Getting back to books

I miss books. I can't say I miss reading because, well, I do that every day. In some form. I mean, I read press releases, staff reports and sometimes research for work. I read emails. I read magazines. Online news. Blogs. Text messages. I read everything but books.

In school, you have to read books because they are assigned. Some good, some bad. But I remember thinking that once I was out of school, I would read all the books I wanted to read. Suffice to say, that hasn't happened. 

And I love reading books, I really do. But it seems I never have the time anymore. Or, at least, I don't make the time. At night, after work, instead of grabbing a novel I grab the remote. Because of this, "Eat, Pray, Love" has been sitting half-read on my nightstand for two months (probably longer, actually). Now, whenever I look at it and contemplate picking it up again, I feel like I have to start over from the beginning...

Another thing I miss is my bookshelf. At our last apartment, we had a nice built-in bookshelf. It was small, but it worked. I had some of my favorite books on display and those I had yet to read. In a way, it served as a reminder to not mindlessly watch TV all night. To take a book off the shelf and get wrapped up in those fictional characters instead. But in our new apartment, there's no bookshelf. I am ashamed to admit that my books are still packed away in a cardboard box! (I moved in February, if you remember.)

I have so many more books needing to be read at my parents' house, too. In my old childhood room I have a big, white Ikea bookshelf that takes up two walls. Stacked on the shelves are dozens and dozens of books. I think bookcases are so beautiful in a home and wish I could have a reading room like the one pictured above. Isn't it amazing? I have made the promise many times not to buy any more books until I read what I have, which works for the most part but not always! Sometimes, while browsing Borders, I just can't help myself.

Anyway, I really want to get back into reading books. I think one of my New Years resolutions was to read one book a month. Eek. It's April and I have read none! Reading magazines is fine but I feel so much more accomplished when I finish a book. It is like I'm a better person for having turned its pages. I read this quote the other day by Paul Sweeney and it is so true:

You know you've read a good book when you turn the last page and feel a little as if you have lost a friend.

My plan? Finally finish "Eat, Pray, Love." I have heard it is amazing, which is why I started reading it in the first place, so I just need to devote myself to reading it. No more wasting away on the couch. Starting this weekend.

In the meantime, tell me, do any of you have this problem? A ton of books to read and no time (or too tired, unmotivated) to read them?

Also, how often do you curl up with a good book? Are you a fast reader? (I'm not. I like to read only a few chapters at a time.) What's the last book you read? (Mine was "True Believer" by Nicholas Sparks.) And, what's your favorite book of all time? (I'd have to say, "Tuesdays with Morrie" by Mitch Albom.)

Thanks for sharing (and reading)!

Rainbow bookshelf image via Freshome.

Eat, Pray, Love cover found here.