Reading.

fashionlover10

tea_lover wrote: »

Totally agree pukkamum. I don't have a kindle but do have some books available on my DS. It's handy, but just not the same as an actual book (or several hundred actual books). I much prefer second-hand books, there's something rather soul-less about new books. Although, imo there's something rather soul-less about hardback books as well... no, I can't explain that one!

I agree there is something about hardbacks, they just feel 'not right' to me. Would much prefer a paperback. Nothing beats the smell of walking into a second hand book store.

pukkamum

tea_lover wrote: »

Totally agree pukkamum. I don't have a kindle but do have some books available on my DS. It's handy, but just not the same as an actual book (or several hundred actual books). I much prefer second-hand books, there's something rather soul-less about new books. Although, imo there's something rather soul-less about hardback books as well... no, I can't explain that one!

Haha I agree with all the above, I too don't like hardbacks but I think that may be more to do with trying to read them whilst lay on my side in bed, virtually impossible without getting hand cramp, the Stephen King I am reading at the mo is hardback with a gazillion pages, I have to stop reading some nights due to hand fatigue!

Bennifred

I come from a family of readers, and OH is a reader,too. Books all over the house. Our three (now grown up) boys all read for pleasure. One of my fondest memories is the first time we caught DS3 (who is dyslexic and couldn't read until he was about 8) reading under the duvet long after his bedtime. Hard to be stern when you just want to dance jubilantly in the hallway! :j

I agree that a love of reading is the greatest gift you can give a child - if you can read you can learn anything!

lostinrates

pukkamum wrote: »

Hmm I'm not sure were I stand on the kindle, I just don't think it can compare to the feeling of a book in your hand, I actually prefer second hand ones, I say its because the spine is broken in therefore easier to read, but if I'm honest its the smell, does that make me weird?
I like now passing books I have read on to my kids, lyla has my faraway tree series in her room complete with drawings and ticks I made playing schools when I was little.
I like seeing the rows of books on the shelf and rediscovering ones I haven't read for years but will enjoy again.
I feel the kindle is somewhat soulless, I have found some weird and wonderful things in second hand books, including a whole rose, pressed, a spider, dead and squashed, photos, train tickets not to mention comments written in margins, I love them all.

I agree, nothing will ever reach books, especially second hand, annotated ones with folded over corners.

BUT, with nothing else to do in a day I can easily read 4 to six properly meaty books. Dh first started talking about kindle when I was still able to go away with him for work conferences. For a two night stay away my treat was a big book purchase at the airport, E.g. Paris, I'd read two before we got to the hotel. If we go away for a week we have been known to post some of my books back because of luggage issues . (Any light reading type stuff I just leave in hotels or gift to other travellers ) .

Having kindle on the iPad has been amazing. I am very weak at times Today going to the hospital for example, I wouldn't have been able to handle more than my handbag and the book I am reading. But I can take my iPad, and choose to be here (the hospital is wifi connected) or read any one of the books I have on it. Going away will be revelutionised I think.

Any real loves of books I'll buy real copies of.. But our books issues are no laughing matter. We have books along the top of our stairs, around our landing, lining a wall of our dining room. (There is a photo on mse somewhere of those, they are all cook books) then in boxes stacked in the study which is waiting to be shelved and will probably take books double stacked. Our bedroom also has books in. . I gift them often, to clients, to friends, to charity shops......by my front door.........:o

lostinrates

fashionlover10 wrote: »

I agree there is something about hardbacks, they just feel 'not right' to me. Would much prefer a paperback. Nothing beats the smell of walking into a second hand book store.

I like a hard back, but hate fly covers.

pukkamum

lostinrates wrote: »

I like a hard back, but hate fly covers.

Me too, they get flung off immediately!

jackomdj

I love reading. I read in bed, in the bath, in the car, whilst waiting for the children and in the evening if OH is watching something I am not interested in.

OH bought me a kindle a couple of years ago. Before I got it I was not sure, as I like holding a book. But IMO it is brilliant, you can put a huge selection on and just decide what to read.

We are driving to the South of France for our summer holiday (I say we, OH does all the foreign driving) which leaves me with 12 hours each way to read :j

Also this year will be the first where I feel comfortable reading by the pool whilst the girls are in it. I am sure I will look up every few words but its a start.

OH reads bike and fitness magazines and sometimes bike books, but he does not enjoy reading like I do.

