Top 10 Tuesday — Bookish Blessings

The great people over at The Broke And The Bookish host Top 10 Tuesday every week. Thanks so much for all you do coordinating, and thanks to all the great bloggers who participate. This week’s theme is Thanksgiving Freebie. To find out what others are thinking about this week, click HERE.

I have so many things to be grateful for, but often take them for granted in the midst of a busy life. So here are the things I consider Bookish Blessings.

Top 10 Bookish Blessings

I am thankful for a creative God who put the desire to create in the hearts of men. I think it is so cool that God chose to speak the world into being. It is also no coincidence that Jesus is described as the Word made flesh. Words are powerful and have the ability to change, redirect and focus our minds, attitudes and thoughts. So thank you God for putting words in the hearts of authors and to those who are faithful to write them down.

I am thankful for living in a country that values freedom of expression. Yes, I know that this freedom is under attack in many areas of our lives, but we still live in a country where people are free to express themselves with beautiful words as well as the ugly.

I am thankful for parents and teachers who inspired the love of reading. Bed time stories and books as gifts for every occasion — my parents encouraged me to read. My father’s example of reading instead of TV watching influenced me as well. Teachers also promoted the love of reading with free reading time, plenty of visits to the library and rewards for completing books.

I am thankful for the ability to read. Literacy is so important — it opens doors of opportunity otherwise locked shut. In addition, restored sight has allowed me to continue my love of reading when I thought my days were numbered. I lost the sight in my left eye in 2011 as the first symptom of multiple sclerosis. Modern medicine and the diligent prayers of my husband restored my eye sight. I had another bought of blindness in my right eye a few months later that also resulted in healing. I have to wear glasses — but who doesn’t at my age! 😉

I am thankful for my book clubs. I belong to 2 book clubs. By The Book has been meeting for 13 years and Page Turners has been meeting for 3. I love the time we spend discussing books, but more importantly is the time we spend sharing our lives. Thanks ladies for your continued love and friendship.

I am thankful for my blogger friends. In an age where social media creates less community, I am fortunate to have formed friendships with fellow bloggers who share my love of reading. I never thought 6 years ago when I started this blog, that I could relate to other book lovers all over the world. How cool is that!

I am thankful for my blog readers. You guys rock with your encouraging comments and faithfulness in visiting my blog. It astounds me that anyone really wants my opinion on books. I am humbled by the response I have received from the first days of my stumbling efforts up to today’s stumbling efforts!

I am thankful for publishers and publicists. Thanks so much for making great books available for free! I have been introduced to many authors and genres that I never would have without your generosity.

I am thankful for authors. While I still get a bit fan girl when it comes to interacting with authors, I am so thankful that the authors I have had the pleasure of meeting and corresponding with are really real people. Thanks for sharing your hearts and talent with us.

I am thankful for my family. These people really are the best! Who else would bear with me when I have to finish a book for review and neglect other things like meals, laundry, a clean house . . . . And did I mention that I don’t get paid for the reviews? They get that I view this as a ministry, even as I endure their good-natured teasing.

So there’s my list of Bookish Blessings.

What are you thankful for?

Tags: Top 10 Tuesday