Why I love books – an entirely incomplete list.

1. They’re a chance to make use of someone else’s imagination for a little while.
2. They smell nice.
3. They’re an escape from normality.
4. Other people write much more beautiful prose than that which I use for thinking.
5. They’re a useful ‘leave me alone’ sign on public transport.
6. I can make (semi) informed judgements about other people based on what they’re reading on public transport and then play a game whereby I imagine a name, job and amusing life for them.
7. They fit in my handbag.  (It’s possible that I only buy handbags big enough to hold a book.  Or two.)
8. Old favourites never get old.
9. They’re a good icebreaker when not used as ‘leave me alone’ signs.  It’s all in the tilt.
10. They’re links through time to other readers.
11. They contain words and images I’d never have thought of.
12. Some of them contain poems, some contain plays, some contain fiction and some contain non fiction.  Endless possibilities.
13. It is pretty much impossible to run out of reading material.
14. Films are often disappointing when compared to the book but books are never disappointing when compared to the film.
15. Libraries are places where scrunching down into a sofa and not moving for three hours is positively encouraged.
16. They make me a better writer.
17. They make me a better reader.
18. They educate me.
19. They inspire me.
20. As long as I’ve got one, I’m never bored.

 Oh yes.  Books galore.