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Growing up I loved to read and could not understand why others didn't. I spent hours in the library at school, searching for the perfect books. When I got them home, after dinner, homework and running around with my friends, I found that reading a book would relax me enough so that I could go to sleep. But that wasn't the only reason I loved to read.

I could escape from reality and end up in another world altogether. I especially loved reading Nancy Drew Mysteries, trying to solve the case before the book ended. And "Gone With The Wind"? I managed to read this book in one week, which I felt was an accomplishment since it's over 1200 pages long.

Books took me away from the angst of being a teenager. A time to just relax in the quiet of my room and pretend I was someone else for just a little while. From the belle of the ball during the Civil War to a sci-fi heroine in the future, to a teenage detective in the here and now.

Most of the time I would read aloud. It seemed to make me understand what I was reading more if I heard my own voice actually saying the words. My sister hated sharing a room with me for that very reason. My habit of doing that really started to irritate her and I was thankful when we got our own rooms so that I could shut the door and relax.

As much as I loved books and still do, I have to admit that most of the time I skimmed through any long winded writings of what the sky looked like, or what the weather was like or how a house was decorated. The only things I paid attention to in a book were the character descriptions and the actual action. I was never one to like a drawn out, in every detail explanation of the surroundings of the characters.

Now, as a mother of three, I still read but I have found that watching a movie with my family is much more satisfying. Not only can I just see what's on the screen instead of having to read the descriptions, but I get to share it with my family.

It is very hard to share a book with five people at one time. Sure, each of us could read the same book and then discuss it later, but I prefer spending time with my husband and kids in front of the big screen television, discussing things as they happen or during a commercial break.

As I have aged, my imagination is not as good as it used to be either, so it is nice to be able to watch the special effects that a lot of movies have. These special effects are usually better than anything I could have imagined if reading them, so that is an added bonus.

Add in the fact that my husband and one of my daughters hate to read and yes, it is much better for our family to watch television or go to the movies than to read.

Learn more about this author, Cathy Miller.
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