How I Became an Avid Reader, Book Junkie and Bookaholic.

My mother, sisters and school librarian aided and abetted to my reading decades long reading habit.

My name is Deirdre Pippins and I am a Bookaholic. Not to make light of alcoholism which is a serious disease, but I do have a serious addiction to all things books. I have decided the terms avid reader and book junkie are not enough to describe me any more. My #podcast, #YouTube channel and #blog is for you if you feel the same way.

Ask yourself these questions, does heading to the #library make you feel giddy? Do you buy multiple books one month only to buy multiple books the next? (You have probably only finished two at best.) Do you feel happy when you buy #books from any source, or have a book in your hand constantly? Do you judge books by their covers, smell books or love to see a stack of books in your living space?

“I liken our habit to smoking cigarettes. I've never been a smoker, but can certainly relate to the comaraderie that it subsequently provides.”

If you answered yes to just one of these questions, then you've got it too. I have created a safe space for us. This is a space where we can honestly nerd-out about our habit and other bookish things. This is a no judgment zone where it is safe to be a #bookworm.

I Got It From My Mama.....and sisters and Mrs. Ashworth

I can certainly credit my environment for my becoming a bookaholic. As soon as I opened my eyes and was aware in my home, there were books and newspapers around. My mother and sisters would read Harlequin Romances, and of course there was the Charlotte Observer newspaper in our home on Sundays.

Then later, circa age six, I was introduced to the school #librarian, Mrs. Ashworth. I had a wonderful relationship with Mrs. Ashworth. She literally guided me and my #reading journey from the first grade to the ninth grade. (Listen to the podcast about why we were together for so long.) And one of the things that teachers and librarians did was read to us. They would also show us film strips. A film strip was a low technology film of a book sectioned in image frames but did not have sound.

The most profound film strip I ever saw was #Courdoroy. Courdoroy is the story of a cute little bear who lives in a department store until Lisa buys him. Lisa is African American. It was an incredible feeling seeing myself on screen in the early 70s when I was the only black girl in the first grade. Thank you for showing that to me Mrs. Ashworth.

As the school librarian, Mrs. Ashworth was in charge of the #Scholastic #Book Fair. She actually handed me the #biography of Mary McLeod Bethune. Through many trials and tribulations, she eventually became the founder and president of Bethune-Cookman College in Florida. This book solidified Bethune as my favorite black history icon.

As I aged, Mrs. Ashworth kept taking me on a reading journey. I advanced to all of the Judy Blume books. As a pre-teen, my favorite of course, was "Are You There God? It's Me Margaret." I soooo identified with this book.

Where Am I Now in My Reading Journey?

From this point, I was off the charts with my reading. I devoured Stephen King, someone I no longer read by the way. I was also all caught up on what I term as the jetsetter novels written by Sidney Sheldon, Judith Krantz and Jackie Collins. If only my mother knew how much I was reading about sex, drugs and rock and roll LOL.

During my high school and college years, I didn't read as much because school was overwhelming with all the activities that I was involved in. Of course, you are reading some many text books in college, there is no way you are able to pick up any other books even if they are just for pure pleasure.

In my adulthood, there was a period of time when writers were just writing about vampires and other devilish creatures that I had no interest in reading. I missed that period on purpose. During these years, I also had small to pre-teen to teenaged children so I was good if I managed to read four books a year. Now that I am, almost, an empty-nester, I have some leisurely time to read. However, I will say, I am totally busy as I am the COO of a health care company PLUS I am involved in church and several community organizations AND creating the Bookaholic podcast, YouTube channel and blog. Whew! I do make time for what I love.

Thank you so much for reading this blog and supporting Bookaholic. Let's take this reading journey together.