I cringed when something hit David at the back of his head in the New York subway. Just as I was about to find out if he was okay, I got distracted when the jam-packed train started emptying of its passengers.
Just like David, in a split second, I jumped from the New York subway to the Singapore MRT. Unlike him, though, I jumped from a literal-as-in-literature world to my literal-as-in-real one.
Just in time, too, as this was my stop already, which I would have missed, if it had not been the busiest stop, where everyone goes down, which called my attention. Hastily and reluctantly, I left New York behind and made my way back to Singapore.
Jumper is the story of a kid who discovers that he has the power to teleport, or to “jump” from one place to another without having to move his legs like normal people do. This novel, released in 1992, was where the film with the same title was loosely based. Wouldn’t it be so cool if I had David’s power?
Then I realized that I have always had that power. I can jump from one world to another when I bury myself in reading.
I have been told on more than one occasion that I am kind of scary when I’m absorbed in my reading because then, no one could disturb me, as though everyone in my near vicinity didn’t exist.
Indeed, when I’m absorbed in my reading, I have the tendency to tune out the actual world. So much so that when I’m feeling bad in real life, I make like a junkie and look for the fix that would take me out of my misery.
The reverse also happens, though. When something bad happens in what I’m reading, my heart hurts, not distinguishing between fantasy and reality.
I’ve had this “addiction” ever since I was a child. My dad had been able to avail of some books from a ship that sank off a nearby coast. When I wasn’t poring over those story books with their colored pictures, I flipped through the yellowed pages of the Reader’s Digests my mom had owned when she was still single.
At first I did not want to read material with no pictures. Then I discovered Sweet Valley Twins, and from then on, there was little I wouldn’t read. My classmates started teasing me as “Mother Brain” because I had supposedly read all the books in the library. This was not true, by the way… I don’t think I read the dictionary and all the encyclopaedias.
I kept on reading well into high school and college. As I read more, my preferences changed. I outgrew the cheesy romance novels and series as I got introduced to the good writers – the ones that made the New York Times bestseller lists.
Lately I haven’t been reading very much, because I have been lazy, I suppose. I have preferred brainless activities like scrolling through social media or watching TV over reading.
But truth be told, I do miss reading books, and teleporting to different worlds.
I need to rectify that. I shall dig out my iPad mini and start reading books again.
Let the jumping begin.
 |
| This post was my entry for Write or Die Wednesdays, whose prompt for this week is the photo on top of this post. Join in! |
Oh, I fully agree with you! I feel like something's missing when I don't get into a book for a while. I've been in the books more consistently over the last few months, and it's amazing more much more natural it feels. I hope you find something great to read next. =)
Oh, I fully agree with you! I feel like something's missing when I don't get into a book for a while. I've been in the books more consistently over the last few months, and it's amazing more much more natural it feels. I hope you find something great to read next. =)
The internet/social media has been stealing my time from reading too. I wish I can easily stick to a schedule (when to read and stop scrolling in my phone). But it's a challenge!<br /><br />Thanks for writing this. A book lover like me could really relate and appreciate the message.
I love how you began this post! So true! I am just like that when I am reading, too. I get so absorbed in it!!
I can't tell you how many times I've missed a stop because I've been reading. I love that feeling that you get when you read, like you're right there in the story with them. I may have just started traveling the world in real life, but I feel like I've already been places like Hogwarts and Antarctica and lost at sea.
I love how you began this post! So true! I am just like that when I am reading, too. I get so absorbed in it!!
Good for you! I do hope I find something great to read, something that will get me hooked!
I'm kinda glad to know that I'm not the only one who misses stops because of books, haha! Yes, it feels wonderful to have travelled in this way!
Thanks, and glad to meet a fellow bookworm! 🙂
I get really absorbed when I'm reading, too. It's one of my biggest pet peeves when I'm reading and somebody keeps trying to talk to me. It's like, helloooo, do you not see the magic that's happening here? Shhhh. 🙂 Hope you pick up some books and get back into reading. I get withdrawals if I go without reading for too long! <br /><br /><br />I'm so glad you linked up with
Glad you agree! Thanks for dropping by!
Ah yes, it's a tough challenge! I find it so hard! You're welcome and thanks too, for reading!
Hahahaha, EXACTLY! Get a hint, people! <br />I would love to join again!
I love how you pointed out the upside and downside of being totally wrapped up in a book. There have been books that totally altered (read: broke) my heart by taking true events and reminding me that they actually happened to human beings. Non-fiction and fiction alike.<br /><br />For example, "Uncle Tom's Cabin". I know it is historical fiction, but to know that human beings were
Yes if you're very empathetic, it is very easy to feel the same pain that the people in the books are feeling as well.
Good for you! I do hope I find something great to read, something that will get me hooked!
I can't tell you how many times I've missed a stop because I've been reading. I love that feeling that you get when you read, like you're right there in the story with them. I may have just started traveling the world in real life, but I feel like I've already been places like Hogwarts and Antarctica and lost at sea.
Thanks, and glad to meet a fellow bookworm! 🙂
The internet/social media has been stealing my time from reading too. I wish I can easily stick to a schedule (when to read and stop scrolling in my phone). But it's a challenge!<br /><br />Thanks for writing this. A book lover like me could really relate and appreciate the message.
I get really absorbed when I'm reading, too. It's one of my biggest pet peeves when I'm reading and somebody keeps trying to talk to me. It's like, helloooo, do you not see the magic that's happening here? Shhhh. 🙂 Hope you pick up some books and get back into reading. I get withdrawals if I go without reading for too long! <br /><br /><br />I'm so glad you linked up with
Ah yes, it's a tough challenge! I find it so hard! You're welcome and thanks too, for reading!
I'm kinda glad to know that I'm not the only one who misses stops because of books, haha! Yes, it feels wonderful to have travelled in this way!
I love how you pointed out the upside and downside of being totally wrapped up in a book. There have been books that totally altered (read: broke) my heart by taking true events and reminding me that they actually happened to human beings. Non-fiction and fiction alike.<br /><br />For example, "Uncle Tom's Cabin". I know it is historical fiction, but to know that human beings were
Hahahaha, EXACTLY! Get a hint, people! <br />I would love to join again!
Yes if you're very empathetic, it is very easy to feel the same pain that the people in the books are feeling as well.
Glad you agree! Thanks for dropping by!