One of my favorite all time hobbies is reading...
The last few days I have been driving Boris crazy because I found a new series of books to read. I'm the type of person where when I am reading I am pretty much zoned out and I don't like to be distrurbed for hours at a time. I think the appeal for me is the ability to completely leave my own little life and take a break from reality. That is the reason that fantasy and romance novels are my two favorite types of books - definately the best escapes.
Boris's irritation at my long reading spurts made me start to wonder what it is about the way my brain is wired that makes it capable for me to get so involved in a book where as to other people it is just a story. I swear I literally get "lost" in the stories and I relate to the characters and I can hardly wait to find out what's next (I'm one of those people who often read the last page of a book when I am about 1/3 of the way in - I am also one of those people who will re-read a book 15 - 20 times).
The other thing that I have started to think about is whether or not I can influence someone's interest in reading. For example, if I read to Chase a lot when he is little will he become an avid reader or is that already predetermined by how his little brain is wired?
Oh heavens, yes!
ReplyDeleteHere's one of my favorite poems:
I had a mother who read to me
Sagas of pirates who scoured the sea.
Cutlasses clenched in their yellow teeth;
"Blackbirds" stowed in the hold beneath.
I had a Mother who read me plays
Of ancient and gallant and golden days;
Stories of Marmion and Ivanhoe,
Which every boy has a right to know.
I had a Mother who read me tales
Of Gelert the hound of the hills of Wales,
True to his trust till his tragic death,
Faithfulness lent with his final breath.
I had a Mother who read me the things
That wholesome life to the boy heart brings-
Stories that stir with an upward touch.
Oh, that each mother of boys were such!
You may have tangible wealth untold;
Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold.
Richer than I you can never be --
I had a Mother who read to me.
As a teacher, I can truly tell what students come from homes where reading is valued! They are much more successful readers! I think it also makes a huge impact on a child's passion for reading!
ReplyDeleteWhen I am off track AJ drags my book and my beach towel down by his swing and pulls me by the finger over so I can lay and read as I push him in his swing. : ) They totally take notice us reading...even as toddlers. He is also starting to really interact as we read to him at night. He repeats words, points to pictures, makes animal sounds, and laughs at parts he loves. He is currently in love with a book about trucks...we read it three times last night before we cut him off.
I'm totally with you on getting lost in books. Chance, I'm sure, could tell you stories of my getting in trouble for reading when I was supposed to be cleaning! I love a good romance too. Just something about capturing the way it "should" be with guys. Heh. I'm currently reading the Lemony Snicket series. I'm not totally in love with the series, but I love what the writer has done for the age group that it is written for. One of my all-time favorite books is Little Earthquakes.
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