When I was in highschool, reading was not really my thing. It makes me sleepy and it takes so much time. I would rather go outside to meet my friends or watch my favorite TV shows rather than to sit for hours to finish a text book or something. Whenever we had an assignment, I would always rely on my classmates' works and whatever my teacher is explaining. I would jot down notes, those keywords I think might appear on our exams but no one have seen me reading. Ever. And that attitude I thought would be applicable for college. Boy I was wrong, especially if you were taking up BSN.
I remember when I was in 4th year, all my classmates were really serious with their studies. Everyday their faces are buried under our textbooks. And they are all busy taking down notes. You know what really forced me to read? My classmates! Because they won't give the right answer during exams and they would hide their assignments so you could not copy. I thought they are selfish. LOL! So there, I HAD TO READ!!!
The first novel that I read was Tuesdays With Morrie by Mitch Albom. It was not a thick book for me, like a hundred plus pages, not sure. I also have to practice pronouncing words right, so I thought it would be the best book to start with. At that time I was having issues finishing it but when I got the core of it, I got hooked. Since then I never saw myself not reading especially these past year when I had the luxury to purchase books, it truly converted me.
Lately, buying second hand books is one of my favorite things to do. Sure thing, new books are okay, I guess -- but I love second hand books (and third, who knows? Lol.) I don't mean first editions in mint condition here, just used books. Do I need to say why I love buying used books? Well because it's waaaay cheaper. ;)
Ninety percent of my books I get second hand. I even have a book where the pages are already falling apart, but I am still okay with it because I can still read the text. And I think that's the most important. One of my friends, says that those preloved slash used slash secondhand books have this certain charm -- the well loved pages caressed by repeated reading of the first owner of the book. I love buying second hand books, you know why? Because they have stories other than what is written on them.
