Bookworm

How does one become a reader? Is it something you are born with, a love of reading? Are there differet types of readers? Book readers, magazine readers, speed readers, avid readers, casual readers. What makes someone an avid reader? Do they reach some weekly quota? I love to read books, novels, but where did this love of reading come from?
I know my Mom did not read to me in the womb, but maybe she read to herself when she was pregnant with me. My Dad read to me when I was little. I remember crying when he read about Rudoph being teased and left out of all the reindeer games by the other reindeer. Was that an indication that the written word could touch me deeply and speak to something inside me? Or was I just an oversensitive little girl who tended to (and still does) irrationally project human emotions onto animals?
Growing up I saw my Mom and Dad read, but I wouldn't say avidly. My mom was pretty tired and busy and worked nights, thus she didn't have much time for reading. Although now she truly enjoys reading and is as avid a reader as someone who is 80 years old with sight in basically only one eye can be. My Dad tended toward newspapers. I read the standbys, Are You There God itsMe Margaret, some "Little House" books, a few "Nancy Drew". In 8th Grade I read the Outsiders and it is still one of my favorites. Of course, I read the obligatory sex parts in Flowers in the Attic when it was passed around the school, then read the whole book which really ruined the excitement of the sex parts once read in context.
High School actually put a damper on the whole reading for pleasure since there were so many books I had to read. Most of them not so fun. College - ditto. It was not until I broke up with my live-in boyfriend (who was a big reader, js) in my late 20s, had the summer off (I am a teacher) and a public pool pass. That summer I really got back into reading again. I decided to try out some of Oprah's picks even though I was a year or so behind. I believe I started with Deep End of the Ocean and I was hooked. I began devouring the books on her list and got a pretty nice tan to boot. I haven't looked back since; I even have a reading room in my house. It is possible I was single-handedly keeping Borders in business for a few years until I recently discovered the joys of the public library.
So am I an avid reader? Who knows? More time to read would be nice, but sometimes I think I use reading as an escape. But as far as modes of escape go, it is pretty harmless and sometimes I even learn things. My ideal job would be to have someone pay me to read books and then give my opinion on them. Until that job comes along though, I now have this blog.