I read for enjoyment, but I always learn something from the author. I admit I do discard quite a few books before I find the right one. The main character has to be someone I either find interesting or someone I can relate to. There have been several books I stopped reading because the main character was unrelatable or unlikable.

I recently finished a book about a 30 year old woman who had severe social anxiety. I know someone like that and after reading the book, I had a new understanding of how social functions affect her. People in the story kept forcing her to attend functions in hopes her social anxiety would vanish. You know, the more you do it, the easier it becomes. I could picture my friend staying in a corner and being forced to join in when she was perfectly happy just watching. Of course a quick departure occurs after being brought into the group.

In my past, I avoided parties where I knew people would be drinking too much. My father was an alcoholic, and I can not stand being around intoxicated people. I became very good at finding excuses for not attending a party or I just left early.

I understood my friend much better after reading Ten Rules for Faking It by Sophie Sullivan and myself too. The library is one of my happy places. Just seeing so many books makes me smile in eager anticipation of what I’m going to find. Books bring me understanding, knowledge and enjoyment.