I don’t know about you, but I’ve always thought there was a special kind of magic in books, not only for their ability to take you to different worlds, into the minds of intriguing heroes (and even villains), and on gripping adventures, but for their ability to bring friendship, light, and love into our world.
Growing up, I had a loving family and I had some close friends but I wasn’t what would be called popular. I was shy, and growing up in a family with only sisters I didn’t know how to talk to boys. I also wasn’t good at sports and it seemed like many of the more confident and popular students were.
During my school years, books were a mixed blessing for me. On the one hand, my love of reading always ensured that I had some way to keep myself entertained, but on the other hand, reading wasn’t always considered a worthy pastime or a way to win friends. I’m probably dating myself a bit here, but this was before the years of Oprah’s Book Club, before book clubs became so popular, basically before reading was considered a “cool” (or at least something that you didn’t have to justify doing!).
As an adult, I can honestly say that reading has been one of the main things that has connected me to people who have become my best friends. For example, there was a woman who worked in the same department as me. I certainly didn’t dislike her but didn’t see her as someone I would ever get close to. One day, however, we noticed we were reading the same book, which naturally led to a discussion about what we thought of it and other books we had read. She is now retired but we make a point of having lunch—and book shopping!—at least once a month. I may never have had the pleasure of knowing her, or others, or the wonderful and eclectic variety of personalities in the book club I belong to if it hadn’t been for my love of books.
Like many people who read, I have the urge to write too. I know what a good story does for my heart, and I want to share that feeling with others. I am blessed to come from a family who loves words and who always encourages me. And I am blessed by so many authors who encourage and motivate me by putting their hearts into every word they write.
I write short stories, poetry and devotions, and my second book for the Love Inspired Line, Instant Father, is being released in March. It will be available in all major bookstores and for order on Amazon and Indigo.
I would love to hear how books and reading have influenced your lives.
Happy Reading!
Bachelor Paul Belvedere is overwhelmed with raising his recently orphaned young nephew. Fortunately, he’s found an ally in violet-eyed teacher Charlotte Connelly. Paul might even be able to trust her with his shameful secret. But when he discovers that Charlotte is planning on leaving town on a mission trip, Paul is caught between saying goodbye…or teaching her an important lesson in love.
Donna Gartshore loves reading and writing. She also writes short stories, poetry and devotions. She often veers off to the book section in the grocery store when she should be buying food. Besides talking about books and writing, Donna loves spending time with her daughter, Sunday family suppers, and engaging online with the writing community.
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