I consider books my friends. Once I open one, I think of it as another adventure. A few weeks ago, while some friends and I ate lunch we discussed our reading schedules. It seems like we all have been reading more.

Several years ago, I invested in a Kindle. I had held off thinking that I liked a book in my hand when I was reading. Finally, I took the plunge and have not looked back.

What I like about reading my Kindle is that new books are so easy to get. If I am in a spot where I can access the Internet I can get a new book – often for free – but if not free very inexpensively. If I am going to travel, I load up several books so that they will be there to enjoy.

When Don and I went to Alaska I took my Kindle. I read on the plane – even in the dead zone. Once we got there, I lent him my Kindle to play games while I read my hard copy book. It paid to take both kinds of books along.

The only drawback is that the little thing needs to be charged up. If the electric is out, I am unable to read once the charge runs out. I recall a time a while ago that the electric was out for more than thirty-six hours. Although my Kindle was charged, as I used it the thing eventually died. Since Don’s house had electric, I took my device down there to charge it. That day he took me out for breakfast and as I recall breakfast never tasted so good. I had not had anything warm in the past day and a half.

When I received my tally of the reading I had done in the last nine months I was surprised. It seems I spent 1471 hours reading! I read more than 86% of the other readers. I read 30 books – that does not factor in that several of them I borrowed had several books within a book. It said I read 26,750 pages. I read books by fourteen different authors. I knew that I read a lot but this surprised me. I have had more than my share of adventures.

The setting of the book is important. If I have visited the place where it is set it means even more. After I visited Hawaii, I reread some books by Phyllis Whitney. Once I had seen the flora and fauna it was easier to understand. I also reread some books from Alaska. They were more meaningful after I visited there.

Some of the books I read had southern settings. A trip to Savannah remedied that.

My grandson asked me what I was reading. I told him about Karen Kingsbury. She has so many books that are good. I really enjoyed her books about 9/11. I purchased that as a hard copy. My granddaughter read that book after a trip to New York City. I am sorry that it got her in trouble. Since my copy included two books, her teacher made her report on both of them even though she initially approved the book – both of them exceeded 300 pages! She did twice as much as anyone else for that book report. It is a good thing she liked to read.

I give each book a chance, but if does not have me hooked in first three chapters, I return it without reading it. If the family lines are too detailed, I do not read it. I like fast moving books that keep my attention. I really like what they call cozy mysteries.

I read a whole series of books that took place on board a cruise ship. Of course, they reminded me of my many cruises. It was easy to relate as they took excursions, were engaged onboard, and spoke of things that only cruisers would appreciate. They were cozy mysteries and were fun to read.

If I really like a book, I purchase it after having read it so that I can read it again. If it is a mystery, I can almost guarantee that I will not remember who did the crime.

Just started a new series. I am still on the first book, but it has been fun to read. I will probably borrow the next one in the series when it is available.

Incidentally, I also have a version of the Bible on my Kindle. It makes my morning read easier. I simply move about using the index.

Ann Swanson writes from her home in Russell, Pa. Contact at hickoryheights1@verizon.net.