Reading.

Lagoon

fashionlover10 wrote: »

I was read to a lot as a child, taken to the library at least once a week and had a floor to ceiling bookcase absolutely packed with books whilst growing up. A bookcase was actually my first 'must buy' when OH and I moved in to our first home.

I think a child's upbringing in regards to reading has an impact on whether or not they read as an adult.

As a child, I ADORED books. I loved reading anything and everything. Of course it started with the reading books in the first year of school, followed by the Mr. Men books and Roald Dahl. Wind in the Willows was a favourite when I was fairly young, and I loved everything from Enid Blyton to the Goosebumps books.

I was always chosen to go out to the 'Book Bus' when it came to our school, and to choose the new books for the school library. Book Fairs were the most exciting events of the year, and I read a book a day (three to five a day for the annual Read-a-thon, does that still happen?)

Now, a book a year is optimistic. Why? I'd say the biggest reason is that the internet came into my life when I was eleven. I'm always so busy on the internet, and would prefer to spend my free time creating and interacting, so I just can't find a time when all I want to do is sit and read a book.

I guess another factor for me was the lack of books aimed at a teenage audience. I was a very high level reader, and actually remember resorting to Stephen King books when I could find nothing to read at the school library. Apparently the first Harry Potter book came out in 1997, but I couldn't afford it and don't think I read it until demand finally settled in 1999/2000 and I could find it on the library shelves. I'm fairly certain that the Harry Potter books were almost the only ones I read in my teenage years and into early adulthood, on about a two-year delay.

Alice Sebold's 'The Lovely Bones' was recommended by a girl at my school, who explained the plot and made me desperate to read it. With so few other books to interest me, I have no doubt that if I'd not read that book I wouldn't have bothered to read at all as an adult. I loved that book, and it helped me to identify the authors/styles I'd be interested in, but the internet still has my attention far more. It's why there are books sitting on the shelf that I know I WOULD love, if only I could switch off and read them.

tayforth

I also find that I read a lot less since getting my iPhone in particular... the Internet does take up a lot of my time, and I carry my phone everywhere, whereas I wouldn't have sat in front of my PC all evening.

But even online, I am only attracted to sites that have a 'narrative', such as the MSE forum, blogs and news sites. I don't bother with 'game' sites, or anything that doesn't have a written storytelling element.

neverdespairgirl

I read a lot - I always have done. I read to my son most days, too, he loves being read to. We're half-way through Swallows and Amazons at the moment.

I read everywhere - trains, buses, bus stops, court waiting rooms, walking along the road - everywhere!

OH reads less than me, but still quite a lot. He reads mostly non-fiction, about philsophy, jurisprudence, science, sociology, economics, etc.

tayforth

I can't read while walking or cycling. If I could, my life would be complete.

moneysaymoneydo

Tayforth at least you can read in your bed without being kicked for doing so, enjoy every page from now on whilst sprawling yourself out in your bed with peace and quiet :rotfl:

tayforth

moneysaymoneydo wrote: »

Tayforth at least you can read in your bed without being kicked for doing so, enjoy every page from now on whilst sprawling yourself out in your bed with peace and quiet :rotfl:

True! And thank you

SingleSue

When I was married, one of our joint hobbies was books and reading, so we never minded the other one reading.

Out of the boys, two of them enjoy reading books (although for one of them, it is only Star Wars or 2nd world war stuff), whilst the other hates reading books but will spend hours reading music or looking at drum tabs.

Abbafan1972

I read both Kindle books and paper ones. It usually depends on the price with me. A lot of the time the ebook is more expensive than the paper version, so I will buy the paper version. I don't mind if it's hard back or paper back. I find that hard back books stay open better on the desk and are easier to hold. I get achy hands trying to hold a paper back.

I like my Kindle and mainly get free books or ones that have been drastically reduced in price. Yes, a lot of the free ones are rubbish, but I've read a couple of good ones and have been pleasantly surprised. The Kindle I can place on the arm of the chair/desk and still have my hands free to eat my lunch with, all I need is my finger every so often to press the continue button.

I am past 90% on my current book (a crime novel) and I've just bought the hardback version of "Now And Forever" by Bernie Nolan, so I may start that one next and I have "Ben" by Kerry Needham on order. I like Autobiography books, but not by these trashy so-called celebrities.

kittendothroar

I love reading but my boyfriend doesn't own a single book , or not that I've found since moving in last month!

I tend to read in the loo, is my quiet time! Sometimes I might take a book and lounge on sofa if no one else around but a rare opportunity

lostinrates

kittendothroar wrote: »

I love reading but my boyfriend doesn't own a single book , or not that I've found since moving in last month!

I tend to read in the loo, is my quiet time! Sometimes I might take a book and lounge on sofa if no one else around but a rare opportunity

I have talked a lot about books with my serious partners in early days of relationships/dating. Tbh I don't think I would have been in serious relationships with non readers unless there was a very strong interest in some other form of the arts, but reading seems natural to me because its where my real love is and I cannot imagine not sharing beautifully written passages with my partner, or books that feel they have changed me a little.