New Member :)

I am a high school sophomore, and I love books. Everybody else I know my age is interested in the latest gossip or the newest TV show/videogame. For me, the "hot" topic is books. My passion stems out from the fact that I can relate to the fictional characters in novels in a way that I can't do with my school peers. I can have adventures & experience situations that I normally wouldn't be able to have. Books provide an effortless escape from reality, which is rather lonely and dull.

My question is, what makes all you avid readers so passionate about books? What connects you to the stories you read?

I also have a blog. I've just started, so it's not amazing or anything, but I'd greatly appreciate it if you guys would follow me! On the right side of my blog page is a globe. Pinpoint your location on it! Please & thank you! :)

http://pahloolahblog.blogspot.com/

I'd be happy to follow you if you follow me! Just post your blog link with your reply to the question above.

Welcome Paola! As a former bookish kid, I can relate to your story. For me, it was because I grew up on a farm in a very rural area and didn't have a lot of peers to interact with outside of school. While my school friends lived in neighborhoods and ran amuck with other kids, I turned to reading and wandering on the farm. I'm 29 now and my love of books is stronger than ever. Reading can take you anywhere you want to go!

Keep with it. When you get to college (or just into the real world if you don't pursue college), you will find that being bookish can be a good thing- it can connect you with others (just look at LT!) and give you the ability to understand people who are different than you.

Hi there! I think you'll find many of us here read for the same reasons you do: to escape, to relax, to find new "friends" to relate to and enjoy, if even for a short time.

I honestly can't remember a time before books. Like atlargeintheworld, I also lived in a rural area-- the closest children to play with were a 4-mile walk away. So, the books were my friends!

Enjoy the site, and feel free to chime in on our "What are you reading" thread. I always love to see what everyone is reading.

Hey Paola! I'm right there with you. I'm in high-school, too, and books have stolen my heart ever since I was a small girl and I was given The Chronicles of Narnia by my mom.

Books make me forget where I am, and I get so lost in them. I relish in the witticisms, the adventures, good writing, and the characters that I identify with. Books make life bearable.

Hi Paola,

This thread will introduce you to a lot of the members in this group, and tell you why we love reading YA lit.

Welcome, and good luck with your blog!