When the skies turn dark and weather cold, put down the phone and pick up a book
It started with a story about Jim Thorpe.
Then Jesse Owens.
And Jackie Robinson.
Knute Rickne and the legendary Notre Dame football program.
Every couple of weeks, the book mobile parked in front of the old St. Philip Catholic Grade School. Grade by grade, in small groups, we climbed aboard. I checked out a few books every time. My goal was to read all sports-related books on the bus.
It was the 1960s. The book mobile was from the East St. Louis Public Library. It smelled like old books inside. During winter, the book mobile also smelled like engine exhaust because the driver had to leave the motor running for heat inside.
The popular Hardy Boys adventure books went fast. I wasn’t interested unless the Hardy Boys were playing a ballgame. Instead, I read about great athletes, teams and championship games.
Sam Snead.
Stan Musial.
The Gas House Gang.
That’s my first memory of when I started reading books. I learned a lot from reading. I still read a lot of books. Old-fashioned books with paper pages. A hardback book is cool. Paperbacks save you money, though.
I am not a well-read scholar; just a guy who likes to read.
If the library was a swimming pool, I’d spend most of my time in the shallow end. Reading makes me think and helps me to understand other views, backgrounds, thoughts, opinions.
Annually, this is my most challenging time of year. Clocks have been turned back. Cold, wet weather ahead. It’s dark a lot. Like everyone, I spend more time indoors than outdoors. Go to bed earlier.
Good news: It’s Read-a-Book season.
I don’t always invest in buying new books. I have a stack of books that I’ve started but not completed. I also re-read books, occasionally. Some books are better the second time around.
There are many benefits to reading books. Do a Google search: It reduces stress. Improves sleep. Enhances brain function. Boosts focus and concentration: Increases knowledge. Expands vocabulary. Improves memory.
For me, there are a few other benefits of reading books:
- I am not on my phone, or paying attention to TV or radio news. Books, generally, are more rewarding than social media.
- Less focus on snacks. I eat when I’m bored. Sometimes that means I am hungry. Mostly, I’m not. I’m snacking because I’m bored. Reading keeps my mind occupied.
- To write well, you have to read good writers. That came from my old college professor, Bill Ward. He was a good writer. And a big reader.
I have favorite authors, subjects and styles. I’m into non-fiction and biographies. I like to read about real people and events more than fiction. I’m still into sports. I read about history and wars. I am not into self-help books. I would not listen anyway.
Three books that I have read in recent winters and plan to read again this winter:
- “I Keep Trying to Catch His Eye” by Ivan Maisel (Hachette Books, 2021). A memoir of loss, grief and love by a longtime ESPN writer about his son. Well written. Poignant.
- “Let’s Go (So We Can Get Back)” by Jeff Tweedy. A memoir of recording and discording by Tweedy, a Belleville native, I enjoyed the Belleville references.
- “You Ought To Do A Story About Me” by Ted Jackson. A story about addiction, friendship and a quest for redemption.
This dark, cold, winter season, I encourage you to put down the phone and find a good book — something new, or old, written by someone who doesn’t look like you, or think like you.
This story was originally published November 8, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
