Fall Reading

With school well underway, I have been busy to say the least. At night I have made a habit to read before bed. While I should be sharing more on the latest books that have caught my eye, in all honestly I have been revisiting my books for the last month or so. Going back to the beginning of September, I've been inspired by my special woman. First, I found myself revisiting my time living in Italy by reading Head over Heel by Chris Harrison. The book itself is not only a travelogue but a love story on how Chris relocated from Australia to be with his Italian love. I read the book prior to moving to Italy and then two times now since my return. All I can say is that if you truly want to understand the people and the ways of southern Italy, this is the book to read. The story encompasses the passion, love, and spirit of the Italian identity.  For me this opportunity to read the book once more, made the time I had in Italy more meaningful and an experience I will cherish in the years to come.

Fittingly, after I traveled back from Puglia, I wanted to read some of my older books prior. I don't know if many authors do this, aside from the editing process, but this was a first for me. I hadn't read Swimming With Angels or Going Home since their release over four years ago. I will admit the reading was eventful. Sure I grimaced occasionally at an awkward line, word, or even typo, but I found myself intrigued with the writer who sat down and created this story. Where was I in my life when I wrote that chapter or developed those characters?

I don't know if revisiting these stories was cathartic, but personally I took so much from this reading experience. Where the writing process allowed me to work out continued grief over the loss of my twin and where I stood in that progression of time since his passing, the reading process was equally rewarding. With Christian embodying so many of my characteristics, I had a front row seat in his journey and could compare it to my own. I think in many ways, I was able to reflect and learn how to move forward in a manner that the character was unable to do.

While this is more personal than many of my blogs, I share it because I think we all should revisit a favorite book or story. There are layers of meanings for us to digest in the most juicy of tales. Even if we know the story by heart, the reader, you and I have changed in those days from the last sit down, that the experience alone might leave us forever changed.

In the days ahead, read a book from your youth or from days gone by. Who knows you might find a shift in yourself or a new appreciation for the story that you never knew.

Old publicity photo for Running With Vince.