Reading.

fawd1

fashionlover10 wrote: »

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

Whilst I do agree that you can nurture a love of reading, I also think some people just don't enjoy it as much. Even going by this thread it seems that men in general don't enjoy reading for recreational purposes as much as women. My parents read to me every night, along with my 2 brothers, and yet I was the only one who read for pleasure. I still do, 2-3 books a week usually, quite often re-reads. My brothers on the other hand have never really gotten the bug, despite having the exact same encouragement. I will say however, that my vocabulary (and factual knowledge) is far superior to theirs. My younger brother once asked me if I studied loads. I had to admit that I didn't, I just loved to read, so at some point I would have read about, for example, the Russian revolution so knew more about it than they did, having not studied history.

kelfen

I am ALWAYS reading, be it in my sepcialist subjects (Tudor Britain and the Holocaust/Nazi Germany) or any of the myriad of 600 books on my Kindle app, or the 100 in my home, or the many hundreds in my parents' ....

kingfisherblue

rosalie-lavender wrote: »

I read and I made sure that all my three children-now young adults were encouraged to read. I had some opposition because my mil, although she reads herself, couldn't understand why anyone would want to have lots of books in the house. Her view was you just got them from the library which is fine, except our library only opens two days a week and is very small. My dh also tried to limit how many books the children could have on their shelves.

Luckily I won the battle and my three all read and one of the first things the boys pack to take back to uni are their books. Even my dh has taken to reading so it must have rubbed off.

This sounds a bit like my MIL - she couldn't, and still can't, understand my children's love of reading (or mine!). Mind you, she isn't a reader at all. The occasional magazine and perhaps the newspaper if FIL has finished with it, but that's all. She did read Rod Stewart's biography as she is a big fan of his, and SIL bought it for her. It took weeks, though, as she only reads a page or so at a time.

MIL thinks books and magazines make a house untidy, but then again, she thinks anything makes a house untidy :rotfl:. She can't see the point in buying books for the kids as 'they have too many anyway' :mad:

She did give in last Christmas as my older son carries a bag of books around wherever he goes. Books come above everything when it comes to what to do. He has the Kindle app on his Ipad, but doesn't bother with it - he gets his books out instead. She wouldn't get him any craft stuff though (even though he enjoys making things) because that's too untidy as well!

I'm quite happy with my untidy piles of books, as well as the neater shelves that we have . I just hope the loft floor doesn't cave in one day from the weight of the ones we have up there :eek:

loracan1

I've always enjoyed reading, quite like an audiobook too. I bought myself (with some contributions) a kobo for my birthday and it's been addictive, every spare second I get I'm reading these days.

Torry_Quine

I've always said that if I had an extra room it would be a library. I just love books and can't imagine not having something to read. My husband reads too although takes longer but it really doesn't matter the speed as long as you are enjoying it.

balletshoes

Bangton wrote: »

Interesting question - I'm up and down with reading...... I give up on books easily too...I'll read a chapter or two and think this is s**t and that's my reading over.

ah now I'm the opposite - I will persevere with a book right to the end usually. I think there are only 2 books I've ever started, which I just didn't have any enthusiasm for and which I didn't finish.

wiggywoo9

I LOVE to read!
I have well over 5,000 books, and counting, all neat and tidy in my tiny flat! I did Eng Lit at uni and I'm a lone parent, so reading is really something I'm passionate about, it's one of the best things in the world.
My son will hopefully take after me- with all the books in our home, surely some love of books will seep through!

Pthree

I read loads always have done, according to Mother once I had read all the Famous Five books by the age of 6 there was no stopping me.

I read a lot more since getting my Kindle, just the ease of not carrying around a huge book (although I did do this) means I read everywhere, on the tube, lunchtimes at my desk or in the park, if I stop for a coffee somewhere and yes if its a good book I do read when I'm walking to/ from the tube home.

I do admit that since getting a Kindle the "quality" of a lot of my reading has gone down, I blame free books, I have read some utter tripe but I very rarely don't finish a book even if it's pants.

I get it off my Dad I swear if he cant find a book he would sit with the yellow pages just for something to read!

ca55ie

I can't imagine not reading. Its my favourite hobby?, pastime? way of spending time - all of the above.
A kindle is great - so many books - so little space. but you still can't beat a good paperback :j
My favourite bedtime pastime - reading:rotfl:

tayforth

I reread too! For me, rereading a favourite book is like spending time with an old friend, I love it.

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 compares to the feel and the smell of a book, and secondhand books are even more lovely. I always enjoy finding notes in the margins or names on the inside cover (or even a photo or a ticket as you mentioned). Love the broken spines too.

I have never owned a Kindle and can't imagine having one.

Having said that, I can see the appeal of a Kindle or e-reader if you're going travelling for any length of time. But in lots of countries, you can find secondhand book shops and book exchanges - and in SE Asia, travellers tend to leave behind books that they've read in guesthouses, cafes, bars etc so that you can swap books once you're finished with them.

I often give books as gifts for new babies; Beatrix Potter and the like. They go down so well, and the recipients say that they'll become family heirlooms.

Torry_Quine wrote: »

I've always said that if I had an extra room it would be a library. I just love books and can't imagine not having something to read. My husband reads too although takes longer but it really doesn't matter the speed as long as you are enjoying it.

Yes!!!!! I would love a library. With a big comfy armchair, and a window seat for sunny days. Oh, how wonderful that would be.