Reading to a child is the best way to inspire them to read and it is a great way for you to spend time together. I have many fond memories of being read to when I was younger. A lot of my childhood memories are built on books my mom and dad and I read and loved; books that built the foundation of my reading today; books that I, in turn, love sharing with my own children.
I, like a lot of children, grew up on Dr. Seuss. His rhyming, crazy style with made up creatures and words is definitely a favoriite of mine. Fox in Socks is such a challenge to read but so fun to "nail" when reading with your children or out loud to a class. And The Cat in the Hat or Green Eggs and Ham....the list goes on. A coworker of mine reads Happy Birthday to You! every time her or her husband or children has a birthday. What a great tradition to have!
Another favorite of mine was Ferdinand the Bull. Do any of you remember the kindly bull who just wanted to sit and smell the flowers? I am sure many of you have other favorites in mind that are just sitting there waiting to be remembered. Lovely times when you sat in someone's lap and shared a story together...I remember the stories at bedtime, snuggling in before I fell asleep. This love of sharing a good story conitnues for me today.
What are your favorites from childhood? Was it a certain author or type of a book that you loved? Maybe it was just something unique about a particular story that sticks in your mind. Then again, maybe you remember the quiet times you had with your mom or dad or someone else important in your life and that is what is memorable about the stories you read. Perhaps you have forgotten about childhood stories and I have triggered some memories for you...Whatever your reading memories leave me a comment and share them with me...
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Friday, August 20, 2010
School Days article in Waverly Insider
It’s August again and the first day of school is upon us. Buying school supplies and gearing up for school always causes me to think about myself and my own first days of school. When I try to conjure up the feelings I had or remember certain years, I come up empty. I am sure that I was nervous sometimes and excited sometimes. I know that I was always ready for school to start. Being an only child whose parents lived in the country, I was definitely ready to get back to school and be with my friends when August rolled around.
For me now, as a mom, the first day of school holds a lot more significance. I have a feeling I will remember more of my children’s first days, than my own. It’s such a bittersweet day for me. Letting go of all the lazy fun times we had in summer…Watching as they get older and start new things….Knowing that they need me less and less each year…Yet, happy to see them growing and becoming more themselves each year. It’s kind of an ending, but at the same time a beginning.
I now have a Middle Schooler, a third grader and as Casey puts it, a New schooler. I can’t believe that all of my babies are going to school! The night before the first day of school, my son, Carter, said he had “belly beans,” a mixture of excitement, happiness, nervousness and uncertainty all bouncing around in his stomach. Emily, my middle schooler, was wondering how she was going to find all of her classes and where to go when she first got there. Casey, my preschooler/new schooler, didn’t start school on the same day, but we had an appointment to go and meet his new teacher. He was excited and wondering what his teacher and room would be like. As a mom, I worry about them having friends, getting along with their teachers, doing well, etc. I just worry. That’s what moms do, right?
The first day, my kids were all up and at ‘em by 7:00 a.m., a small miracle in our house. By 7:15 a.m. Carter was dressed and had his backpack slung over his shoulders lying on the couch yawning and saying, “I don’t want to wait for school to start!” We went outside and took our traditional first day of school pictures, getting several of the overloaded backpacks and excited smiles. Then it was off to the lines at school! We were 10 minutes early! I wonder how long this will last?? I give it about a week…
When they got home from school, Emily said, “Oh Mom, school is so awesome!” and Carter told me he had a fun day, and Casey can’t wait to go himself. I was so relieved that they had such a great first day and hope that it can continue throughout the year. Each year has new challenges and hopes. Ten years ago, I couldn’t imagine what these ages would be like; I know that college will be a whole other ball game in this life of mine.
For me now, as a mom, the first day of school holds a lot more significance. I have a feeling I will remember more of my children’s first days, than my own. It’s such a bittersweet day for me. Letting go of all the lazy fun times we had in summer…Watching as they get older and start new things….Knowing that they need me less and less each year…Yet, happy to see them growing and becoming more themselves each year. It’s kind of an ending, but at the same time a beginning.
I now have a Middle Schooler, a third grader and as Casey puts it, a New schooler. I can’t believe that all of my babies are going to school! The night before the first day of school, my son, Carter, said he had “belly beans,” a mixture of excitement, happiness, nervousness and uncertainty all bouncing around in his stomach. Emily, my middle schooler, was wondering how she was going to find all of her classes and where to go when she first got there. Casey, my preschooler/new schooler, didn’t start school on the same day, but we had an appointment to go and meet his new teacher. He was excited and wondering what his teacher and room would be like. As a mom, I worry about them having friends, getting along with their teachers, doing well, etc. I just worry. That’s what moms do, right?
