"Books Are Invisible Communities"

I heard that statement on NPR some Wednesday in the past nine months. This may have been the show about Little Libraries (which I still need to research; they intrigue me). However, the interviewee said, "Books are invisible communities," and I agreed with her on the spot. As I've pondered this statement, I realize how much is said with those four words.

1. Community addresses the relationship you build with the characters, the setting, the story, etc. Personally, I think I love books so much because of the communities, and the relationships I build with the characters in them. Perhaps that's the reason I adore rereading books--I get to visit them again, reread the development, and gain a better understanding of a character as I catch something new about them on my fifth reading of the book. I love series because you get to revisit the community, yet expand your understanding and knowledge of the community.

When I talk about favorite books, I'm talking about friends of mine. They all became friends at different stages of my life, and they all hold a special spot in my life and heart. I get super excited when I think about books I've read which have become part of my invisible community. I can talk about them as if they're friends because I've built a relationship with them, and I've made a connection to each and everyone of the communities.

2. Invisible addresses the imagination aspect. I believe deeply in developing imaginations which develops creativity. When you read, you imagine the settings, the houses, the people, the fights, the conversations, plus much more. You're not referring back to the movies and that directors imaginations lived out; you're making your own with the information provided by the author.

There's also an aspect of being able to run to your invisible community when your real community isn't going so well. I have nursed many a wound by visiting an invisible community. The downside: you may not learn to deal with real life situations; you may learn to run and hide and never attack the problem. Sometimes, the best thing is for you to leave and forget the problems for a while.

3. Community also addresses the multicultural aspect. I've visited and learned about many communities around the world which I never knew about. It's not just communities around the world; it's also communities in my own country. A part of me feels like I have a connection with different cultures because of the books I've read.

Here are some of my "Invisible Communities" from childhood, adolescence, and the beginning of adulthood: