Incredibly, a season of baseball and Hitting the Books is at an end. All adventures - and Hitting the Books was an adventure - have their twists and turns, but I must say, this adventure has been straight as an arrow and immensily enjoyable.

The passion for reading that glowed from guests on this blog at times took me aback, and in the most positive way. No one ever had to think about a favorite book to discuss. The answer was always on their tongue's edge. Such is the staying power of reading.

Thank you to every guest. Inviting guests was not initially planned, but once Buck Showalter offered to discuss his favorite, we just kept inviting folks in this baseball business and away we went.

Roswell Encina and the staff at the Enoch Pratt Free Public Library went above and beyond the call of duty. Their weekly recommendations brought an insight from those who have taken their love of reading to a public service level. I cannot thank them enough.

Baltimore, this library is a city treasure. Use it. Support it.

The editing and video work for this blog by Lindsay Rykiel and Pete Kerzel of MASNsports.com made this effort a treat. They were there with support at every turn and we simply had great fun putting this together. Thanks.

To you who tuned in, thanks. I sincerely appreciate the comments made and tried to respond to as many as possible. I hope the reading lists that resulted expanded your reading enjoyment.

Reading matters. It matters to the child whose growth will be exponentially expanded for every book read or read to him or her.

It matters to parents who by promoting and sharing reading in the home will connect with their kids in a profound and lasting way.

It matters to every adult because reading is a chance to enjoy, to grow, to learn, to question and to think.

And your favorite book is? And why?

Read on!

Gary Thorne is the play-by-play voice of the Orioles on MASN, and the 2015 season is his ninth with the club and 30th covering Major League Baseball. His blog will appear regularly throughout the season. The Orioles and Sarasota County have partnered on the Big League Reader Program, which rewarded kids who read three books in February with tickets to a Grapefruit League game at Ed Smith Stadium in March.

* Hitting the Books with Gary Thorne. © Copyright 2015 Gary F. Thorne. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog's author is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Gary F. Thorne and MASNsports.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.