The first day, my kids were all up and at ‘em by 7:00 a.m., a small miracle in our house. By 7:15 a.m. Carter was dressed and had his backpack slung over his shoulders lying on the couch yawning and saying, “I don’t want to wait for school to start!” We went outside and took our traditional first day of school pictures, getting several of the overloaded backpacks and excited smiles. Then it was off to the lines at school! We were 10 minutes early! I wonder how long this will last?? I give it about a week…
When they got home from school, Emily said, “Oh Mom, school is so awesome!” and Carter told me he had a fun day, and Casey can’t wait to go himself. I was so relieved that they had such a great first day and hope that it can continue throughout the year. Each year has new challenges and hopes. Ten years ago, I couldn’t imagine what these ages would be like; I know that college will be a whole other ball game in this life of mine.
Friday, August 13, 2010
To Read Series or Not to Read Series?
So, everyone out there who is a fan of reading series raise your hand. Probably quite a few of you raised your hand. Series seem to be what authors are writing and what people are reading these days.
Up until, the last year or so, I've always avoided reading series. Every time I would pick one up, it seemed that I would get in line reading behind someone who was an infinitely slower reader than I was or would just not bring the books back in a timely manner. I know that I could have gone out and bought the books, but being the library user that I am, I always opted to wait. Then, the frustration would set in as the days ticked by with no book. By the time my turn came up, I inevitably had already started reading another book.
But, a year ago, or so, a patron here at the library and I got to talking and he recommend a series of books to me with vampires, werewolves, and romance in them. What more could a girl want? This patron even went so far as to bring me in his copies of the first few books so that I could get started reading right away. The rest as they say, is history. I ended up loving those books and literally devoured all 16+ books of the series in record time. I did have to wait a few times for someone who managed to get ahead of me reading the series, but the books were always worth the wait.
To me, if I really enjoy a book, I feel like I get to know the characters, almost as if they are people. So, when the book is finished, I am always left wanting to see/read what happens next in their lives. I would imagine that authors might feel the same way, and so they write another installment for all of us devoted readers.
Yep, I admit it. I am officially a convert. I love reading series.
Don't get me wrong, I do still hate to be behind a slower reader than I am, but the story usually always makes up for it.
How about you? Are you a series reader or not?? And why?
Leave me a comment and let's talk about it...
Up until, the last year or so, I've always avoided reading series. Every time I would pick one up, it seemed that I would get in line reading behind someone who was an infinitely slower reader than I was or would just not bring the books back in a timely manner. I know that I could have gone out and bought the books, but being the library user that I am, I always opted to wait. Then, the frustration would set in as the days ticked by with no book. By the time my turn came up, I inevitably had already started reading another book.
But, a year ago, or so, a patron here at the library and I got to talking and he recommend a series of books to me with vampires, werewolves, and romance in them. What more could a girl want? This patron even went so far as to bring me in his copies of the first few books so that I could get started reading right away. The rest as they say, is history. I ended up loving those books and literally devoured all 16+ books of the series in record time. I did have to wait a few times for someone who managed to get ahead of me reading the series, but the books were always worth the wait.
To me, if I really enjoy a book, I feel like I get to know the characters, almost as if they are people. So, when the book is finished, I am always left wanting to see/read what happens next in their lives. I would imagine that authors might feel the same way, and so they write another installment for all of us devoted readers.
Yep, I admit it. I am officially a convert. I love reading series.
Don't get me wrong, I do still hate to be behind a slower reader than I am, but the story usually always makes up for it.
How about you? Are you a series reader or not?? And why?
Leave me a comment and let's talk about it...
Monday, August 9, 2010
Turn the Page on your favorite book....
One of my favorite things to do here at the library is to talk with people about the books they are reading. I know, I’m a librarian right? Seriously. I love to read and it is so much fun for me to listen to people get really excited about what they are reading. It is, in turn, very satisfying to me to turn someone on to a new author and hear how much they really enjoyed reading it. I find that I also get some great reading ideas from our readers in the process. It’s especially fun to talk about a book you both loved and compare parts of the story and find new favorites together to share.
My reading tastes have changed some throughout the years, but there have been constants. Two such constants are that I typically enjoy a story more if there is some element of romance involved and also an element of fantasy, like vampires, werewolves, fairies or time travel. Historical romance, western romance, mystery romance, fantasy romance, etc…I do branch out to some non-fiction, like biographies, but I tend to skim those books more. I think, it has to do with the fact that it kind of feels like I am back in college, so I just catch the highlights.
Currently, my favorite genres are urban fantasy and paranormal romance. Urban fantasy’s main characteristic is that it takes place in an urban setting; a town or city. They normally occur in modern times, but can happen in historical times or even futuristic times, so long as it is in a city and not the country. Very often, urban fantasies also include something of the supernatural, thereby combining my favorite elements. Some really awesome authors and their books include Laurell K. Hamilton’s Anita Blake Vampire Hunter series; also her Merry Gentry fairy series, Keri Arthur’s Riley Jensen series, Charlaine Harris’ Southern Vampire series a.k.a. True Blood, Karen Marie Moning’s Fever series and Patricia Briggs’ Mercy Thompson series to name a few of my favorites.
