Karen’s Chat on Magic Pictures

I’m usually an eBook reader, but will sometimes read a paperback. This picture was the “sometimes,” and the book was a hardback. I didn’t want to read it on my Kindle as it’s almost a 1000 pages long. Too big for a paperback, and being solid, made its sturdy enough to rest on my lap on a pillow.

My husband, who is not a reader, glanced over at the pages above and said, ‘I can think of nothing more boring.’ I looked down at all the words and a memory drifted in.

When I was a child, I loved my books, and being very young, I’d look at my dad’s and saw pages full of words. Against my lovely picture books, I’d think, ‘how boring.’

Dad always had a book in his hand and he used to completely vanish into the story. It became a standing joke if we saw him reading.

‘Dad,’ one of us would say. ‘Can I have a million pounds?’ 
Nothing. 
‘Dad I’m just taking your car keys and driving to London.’ 
Zilch. 
It was a great game for us kids.

I never wanted to be like that. I preferred to be aware of my surroundings and who was talking to me. I tend to read while my husband watches television. Or if there are others in the room, I’m still aware of what’s going on. (With only a few slip ups!)

When my husband uttered those words, I realised I was doing something I hadn’t done in a while. It’s that thing that makes reading magic.

The radio was on low and the room quiet. I had nowhere to go and nothing to do. With the atmosphere being just right, I disappeared into the pages.

When he brought me back into the room with his observation. I realised something; they are not just words on a page. They are magic pictures that you can’t see at first glance.

At that moment I was sitting in the House of Commons observing a conversation between an MP, and Cormoran Strike and Robin Ellicott. In my mind I saw the actors Tom Burke and Holliday Grainger who play the characters in the TV series. They discussed the MPs son who was missing in a cult. I knew from the book description that Robin would eventually go there undercover. The thought was exciting, What would happen to her? How would she not become indoctrinated?

Having read the previous six books, I knew I was in for a rocky and absorbing ride.

Creating the right atmosphere for reading is important. They are never just words. They are talking and moving images that appear in your head that only you can see. Everyone’s interpretation of them is different, yet the same.

The world ceases to exist and it’s only when someone breaks the spell, you realise you’re sitting in your lounge with the radio playing and for me, my husband now snoring softly in his chair.