Surprise!  I thought I would be spending today driving home from Utah, but we decided to end our vacation a day early so I'm already home, safe and sound.  We had a lovely time celebrating the Fourth of July in Provo, a town that does the holiday to the max.  Houses are decorated; people deck themselves out in red, white, and blue; there's a big parade for which spectators camp out overnight to get good seats; and much more.  We decided at the last minute to skip the parade (been there, done that—a million times) and we actually missed the fireworks that we always watch from the lawn of the Provo temple because after hanging out there for a couple hours my daughter and I really had to go to the bathroom and there are no facilities on site), but we did end up seeing fireworks going off all over the valley as we drove home over the bench that night.  The kids stood up in my van's moon roof as we drove and oohed and ahhed all the way back to where we were staying.  In addition to those festivities, we enjoyed the beautiful Utah scenery, spending time with extended family, and road-tripping with three of our four kids (our married son came with us, although his wife couldn't make it, but our college daughter had to stay home and study for her summer classes—boo hoo).  At any rate, it was a lovely vacation all around.  Even though I will  miss Utah's cool nights, it is good to be home.

Today's Top Ten Tuesday prompt is an easy one (thank goodness!)—reasons why we love reading.  I'm excited to see everyone's answers.  If you want to participate, click on over to That Artsy Reader Girl to get all the details.

1.  It's just what I do!—Ever since I learned to read, I've inhaled books.  I've always loved them and I always will.  

2.  Learning about different times, people, and places—Reading is my favorite way to learn about experiences that differ from my own.  I love sinking into a book that allows me to explore new places, soak up history, meet interesting people, and do things I can never do in real life.

3.  Gaining new perspectives—Slipping into someone else's shoes for a time allows me to see the world through their perspective.  It always helps me look at my own world in a new way.

4.  Pure entertainment—I'm not a tv watcher and I don't have many hobbies, so reading is my primary source of entertainment.  I'd rather pick up a book than do most other things.  There's nothing like a good read to kick-start my imagination and deliver some safe thrills.

5.  I'm never bored!—Whenever my kids complain about not having anything to do, I tell them to read a book.  They generally roll their eyes (since reading is my answer to everything, apparently), but what they should really do is follow my advice because I'm never bored.  Books keep me engaged whether I'm waiting for a doctor's appointment, in a long pick-up line, on a plane flight, or just hanging out at home.

6.  I love words and language—I've always been a word nerd who appreciates a beautiful, evocative, funny, creative, or clever turn of phrase.  I'm the kind of reader who literally sighs over lovely prose!

7.  Reading deepens my empathy—Like I said above, reading is my favorite way to learn about experiences other than my own.  Slipping on someone else's persona, even for a short time, helps me to see things anew.  It deepens my appreciation and respect for the fact that we're all different.  A greater understanding of someone else's life (whether fictional or non-) allows me to have more empathy for those I interact with in real life.

8.  Book people=my people—It's important to find your tribe and this is mine.  I love talking books with other bibliophiles.  We understand each other in a way that non-bookish people just...don't.

9.  Books are my comfort objects—As a child, I sucked my thumb and carried around a ragged baby blanket to help me self-soothe.  Once I discovered books, they started to serve the same purpose—and still do.  Reading comforts me, no matter how I'm feeling.  If I'm happy, I reach for a book.  If I'm sad, I grab my nearest read (and some chocolate).  If I'm anxious, I lose myself in words.  If I'm nervous...you get the idea.

10.  Books just make me happy!—Enough said.    

Why do you love to read?  I'd truly love to know.  Leave me a comment on this post and I will gladly return the favor on your blog.