It makes me sad when I mention a really good book I just read and the person I’m speaking to says, “Oh, I don’t read.” I must look like a deer in the headlights because I couldn’t imagine not reading. I used to get up on my soap box and go on and on. I know that the person only hears, “Blah, blah, blah.” I can see it on their faces as I extol the virtues reading, they could care less.

And I know why they don’t care. They’ve never been behind the scenes at a horse racing track to see how hard the people work, or how much they love their horses. Never looked across the water to East Egg, or met a vampire and fell in love. How could they, if they don’t read?

And those women longing for romance, and not getting it from their husbands are missing out on the heroes of the romance novels, or macho men of the mystery series. Yes, I too want my own version of Ranger. I won’t tell you who I think he’d be in real life, so I don’t spoil your imaginary version of him. I kinda like John Sandford’s Lucas Davenport, and Harlan Coben’s Winn, okay I’d take Myron Bolitar in a heartbeat, but Winn is dangerous in a way I could never fathom in real life.

I’ve been to Italy, South America, Canada, Spain, New York City. I’ve toured the underground tunnels of the River Thames, eaten in the finest restaurants in Paris, and even been in the dressing trailer on set of a blockbuster movie. Mostly I’ve witnessed murders, and watched them be solved in much more intriguing detail than CSI could ever offer. And the people I’ve met, laughed at and wept for are innumerable. And I’ve done this all without needing a passport or leaving my house. I’ve been places that people who don’t read can’t even imagine.

Best of all, I can quote obscure facts that no one needs to know, but make great cocktail party conversation. Like, “Did you know you can kill a person with just a light bulb and an old thermometer?” All you single women and men this is a great pick up line.

My current all time favorite book is Horse Heaven, by Jane Smiley. And my favorite character is a horse named Justa Bob. I laughed, cried and traveled the country to the biggest race courses, and the lowliest backsides reading this book. It was a travel back in time, as I spent many days at the track when I was younger.

Right now I’m visiting Danbury, a women’s prison on the east coast as I read Orange is the New Black.

 What is your all time favorite book, and where did it take you?

And I must say to all the authors whose books I’ve read, and to all the authors I have yet to read, thank you for showing me the world from my own back yard.