I think my children will take after me. The 8 year old has just flown through " a series of unfortunate events", her bedroom looks like a library, including all my old Enid Blyton books.

Goldiegirl

Dunroamin wrote: »

I think a love of reading is one of the greatest gifts a parent can give a child.

That is so true.

From my earliest memories I've always loved books and reading.

I always had picture books to look at and my mum dad would read to me.

I learnt to read before I started school, and loved getting books out of the library. I seem to remember liking Topsy and Tim and Orlando the Marmalade Cat.

Then I moved on the all the Enid Blyton books and Nancy Drew and anything else I could let my hands on.

I remember reading some very unsuitable horror stories when I was about 11 !

I started on classic novels from about age 12 - Jane Eyre remains a favourite to this day and I've read it several times. The first time I read it my main interest was Jane's life as a child, after about 3 years my main interest was Mr Rochester.

My husband used to read an occasional book when he felt like it, but about 10 years ago he started reading more often, and now he reads every day, just like me.

We are both Kindle owners, and as the Kindles are registered on the same account, we can share books. It's quite companionable both reading together, and we can chat about what we've read later.

My husband got his Kindle first. Before that, I always thought I preferred the feel of a book ..... but as soon as he got his Kindle I thought it was great and got one myself a couple of months later.

I still buy a couple of books secondhand, but most of my reading is now on the Kindle.

I average about 1 - 2 books a week. It used to be more, but I also like doing jigsaws, and now I spend time on MSE too.

Tiglath

We both read a lot, especially at night. I also read during my commute. DH prefers paper books and will read maybe one a week, whereas I have moved over to my Kindle except where the book I want isn't available for it and I read maybe 3 a week. We also each have a bathroom book for those times of 'quiet contemplation' but I've been known to read the wrappers of toilet paper if I've run out of books to read in there.

kingfisherblue

Reading is one of life's greatest pleasures, and a love of reading is definitely one of the best gifts a parent can give to a child.

I have been an avid reader for as long as I can remember. When I was a child, the supermarket used to open late on a Thursday, until 7pm. Whilst Mum and Dad did the shopping, my sister and I were in the library choosing the books we wanted to read that week. Happy memories.....

My ex wasn't much of a reader, but he did start reading when we married. I don't know if he still reads, but he took his books with him when he left. When I first met him, he had two picture books to his name - one about Trumpton and one about a soldier. Both were given to him as Sunday school prizes when he was very young. When he left, he had three large boxes of books.

Our children are all keen readers as well. My daughter has books both at home and at her boyfriend's house.

My older son has Down's Syndrome and didn't learn to read until he was 9. He spent hours looking at books, turning the pages correctly adn following the words with his finger, but muttering the story and what he could see in the pictures, rather than actually reading the words. When he learned to read properly, it was, and still is, a joy to hear him reading his stories. He now has a reading age of nine, and is fifteen years old. He probably won't improve much more, and doesn't understand all of the words in books for nine year olds. He can't manage to follow a longer story, so he sticks to a wide range of shorter books and can read several in a day. If he's quiet, which he often is, I don't worry that he's getting into mischief - I know he's reading

My youngest is 13 and also enjoys reading, although he prefers his Kindle to actual books (strange boy :rotfl:). Again, he reads every day. He was always classed as a good reader at primary school, but in secondary, he tests as below average. Today, he has been invited to participate in a scheme for reluctant readers. I think this is the one:

http://www.literacytrust.org.uk/premier_league_reading_stars

Now, I am happy for him to be involved, but the letter home said it was to encourage more regular reading. He already reads (for pleasure) daily. It may not increase the amount he reads, but hopefully he will reach his full potential. I have spoken to his teachers previously about his reading, and it is possible that his lack of confidence (major problem!) and the way he rushes through his work without taking the time to read instructions properly or to check afterwards, may be the reasons he is behind with his reading level.

Having said that, he reads adult books sometimes (nothing saucy :rotfl:, I was thinking of 'Mud, Sweat and Tears' by Bear Grylls, as an example). He asks if he doesn't understand anything, and is happy to use a dictionary. He has just finished reading this, which he recommended to me as 'very interesting':

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Free-Country-Penniless-Adventure-ebook/dp/B0085W00M8/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1372087247&sr=1-1&keywords=free+britain

I still read with my two boys, and enjoy it, but there is nothing like curling up under the covers with a good book when the house is quiet

Happy reading everyone