite you to support and encourage the reading of books at your homes, in your communities, especially to children who are today crammed with useless video games and television programs.
Tell me, what is your favorite book? When was the last time you read a book? What book was it? Which one do you want to read? I would recommend you mine, fresh from the oven …. Mmmmm unfortunately is only in Spanish, but you are more than welcome to buy it and share it with your Spanish-speaking friends!
