Top Ten Tuesday used to be a weekly post hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, but was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl. “It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.” This is definitely something I can understand and want to participate in.
This week’s prompt is reasons why I’m thankful for books, and it’s in honor of Thanksgiving here in the United States. I’m aware of the problematic nature of this holiday and its roots, and I am fully on the side of the Indigenous people. However, my family likes any excuse to get together and celebrate each other’s company, so our November gathering is just a family tradition.
However, I’m extraordinarily thankful for lots of things, books being one of them. And I don’t know if I can come up with ten reasons why I’m thankful for books, but I’m sure going to try.
- They build a sense of empathy. Reading books helps me get inside the head of a lot of characters, many of whom are very different from myself and in extraordinarily different situations, yet I can empathize with nearly all of them (except the really horrible characters).
- They help me avoid awkward conversation.Usually. If I don’t want to talk to someone, especially a stranger, I can just hold up my book and they’ll typically get the hint that I’m reading and won’t be engaging in conversation.
- They help me learn. I’ve learned so much from reading, whether it’s nonfiction on a specific topic, or a fiction book about a historical period or a culture different from my own.
- They make beautiful decorations. I love looking at my bookshelves and all the beautiful books that I’ve accumulated.
- They make it easy to talk to people that also love books. And really, what other kind of people do I want to talk to?
- They’re (almost) always better than the movies. If I have the choice, nine times out of ten, I’ll pick a book over a movie.
- I’ve developed a great imagination. Books have allowed me to develop a great sense of imagination and creativity that I probably wouldn’t have if I wasn’t a reader.
- Big hardbacks can be a great weapon. I don’t typically worry about needing a weapon, but it’s good to know that if the rare event occurs where I need a weapon on the fly, I can just grab a chonky hardback (SJM I’m looking at you) and fight off an attacker.
- I’m a great trivia partner. Reading all of these books has filled me with a ridiculous amount of random knowledge that makes me ideal to have on a trivia team. Just saying.
- I’ve been able to meet all of the really amazing people in the blogging community! This is arguably one of the best perks on being a book lover.
What makes you thankful for books?
Categories: Top Ten Tuesday
Leah's Books 
There’s always so many fabulous reasons to be thankful for books. Getting to “explore” other locations we might not normally “see” is one of my reasons and as you say, that helps us use our imagination. 🙂
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Absolutely! I can’t exactly afford to travel to everywhere I want to visit, but I can easily visit the world (and alternate universes) for free just by using my library card. And books absolutely foster the imagination!
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I didn’t even think about imagination. But that is so true!
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It really is! I think the fact that I started reading early helped me develop such a strong imagination.
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A great list! I never even thought about them being used as a weapon 😂
Have a great week!
Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog
My post:
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Hahahaha whenever I’m reading a scary book at night, I always think that I could use it as a weapon – that’s not usually the first thought that comes to mind when I look at a book, though!
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Haha I can see where the thought comes from! It is a great reason!
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I love point 5. If you can find a book in common, conversation flows easily, whether you both liked it or not.
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Exactly! That’s a great starting point for conversation, either way! I’ve made so many friends online just by chatting about books.
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I’m thankful books are such an important part of my life.
Pam @ Read! Bake! Create!
https://readbakecreate.com/coloring-books-for-book-lovers-gift-ideas/
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Me too! I’m especially grateful that they allow me to participate in TTT and make such awesome connections, like you!
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I loved these answers! Perfect.
Here is my Top Ten Tuesday post.
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Thanks! Can’t wait to check out your post.
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All great reasons! I love #5 especially. “What are you reading?” is a great conversation starter and has led me to discuss books with my dentist, phlebotomist, dental hygienist, neighbors, strangers, doctors, etc. Sometimes it’s because they also love books; other times, it’s because they’re trying to get to know me better. Either way, I’m always willing to talk about books!
BTW: I mentioned you in my TTT list today 🙂
Happy TTT!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
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Thank you, and I can’t wait to see what you said!! I actually just got into a whole conversation about books with my waxer because she had a book on the table. I’m always willing to talk books too!
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Haha, I wish books helped me avoid awkward conversations. I always read a book while sitting in airports, but strangers still insist on talking to me!
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Hahahahaha, I usually just ignore them outright and eventually they go away. Or if they don’t, I hold the book up higher 😬
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I’m laughing at #9 simply because I’ve come out with facts no one expected me to know, simply because I read it in a book once. 😀
Here is our Top Ten Tuesday. Thank you!
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Every. Single. Time! I’d be perfect for trivia!
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These are all great reasons to be thankful for books.
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Absolutely!
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👌👌
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😃
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😁🙄
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