Boys & Reading

shopndrop

My son used to love bedtime stories as a young child then lost interest in any novels, but eventually started to like factual books starting with Guinness Book of Records, which I still buy for him every Christmas. He is now 21 and is permanently reading something but still doesn't read any novels. Just let him read what he wants when he wants.

boo81

My boyfriend didnt read story books as a child but loved things like facts. He knows an untold amount about sport and history and music as these were his interests. Pick something he is already interested in or maybe a movie he likes and find a similar story in a book.

I used to like things that made me laugh and I was always a bit ahead for my age. I hated serious books though and thats a big reason I dont read much now as an adult, I have gone back and read kids books time and time again I hate anything too heavy.

Roald Dahl was my favorite especially georges marvellous medicine

LizD_2

My younger brother (18 this year), was rarely known to pick up a book for pleasure during school years. Supposedly he had Dyslexia according to his school: in fact he's just lazy and couldn't be bothered with books. He's now reading Terry Pratchett's Discworld novels.

gentlepurr

my ds is exactly the same. he is 14, and a bright lad, but just hates reading with a great passion. he does get some pleasure out of factual books though that are for things he is interested in, loves guiness book of records, and manuals for any hobby.

the only book i really saw him enjoy was mark haddon, the curious incident of the dog in the night, bits of factual stuff thrown in,a very off the wall book. dont know if that helps.

xx

Karrie

I got a shock last night. I went for my run and when I walked back into the living room my son was on the settee reading a book!!! :eek::T
I said to him "Have you seen my son anywhere?" He just gave me THE look. I said "You can't be my son, you're reading a book."

He read it for hours. And when I went to bed to read mine he joined me!! I am so gobsmacked.

I didn't make a big thing of it. Let's hope it carries on.

Nenen

Karrie wrote: »

I said to him "Have you seen my son anywhere?" He just gave me THE look. I said "You can't be my son, you're reading a book."

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:
That line made me laugh so much I spat tea all over my keyboard! :eek:

I'm dying to know... what was the book he was so engrossed in?

Karrie

It is the first Harry Potter book. I've bought them all for him in the hope that he will read them and FINALLY he is!! He was reading in bed last night. Miracles do happen.

Hope your keyboard didn't get too wet.

Nenen

Strangely enough it was the first Harry Potter book that got my youngest son hooked on reading when it first came out! :T

Once my ds had realised he could read a huge book like that (and enjoy it immensely) all by himself there was no stopping him! Mind you, as he read them as they came out, there were natural breaks in between which encouraged him to try other authors too. You might find (following experience of children I teach) that your ds will read the first one or two and then need a 'Potter break' or he'll be all Pottered out! In between you might want to try some Alex Ryder or Philip Pullman. For shorter stories my youngest ds really enjoyed Lemony Snickett too. Obviously, if he is keen to read HP books one after the other from 1-7 then encourage him to go for it!

I was talking to my headteacher recently about the hype surrounding the lastest HP book release (queues outside bookshops at midnight etc) ... saying whatever the critics might or might not say about J.K. Rowlings writing style it is just wonderful to see so many children (and adults) turned on to reading. He told me on a recent air trip almost everyone on the plane had a copy!:T :T :T

Kimitatsu

I just needed to know that I wasn't doing anything wrong. It appears it is a boy thing. :rolleyes:

No you are not it is definitely a boy thing! DS1 is currently engrossed in HP but he has always been known to read anything, DS2 however is a different matter. He is 8 and has a really high reading age but would not read a book so I can appreciate your frustration.

Gradually though he is starting to pick up different things having read every horrid henry book and Captain Underpants book he is now reading all the Tracy Beaker books. It takes them a while to get out of books with pictures I have realised! I was worried until my sons teacher told me that all she ever got her son to read was the latest magazine and the sports pages but he is now at University so I stopped stressing :rolleyes:

I loved THE look! I think we all know which one that is!!!!!:rotfl: :rotfl:

DKLS

I wouldnt worry too much, I was similar, Hated novels with a passion, but read magazines & Non-Fiction avidly, Although I did pass my English Lit GCSE, thank heavens for study guides.

Even now, if a novel hasnt grabbed me by the first chapter its put down and never picked up.