What are you reading?

We've decided to keep track of all the books we read this next year. It's something I did for years. In fact, I had a notebook listing books by author and series. You laugh, but for years I read at least one book every day and I hated coming home from the library, putting the girls down for naps, opening a new book, only to realize I'd already read it.

(Yes, I read fast. Really fast. And no, I never took a speed reading course. It's just something I do that comes from lots of practice. I've read thousands of books over the years, picking one up and then putting it down when I'm done.)

I wonder what happened to my list? I think it was on my computer about three computers ago--and is one of those files that never made the jump.

Anyway, with all the reading to be done with our curriculum this year--and all the reading to be done instead of watching television--I decided it would be fun to keep track again. Especially for the girls.

I love to read. Love, love, love it. Always have. I was the eleven-year-old girl who wandered through the Louvre in Paris with my nose in Gone with the Wind, looking up to glance at the Mona Lisa and then heading right back to Atlanta to check on Scarlett and Melanie.

Audrey and Emma? Not so much. They enjoy it when they do it, but it's never their first inclination when there's nothing to do. Or even when there's everything to do.

Me? I'd always rather be reading.

I've read all the books about raising a reader. In fact, I've written brochures about it for libraries during my days as a publicist for a publishing company. We read out loud, we go to the library. We listen to books on tape. The girls see me read. 

I haven't lost all hope.

And I think keeping track is working. Audrey and Emma are so excited for me to record a book they finish, to count how many they've read so far. I think it's helping them to feel like they really are readers.

Just as an aside, since I'm not reading Hebrew text books like I thought I would be this fall, I'm keeping track of what I'm reading too. And I'm reading lots--all for fun. And as I finish books, I'm adding them to my Amazon bookshop.

Buying a book there is really buying a book from Amazon, only I get a small percentage of the sale. It not much, but enough to buy some more books from time to time! If you've never visited, go check it out.

The most recent book I've read will be listed first on the "Books I Read Just for Fun" page. And if you've not read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society yet, you'll want to read that one first!

P.S. I love Orla Kiely's design. I first saw a bag at Anthropologie that I couldn't justify no matter how hard I tried. Then I saw some dishes at Target. Huge mugs on clearance, but I was in the midst of packing and didn't want to pack anything else. Of course, now I know they'd match my new dishes and I wish I had bought them after all. Maybe they're online...

Comments

[Susan]

Hey beautiful (your profile pic is just to the left of my comment box).

Sigh. I love to read. Always did. My parents always worried about me. I would sit in my closet with the doors closed with my book and flashlight. They just didn't get it. I just wanted time to myself to read. Well into my marriage I would hide away (not in the closet, lol) to read. Life around me would stop. Then came two children within 11 months (and a day) of each other and well, that went out the window. Oh, I tried to pick it back up again but my whole world comes to a screeching stop when I'm reading.

I, too, read all the books about raising a reader. And I'm 0 for 3. The oldest devoured each Harry Potter book in a sitting and has actually read them repeatedly. And a few other series of books, but not many. And not lately. The other two...having to sit down and read is worse than anything they can imagine. Youngest has to read 3 books before school begins. I reminded him of it (via FB) this morning and his response, "no way I'm reading any of that crap". Nice.

But you have me longing to read again. The Good Lord knows I have enough books lying about (I'm still on a self-imposed book buying ban). Time to pull one or two out, I think. Let's just hope I can stay awake. That has been my biggest problem when reading the last couple of years.

Hugs and blessings, darlin'.

S

[Kimberly]

I had to smile reading this. I used to get in trouble for reading too much.

I just got back from the library with the boys! We loaded up. I checked out Les Miserables. I love the musical and the movie, but have not ever read the book.

[Farm Fresh Jessica]

You sound like me. I haven't read any good fiction for a while...I try to keep a list at goodreads.com

[stephanie]

Oh, we love to read in our house. I've read voraciously ever since I was little and it hasn't slowed any sign of stopping. I keep a list of the books I've read, both in my yearly calendar, and also on GoodReads.com. Right now I'm reading the Tea Shop Mysteries by Laura Child and LOVING them. (Not so enamored with her scrapbooking mysteries - more racy and profanity. Rats!)

Happy reading!

