National Read a Book Day 2024

In my personal case, reading isn't really what it is for most recreational readers. I stopped reading recreationally shortly after my hitch in the Navy was up because I became immersed in the path to subject matter expertise in an effort to earn a living post military service.

First it was anatomy and physiology for a long while. Then it became LAN, WAN, client-server, AI, 4GLs, and expert systems for the duration. That which began evolved to something totally different.

Today is National Read a Book Day. It happens each September 6 as a vehicle for all book lovers to indulge in their favorite hobby allegedly without guilt. I would never feel guilt as a consequence of reading.

Reading for pleasure is a strange notion for me given the fact that everything on my bookshelf is highly technical and without wands, fantasy, or lovey dovey.

While I consider recreational reading a fine diversion and endeavor it simply has not ever been a luxury for which I had adequate time. The last recreational reading I did was aboard the USS MacDonough somewhere in the North Atlantic reading Stephen King's Salems Lot.

It scared the crap out of me.

Everything since then has been something I needed for a certification exam or to teach a class.

Yes, required reading makes Dave a dull boy otherwise. I find I relate less to others because we have increasingly less in common due to those pursuits essential to my life. That in a nutshell would be the reading of some technical tome.

I don't read for others. Oprah and her book club couldn't get the time of day read to her by me. She is just another dullard who preys upon the public to their squeeling and grunting delight.

Happy National Read a Book Day. I hope you get to read everything you do because it's something you want, not something you need.