We are finally getting back on our feet. The boys are better and we are working on Michael. We are excited to have gotten back to "normal" with preschool, speech and my occasional days at Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve. And now that we are, we might actually have something of a decent snow storm (here's hoping we can post pictures of a snowman soon!)
One of the things that always helps me through times, especially the sick ones, has always been books. I'm most excited to see Graeme starting to love them, too. He requests a bedtime story every night and if not told "correctly" he will let us know. His favorite book right now is a collection of fairy tales retold with Mickey Mouse and friends in the main roles.
Between working years and discovering motherhood I had gotten away from reading without really realizing it. Then, some friends and I started doing a book club 3 years ago which started my journey back to reading and really expanded my tastes. I've discovered a love of nonfiction and found many books I may not otherwise have ever read.
I've also added a few personal challenges to my reading lists over the last few years. My first one that I started was the tackling of Agatha Christie novels. A year ago I read a collection of letters she wrote while on a Grand Tour of the world and I realized that somehow I had never read the world's bestselling author. Now I have read over 40 of her books and short story collections.
My other challenge that I have undertaken came about from being a mom. I want my children to love books. There are many books that I loved as a child that I want to pass on to my children (Charlotte's Web, Bridge to Terabithia, etc) but I also wanted to discover what had come out in the many, many, many years since I discovered books.
I decided to read all the Newbery books that have come out since I was born (plus some of the earlier ones as well). I was quite shocked by how few I had read before I started this challenge. I have loved many and been delighted by books like the Tale of Desperaux, Holes, and When You Reach Me. I have been baffled at what others found so wonderful in a few. Have you read the book that won the year you were born?
Hopefully, as my boys learn to read, I'll be able to help them find something that will spread my addiction to the next generation.
What a great post! I have to admit that I have to make a real effort to be able to read myself (except in transit in the passenger seat of a car). However, it's a ritual that we read to Ava and Isaac every night and they don't let us forget it either :)
ReplyDeleteI would like to incorporate reading into my "me" time for sure.
P.S. Someday we will come see you and we will go play and read on the beach!