Hi everyone!
I’m Annika and have been reviewing for Love Bytes since just before Christmas, and I haven’t been happier, I’ve loved everything about these last few months and can’t wait to see what the future will bring.
From middle school and onwards books have been a huge part of my life. I’ve always had a book or more on my nightstand or in my hands. I’ve dreamt of having my own library with a comfy chair to cuddle up in with a great book. But then again what bookworm doesn’t want that?
My journey with books started out solving mysteries with Nancy Drew, I was always drawn to the books with romance though, any and all romance, be it historical, contemporary, mysteries or paranormal. I loved it all and as my library grew so did I. I learnt so much reading books, some wondrous things but also some horrible ones, and I value them all. Books have made me grow up, but they also keep me young. I’ve travelled the world and solved so many mysteries I should have my own detective’s badge 😉
A few years ago I found two new loves, one of them was the m/m romance genre and the other one was audiobooks. Reading m/m has taught me a lot, both about myself and how blind to the world and the prejudices I have been, but it’s also taught me to really see. Daring to see the struggles of the LGBTQ community, but more importantly, seeing the love it holds. I now see the gay couples walking on the streets where I before only saw friendships. I see and hear the prejudices I never did before and try my very best to stop it.
As for audiobooks. I will be forever grateful to a friend of mine who got me to listen to my first audio. To say I was sceptical is putting it mildly, it took her a long time to convince me to just try one book. Now? I can’t imagine not having at least one audiobook at my fingertips at all times. They’ve quite literally saved my sanity. I suffer from chronic (daily) migraines and is very sensitive to all stimuli (sight, sound, light, smell etc) so something that might seem trivial to a lot of people like going grocery shopping is a feat for me, it’s always done with a lot of planning and preparations (even if it’s only 5 minutes’ walk away and I only need milk). The sound of the cars, people around me, people milling around the sun and light (even grey days) causes sensory overload and then the pain starts. Audiobooks though, they take me away from all that. They shields me from all the things and sounds going on around me and I happily exist in the bubble the narrator and author have created. They’ve enabled me to have a life again, to be a part of the world again.
So thank you Denise for forcing me to listen to audiobooks, and thank you to all the wonderful authors and narrators out there who creates all these wonderful stories, and thank you to all my fellow bookworms who’ve introduced me to so many great books and shared so many thoughts and discussions and hope for many more to come.
Before I leave you though, I’m wondering – how have books impacted your life? Is there a specific book that changed it in any way?
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Welcome (since you’re a relative newbie) and thanks for reviewing for Love Bytes, and to Dreamspinner for the giveaway. I used to listen to audio more and now it’s ebooks; but I’m happy to hear how audios have helped you.
Because of physical/financial issues, my world is very small. Books allow me to live vicariously through them, which saves my sanity.
I have been a reader all my life, so I can honestly say that books influence my every day, my way of thinking and living, I do not understand my life without books!
Books have taught me a lot about the world and about people. I think they have made me more open minded and understanding.
Thanks for the post!
No matter how I’m feeling, what I’m lacking, or what I’m curious about, a book always seems to turn up that gives me what I need!
I have always like reading but in 7th grade we had to read A Tale of Two Cities. that book really got me to love reading.
I have been reading for a long time. Gone With the Wind really comes to mind,
Books have always been my escape and a love of mine. They help me relax and explore new worlds. One book actually led me on a journey that is helping me understand more about myself than I ever thought, Ace by Jack Byrne.
books have always been the way I escape….whether it’s to the wizarding world of Harry Potter, the vampire laden world of Anita Blake (both are my pre-M/M book worlds) or the THIRDS world, Ty and Zane, Tate and Logan, Infected world…..they all take me away from my real life and immerse me in theirs
Books have always been a source of entertainment and escape for me. I love it because it helped to build my imagination and let me learn about experiences I would’t otherwise have for one reason or another.
Hi Annika, great to hear that you found a new home with love bytes reviews and that audiobooks have improved your every day life situation in general.
I loved reading ever since I could read. My first love were probably Grimm’s fairy tales. Tried a lot of books ever since. Reading calms me, reading helps me, when I struggle. Wouldn’t want to miss it.
I get so much from books. I learn new words, i get to travel and learn things about new cities, i learn of different lifestyles, cultures and communities and i get to escape.
I can’t remember a time when I haven’t had a book in my hand or at least nearby. Reading as always been my safe place, my escape and my comfort. I love being transported to new places, learn new things and discovering new ways of thinking through books and reading.
I love to read it is so much fun to read and create the characters in your mind and to be able to escape the real world for a while.
Books are an escape. A way to breathe and see a whole new world
Divergent by Veronica Roth changed my entire life…it started the process of me taking back complete control of my life, and it helped me take my future into my own hands.
I can’t remember not reading – starting with Enid Blyton’s Famous Five I am still a mystery fan – give me a good old murder mystery any day!!!
Books are all things – entertainment, escape, education, thrill, me time, emotional outlet
I prefer reading to any other activity. People ask me if I’m watching TV shows but I spend all my spare time reading so I never am.
I don’t think there’s any specific book that changed my life, but I’m grateful that I discovered romantic books in general. They relax me and make me happier, however temporary, in the midst of problems that the real life is made of.
No specific book, but books in general are big part of my life. Always have been. They’re my safe place and I can hardly imagine life without them.
Hmm, not sure if there’s a specific book but as a whole, reading have made me accept how different people are and the beliefs they have, even if it’s the complete opposite of what I believe.