Right now, I am in the middle of the Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs. The main character is a girl. (I also like novels where the protagonist is a strong, stand on your own two feet, woman). She is also a mechanic and a walker which means she can turn into a coyote at will. She has vampire and fae friends and enemies and she is dating the local Alpha werewolf. There is always a mystery to solve, someone she cares about to save and magic thrown in for good measure. They are fast paced, exhilarating, and a little bit scary, but in a good way. I have discovered that if I read scary in the context of things that are not real, like vampires, werewolves and people who can change into a coyote, it doesn’t keep me up at night worrying over the story and real life consequences. However, if I read something like say, James Patterson, who writes graphic murder mysteries that could happen in real life, I have to stay up until it is finished or I hear things go bump in the night and stay awake all night anyway.
But, once I start reading a Patricia Briggs’ novel, I don’t want to put it down. I have to tell myself at midnight that 6 a.m. comes quite soon. Other times, I know I won’t be able to read, but I bring the book along just so it is with me. I am obsessive about a good story like that.
Another fantastical element that I have loved in my reading is time travel. Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series is about a lady, Claire Beauchamp, who “falls” through standing stones in 20th century Scotland into 18th century Scotland and meets her love of all time, Jaime Fraser. Throughout the series, Jamie and Claire go on many adventures trying to change the course of history, while at the same time cementing and testing their love for each other. A lot of history is thrown in along with the romance and time travel. Jaime and Claire are old friends that I revisit often as their love story is one of the best.
What types of books do you like to read? Who are your favorite authors? Stop in here at the library and let’s talk about it. Perhaps we’ll both discover something new.
My reading tastes have changed some throughout the years, but there have been constants. Two such constants are that I typically enjoy a story more if there is some element of romance involved and also an element of fantasy, like vampires, werewolves, fairies or time travel. Historical romance, western romance, mystery romance, fantasy romance, etc…I do branch out to some non-fiction, like biographies, but I tend to skim those books more. I think, it has to do with the fact that it kind of feels like I am back in college, so I just catch the highlights.
Currently, my favorite genres are urban fantasy and paranormal romance. Urban fantasy’s main characteristic is that it takes place in an urban setting; a town or city. They normally occur in modern times, but can happen in historical times or even futuristic times, so long as it is in a city and not the country. Very often, urban fantasies also include something of the supernatural, thereby combining my favorite elements. Some really awesome authors and their books include Laurell K. Hamilton’s Anita Blake Vampire Hunter series; also her Merry Gentry fairy series, Keri Arthur’s Riley Jensen series, Charlaine Harris’ Southern Vampire series a.k.a. True Blood, Karen Marie Moning’s Fever series and Patricia Briggs’ Mercy Thompson series to name a few of my favorites.
Right now, I am in the middle of the Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs. The main character is a girl. (I also like novels where the protagonist is a strong, stand on your own two feet, woman). She is also a mechanic and a walker which means she can turn into a coyote at will. She has vampire and fae friends and enemies and she is dating the local Alpha werewolf. There is always a mystery to solve, someone she cares about to save and magic thrown in for good measure. They are fast paced, exhilarating, and a little bit scary, but in a good way. I have discovered that if I read scary in the context of things that are not real, like vampires, werewolves and people who can change into a coyote, it doesn’t keep me up at night worrying over the story and real life consequences. However, if I read something like say, James Patterson, who writes graphic murder mysteries that could happen in real life, I have to stay up until it is finished or I hear things go bump in the night and stay awake all night anyway.
But, once I start reading a Patricia Briggs’ novel, I don’t want to put it down. I have to tell myself at midnight that 6 a.m. comes quite soon. Other times, I know I won’t be able to read, but I bring the book along just so it is with me. I am obsessive about a good story like that.
Another fantastical element that I have loved in my reading is time travel. Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series is about a lady, Claire Beauchamp, who “falls” through standing stones in 20th century Scotland into 18th century Scotland and meets her love of all time, Jaime Fraser. Throughout the series, Jamie and Claire go on many adventures trying to change the course of history, while at the same time cementing and testing their love for each other. A lot of history is thrown in along with the romance and time travel. Jaime and Claire are old friends that I revisit often as their love story is one of the best.
What types of books do you like to read? Who are your favorite authors? Stop in here at the library and let’s talk about it. Perhaps we’ll both discover something new.
What are we doing now?
This blog is an endeavor in reaching out to our readers in more ways...
It is meant to be a way to touch base....
a way to keep us all on the same page....whether it is about what we are reading or what we've been doing...
I'll ask questions and hopefully you'll offer opinions.
I'll keep you up to date on what I've been reading and doing and through that I hope you'll find something you enjoy.
We'll be a reading community as we read through the days...one page at a time....
So let's get going and turn the page and start reading!!!
It is meant to be a way to touch base....
a way to keep us all on the same page....whether it is about what we are reading or what we've been doing...
I'll ask questions and hopefully you'll offer opinions.
I'll keep you up to date on what I've been reading and doing and through that I hope you'll find something you enjoy.
We'll be a reading community as we read through the days...one page at a time....
So let's get going and turn the page and start reading!!!
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