We’re all here because we’re avid readers, right? Sitting here in my little corner of England, I think I can hear you yelling a resounding “YES’M.” I certainly should.

Next questions – why do you read, and what do you do when you finish a book? I read for four reasons. Two for fiction and two for nonfiction.

Starting with fiction, I read primarily to escape to another place. That might be another county, another small town, another time or even another world. I don’t partake of ‘travel by pages’ because my own life is rubbish, but rather because I love to explore and let’s face it, it’s much safer to climb Denali from my favorite reading chair than to actually go! In a well researched and written story, I can be a movie star, pro athlete, chocolatier, librarian, tattoo artist, landscaper designer… the list is endless. I can be on covert or black ops, hunting for Jack the Ripper,  be FBI, on a wagon train or drinking water pods in a dystopian future. All amazing. I can even dabble in things I might actually go and try (no trips to the Pacific NW are planned).

Books transport us. With first rate Christian fiction, I can see normal people facing major struggles by engaging their faith. And ever since I first discovered this genre in my early twenties, those stories have inspired and encouraged me. They have lifted my chin in seasons where life has been harder and added to the wind at my back during easier times.

But I also read fiction to learn. Authors like Lynette Eason, Lynn Blackburn, Pepper Basham and Kimberley Woodhouse (to name just four of our BRRC members) are remarkable. When I read their books and many others, I am noting down what they’re doing that pulls me in to their stories and invests me in their characters. As I writer, you’re often told your first responsibility is to read extensively in many different genres. I am here for that!

The learning doesn’t stop with the fiction of course. I read nonfiction, like most people, I suspect, to learn. For me that’s often an eclectic mix of topics. Currently my list spans everything from the Iditarod race in Alaska, to parenting with love and grace, being a better wife (I’m not a bad wife but don’t like to take that for granted so keep working), a book on writing and some reading on the 18-30 demographic, as I lead a ministry to that age group.

Nonfiction is also a wonderful place to linger if you’d like to build your faith. So there’s daily time the word, and then a study about healthy living that’s rooted in scripture, and I just picked up a book about allowing scripture to sustain us, by Barbara Brown Taylor.

My second question was what do you do when you finish reading? My answer is singular and one I’d implore you to adopt. I tell my circle of influence what I’ve read and whether it was something they’d enjoy. Most weeks I blog about books, but I also review like a fiend. I use retail sites and review sites. I write one review then copy and paste. The review doesn’t have to be lengthy. Just tell folks why you enjoyed book and why you think they might.

If I don’t love a book, I tend to not review, or else I say several kind things before explaining simply why it wasn’t for me. I will still point out who I think would better enjoy the book. Because one story or nonfiction book will never fit all, and that’s fine. I’ve read plenty of books that didn’t change my life that others rave about. My dirty little reading secret is that I don’t particularly like Francine Rivers books. Can I see the great writing and incredible impact – absolutely. Can I champion that? You bet.

Much like preorders, reviews are lifeblood to writers and they cost us nothing more than a few minutes effort. Considering the months it takes to write a book, we can do that in return, right?

So – over to you. Why do you read and can you/do you review?

@debb_hackett asks what your read and why you read, plus challenges you to share your thoughts after you reach The End, in this week's Pages of YOUR Life. Share on X

Meet Debb Hackett

Debb Hackett is a military wife who lives in England with her Royal Air Force husband and two children. She has written a Bible study for military wives and is working on a contemporary romance series that points readers to God. She loves to help lead worship, ski, bake and cheer for the Packers. You can sign up for her book reviews or weekly devotional, The Word on Wednesday here.

Debb is also a BRRC Admin and is known as Snarky Pants(!) You can visit Debb’s BRRC Author page