[Kim Feth]

Love to read. I'm reading In A Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day by Mark Batterson. It's a "Wow, I never thought of it like that" read. My son is trying to convince me that re-reading all of the Junie B. Jones books counts as good summer reading. But we're starting "The Bronze Bow" - something you recommended.
Kim Feth
Apex, NC

[missi smith]

I also love, love, love to read. I have to read something every day!! The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie society was wonderful. I've been into books set in England lately and love the series by Deanna Raybourn. I'm on the waiting list at the library for The Forgotten Garden, The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie and The Help. Oh, Jacqueline Winspear is another wonderful writer. I keep books catalogued on Library Thing. I like books that have no cursing (or very little) and the same with sex and violence. I can vouch for the ones I've read. :-) My son isn't a huge reader of novels, preferring non-fiction, although last year the Accelerrated Reader program made him competetive and he read a lot. I'm hoping for more of the same this year. I think they like to see the accomplishments on paper, so your list idea is great! Missi

[Kayren]

I kept a list in 2006 and 2007, but I haven't kept one since then. It's funny that you wrote this because I was just thinking this last week that I wish I'd been keeping it still and how I needed to start again. My only problem — I don't know if I can start one in the middle of a year. I may have to wait and start it at the beginning of 2010.

[Maria]

I recently finished The Help and absolutely loved it!

[fuzzytop]

My mother keeps a list of books she's read, in a tiny spiral notebook she carries in her purse. I've never made lists, but I read a TON. I'm always reading something, although I rarely read an entire book in a day. And I have a huge stack in my to-be-read pile. Last year I volunteered to be in charge of the library at our church, and it is such fun finding books to add to the library - both for kids and the ladies that come in to find something to read. Not many men seem to make it into the library, which is sad.

I've just finished 'The Help' and the 'The Guernsey Literary ...' Both were lovely. Also finished a wonderful novel titled 'The Glass Blower of Murano', set in Venice, full of intrique and mystery. Right now I'm reading 'The Forgotten Garden' and a book titled 'The Gospel in Isaiah', which is fascinating.

Adrienne

[Bobbi]

Have you seen goodreads? It keeps track of them for me...and that is neat. They also help me find books to log that I can't remember the entire title to, etc. I'm currently reading "Mozart's sister" which is sort of tragic...don't really recommend it. I was planning a Bible Study with your new book for FALL...and the ladies decided they wanted to do your Living Simply book first! HA! On the plus side...they will now own both books!

[Barb M]

I too have always been a fast reader! When I started at the job I am at we began to exchange books and I would always bring them back the next day, having read them overnight. My coworkers didn't believe I had read the books that fast and would quiz me about the plot, etc to be sure I really read it! I am so glad to read about someone else who does this! I loved your book Living Simply and am currently re-reading it to refresh myself. I just purchased your new book and can't wait to start it.

[Laura]

I'm reading your book, "Misplacing God" and loving it. I'm into chapter 2. I'm also reading(because I too have stacks of books holding up my walls) The God of Old, inside the Lost World of The Bible by James L. Kugel, Seduction of the Lesser Gods by Leslie Williams. In Beth Moore's book, Breaking Free, there is a chapter titled 'the obstacle of Idolatry'. I was intrigued, so most of my Biblical studies are geared to the characteristics of modern idolatry. Also a great Daily Motivation book, Diligently Seeking God by Gary Henry Excellent.
Eye Candy, Modern Country by Mary Norden & School with boys.. The Story of the World, History for the Classical Child by Susan Wise Bauer. And don't leave off some fun- Echoes by Maeve Binchy. the cover was irresistable with her red 1940's shoes.
I had to unload my shelves yesterday to make room for the recent reads. Books, books, books. Reading, reading reading... thank-you Mrs. Hepler, my first grade teacher!!!

[Lisa R-p]

I keep a list of everything I read from year to year. I have done this for about 4 years now. Olivia reads in 20 minute spurts, we really have to find the right books to keep her interest. Carter is just learning to read and it is a struggle to make it fun for him. I read a lot, Chris tends to read magazines and not books. I have read all the raising readers books, not sure if it is working for us though -- I think that the jury is still out.

[Elizabeth]

I've kept track of the books I've read since high school, but the last few years I've gotten lazy about it. Just last night I started reading a book and realized it sounded familiar so I must have already read it. I didn't like it the first time, if I remember correctly, so it's going back to the library. My 10-year is a bookworm and speed reads all kinds of things, but my 6-year old needs a little motivation. Books on cd help him and he enjoys those

I read the Guernsey book and adored it. So many fabulous quotes and thoughts in it.

[Kristy]

I also love to read (though not nearly as fast as you do), and have a daughter that can take it or leave it. I have said to her, "Whose daughter are you??!!" - just joking with her. I take her to the library, to try to get her excited. So far.... She's getting a slower start. I can't remember when my love affair with books started, but I believe before the age of 10.
At times I feel guilty about the fact that I'd rather read than just about anything.

[an encourager]

Hi. Guernsey read just got passed on, after urging my husband to spin through it first. Right now I am reading The Bronze Bow. I've been on a Richard Peck kick (I'm a elementary school substitute librarian...) and smiled through A Year Down Yonder. Beth Moore is instructing me carefully through Get Out of that Pit, and my next read will be one my friend Debbie Alsdorf wrote: A Different Kind of Wild. Oh, and I just ordered your book from Amazon: Happily Ever After. :)I love books!!!