One of the greatest feelings in the world is being able to spend a night under a blanket with a hot cup of tea and a good book. There is nothing like becoming lost in an entirely different world and becoming so deeply invested in a character’s life that it feels like your own.

I learned this lesson at a very early age. I can’t remember a time where I wasn’t in love with reading. My earliest memory of this is in kindergarten. We would have to pick out a book and read to the teacher during the day. While most kids were picking out short stories with basic words, I would read the more advanced chapter books.

It only progressed from there. In elementary school, my teacher had a cabinet full of book and over the course of the school year I went through most of them. I opted to spend most of my recesses in the library. When I wasn’t helping to check out and put away books, I was sitting in the big, comfy bean bag chairs reading the entirety of book series’ like A Series of Unfortunate Events and The Babysitter’s Club. When I did go outside, while the other girls were fighting with the boys to let them play football, I was fine with sitting on the steps with my nose buried in my latest story.

It’s not like I wasn’t met with scrutiny. Kids thought it was weird that I always had a book in my hands. They’d snicker when I sat at my desk so clearly engrossed in my latest book. People in high school wondered why I would rather read than be on my phone or talk to the “popular” kids.

I’ve even had teachers question me. In elementary school, after I would finish my assignments for the day I’d spend the free time reading and this teacher started yelling at me for it.

Despite the ups and downs, after spending my life being the biggest book lover I know and filling my head with endless stories, there are a few things I’ve learned.

1. If you have a book, you can never be bored.

If you have a whole world in your hands, how can you possibly say you’re bored?

2. People who judge don’t understand.

They don’t understand the joy and satisfaction that comes with a good book and I feel sorry for them.

3. It turns into an addiction.

But I’m sure my parents would be happier with me being addicted to books than drugs. I know what I would rather spend my money on.

4. Finding someone who likes the same books is amazing.

The conversations you have with them are endless. It’s absolutely glorious.

5. You always carry a book with you.

I try not to go anywhere without a book. You never know when you’ll need it.