While watching "The Accidental Tourist" I had a sudden thought that the book might be more enjoyable than the film (as interesting as the film is). This got me thinking about reading in general. And more importantly it made me think about my not so recent aversion to reading. When did it happen and why?

I like the idea of a good book. I like to hold a real book and maybe even secretly enjoy that gross old book smell. As a child I spent a great deal of time reading. I loved being able to go on an adventure without leaving the couch. And I could relish the delight of knowing that some bits of wisdom written down by an author ages ago still rang true today.

I'm not sure what happened but I sort of dread reading now. I usually only have the time and patience for non-fiction that I might find useful in my life. I really can't think of the last fiction I read. I don't know when this happened. Am I lazy? Did college leave me no room for any more reading? Have I given over to easy entertainment in the form of television and movies? I don't think so. If there was anything I used to do more than read, it was watch TV. And I can hardly tolerate that now.

Maybe it's the high-speed life we live now. After all the last book I purchased was bought with a few swipes and is easily read on my iphone. That old book smell has been replaced with the little swiper page. I will admit that does give me a little thrill. And at the same time I feel almost sad to think that i no longer enjoy sitting quietly with a real live book.

I keep meeting people in my real life and have seen a lot interviews about writers or actors who "LOVE TO READ." And it leaves me feeling a bit lacking. Why? Do I feel dumb because I don't pick a book up every night before bed? Maybe. To be honest the stuff most people read these days seems like it might make them dumber. Don't get me started on those vampires. Does reading increase your imagination? I don't know. It seems like it might tie you down more. Who knows.

As much as I appreciate imagination I can't help but feel these days it's more helpful to be in touch with "real life." And yet real life is often so horrid that maybe a simple escape would do us good. Or how about the innovators of the past. Without imagination they would not have dared even dream up some of the things that helped make real life easier. So basically I've got no good conclusions on the subject.

I think though, I'll give myself some slack. Sure I don't care what the latest vampire book says, but I don't think I ever did. And I don't think I'll be losing any of my imagination. I can still play pretend with the best of any 5 year olds. And while I might not sit down every night with so and so's memoirs I think I might try to etch a little more time in my life for a quality read. I think if we are not carful then sometimes the facebooks, twitters, and iphones can make life too cluttered. Maybe it is important to have that time to sit and muse on other people's words. They may not be right, but at least you've given yourself time draw a conclusion about it and not just ingested it without a thought. After all these musings, I think I may have talked myself into at least thinking about reading more.