Reading through the night
The first book I ever read in one sitting was Holes.
It was my summer reading for fourth grade (maybe). I simply could not put it down. I did not want to wait for the next morning to finish the story of Stanley Yelnats. It captured me the only way a book can reach a nine year old. Then, I had not come across another book so enthralling; although Bridge to Terabithia made a close second.
Since this evening, I have devoted many books in a single day. When a novel becomes linked to me in that way I simply cannot let the fate of the characters be unknown. The fact is that these characters become people to me. I know how they would react to things, I know their potential, and I can sympathize with their hardships.
So, last night I let a book carry me away to a different world. I did not choose a novel with high literature standards, but it is summer after all and it never hurts to let the mind have fun. Just as it had before, the novel wrapped me in its soft folds. Before I knew it, it was 1:00am, and before long it was 5:00am. I finally went to bed around 7:20 this morning.
By then the stillness had started to leave the night. The sky began to lighten and it was almost surreal that it was already a new day. The darkness slipped by so casually, welcoming the new brightness in like a loved one. The birds rustled and cooed. It was almost odd that it all happened so smoothly, yet so abrupt at the same time.
Yet, taken away, in the only way a book can, I felt the beauty magnified.
I probably will never stop reading through the night, but the next time I do will be in at least a month. I get much too tired to do this regularly. Although, I do recommend to do it, at least once. Let yourself become part of the story. Let the words guide your feelings towards the author's goal. Let the hours slip by as the evening stillness welcomes you to new worlds.
It was my summer reading for fourth grade (maybe). I simply could not put it down. I did not want to wait for the next morning to finish the story of Stanley Yelnats. It captured me the only way a book can reach a nine year old. Then, I had not come across another book so enthralling; although Bridge to Terabithia made a close second.
Since this evening, I have devoted many books in a single day. When a novel becomes linked to me in that way I simply cannot let the fate of the characters be unknown. The fact is that these characters become people to me. I know how they would react to things, I know their potential, and I can sympathize with their hardships.
So, last night I let a book carry me away to a different world. I did not choose a novel with high literature standards, but it is summer after all and it never hurts to let the mind have fun. Just as it had before, the novel wrapped me in its soft folds. Before I knew it, it was 1:00am, and before long it was 5:00am. I finally went to bed around 7:20 this morning.
By then the stillness had started to leave the night. The sky began to lighten and it was almost surreal that it was already a new day. The darkness slipped by so casually, welcoming the new brightness in like a loved one. The birds rustled and cooed. It was almost odd that it all happened so smoothly, yet so abrupt at the same time.
Yet, taken away, in the only way a book can, I felt the beauty magnified.
I probably will never stop reading through the night, but the next time I do will be in at least a month. I get much too tired to do this regularly. Although, I do recommend to do it, at least once. Let yourself become part of the story. Let the words guide your feelings towards the author's goal. Let the hours slip by as the evening stillness welcomes you to new worlds.
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