As a child I read all of the time. I was more of a stay-in-the-house-and-read kind of girl rather than a go-outside-and-play child. Losing myself in a book was great fun for me. Finishing a book was both a great sense of accomplishment along with the feeling of disappointment that the story had ended. I always imagined how the plot continued to develop after that last page. I missed the characters.
Today I read often. However, squeezing in time for pleasure reading is difficult. Somehow reading (and grading) argument essays in their various stages doesn't rank up there with the enjoyment of a new best-seller. I still consider the reading I do for my lit classes enjoyable, but I read with a different eye when the selection is something I am teaching or discussing intelligently! I miss the 'reading just because I want to' activity.
Enter "The Nook." My husband (with the help of the Christmas Elf aka Daughter #2) surprised me with The Nook for a Christmas gift. Of course it was back-ordered, and it finally arrived in mid-January. After fixing a couple of glitches for registration, I have happily enjoyed I, Alex Cross (my first purchase) and several other selections. The Nook is easy to transport, takes up little space, and is surprisingly easy to use. I love it!
Still...the time to read. Even though my intent is to read for pleasure a little each day, it doesn't always happen. Too much grading, too many other little things to do, too much travel time between home and campus or to see our daughters and new little grandson. Priorties, you know! However, I carry a book with me everywhere I go, in the hopes that there will be some moments to read, even if it is in the car while my husband is driving, while I am waiting for the Carside to Go meal from Applebees, or sitting in the doctor's office or waiting room.
I am a reader. I will read. And I am really really looking forward to May 8 when the grading is done for a while. My Nook and I will be best friends!
I have been reading anything I could get my hands on since I first discovered books that were bigger than 'See Spot Run.' I take books with me everywhere I go even if there is very little chance I'll get to read, it could happen and that's enough. When I was a kid, if I'd done something to warrant punishment, my parents wouldn't spank or ground me, they'd take away my books. They knew that was the punishment that was guaranteed to get my attention. Sending me to my room just meant I had extra time to read...lol.
ReplyDeleteThere is something magical about the feel and smell of books. I've never had a book reader and don't know if I'd like one. You'll have to let me know how you like yours.
I can't get over how much your description of yourself as a child and loving to read reminded me so much of myself...my relatives were always commenting on how often I would read while everyone else was out playing and I loved to go the country with my dad just so that I could read in the car for 2.5 uninterrupted hours. My dad had a pickup truck that had a camper topper on the back & I would sit back there on my bean bag chair (i know this is terribly illegal but seatbelts were of little concern back then) with my pink boombox and a stack of books. I especially remember loving all the Encyclopedia Brown books, and anything that was scary for my age at the time.
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