Couldn't agree more with you @sunravelme.

I don't like the way the world is shaped; I don't like the violence and hate and racism I see and their effect on our future. I think that education, and reading in particular, can help people escape those situations, literally and figuratively.

The first book I got completely lost in was The Hobbit and ever since then I have been addicted to that wonderful escape. I love the soporific trance of a book before bed, in preparation for coloring the dreams in my head when I finally put it down. Many times, especially when younger, I have read late into the night and then had that peculiar experience of waking with the book on my chest. Anyway, great article and nice to learn more about what drives you in your teaching and writing :-)