Been reading lots and lots of books this month. Which is almost gone. Not the books, the month. August came and went in a flurry and a hurry. When you’re busy every day, that’s what happens. So, while I’m happily reading my way through ‘how to write a novel’ and ‘how to write that mystery’ book, I want to share with you 5 ways to LOVE books for a lifetime.
This is the first summer I’m really enjoying our summer porch. It’s really just the perfect place to sit and read all day long. Because this month has been so nice, weather-wise, I can leave the back door open and sit in the back porch as much as I want. Up til this year, we neglected this nice little room, but once the rug went in, it made all the difference. 😉
Summer in New Jersey is usually one hot and humid day after another, ad nauseam. An occasional cooler, less humid day appears every now and then, but it’s usually the same ol’ same ol’. So, that’s why it’s been such a delight to spend all day in and out of my special ‘reading room’!
That’s not all . . .
You can do the same. No matter what kind of house you have! Mine is 1500 sq. feet and that’s it! I’ve lived in smaller and in bigger homes and this one suits me to a “T” these days. It’s quiet, and all I usually hear are the crickets cheerfully chirping all day long.
No matter what kind of TIME you have
Reading is THAT important. The only way to truly get it is to get it when you’re young. I’m talking about that love of books which just seems to grow out of your mind the older you get. It’s so easy to be distracted, especially in the world we live in now; what with smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, laptops and on and on.
The GOOD NEWS is that you can access BOOKS on most of these devices. Books that you will love to read. And your kids will love to read. And you will want to go on reading books with each passing day.
Who needs TV? It’s all reruns now, and some of those shows are not very entertaining; all they do is go for the crass, base, crude laugh. What do you learn from that anyway?
Books can change your life!
They can send you in new directions, and offer you and your family, whole new ways of looking at the world. AND they are the simplest ways to bring contentment into your life.
Let me show you 5 Ways to LOVE Books for a Lifetime!
Read to your kids.
Every day. That’s how YOU get to love books. If your mom or dad took the time to make books important in your life, then you know how vital they are to opening up your child’s universe. Yes, I know life is busy and often very complicated, but there should come a time each day for reading.
Especially when your children are pre-school, this is the time to give them a love of books. Have them bring you their favorite book every night just before bedtime, then sit with them and read it. Let them point out pictures and words they like, and do this every night. They may even bring you the same book night after night, and that’s ok too!
Once your kids are older, have a set time each evening for reading. And you be reading too. By this time they can enjoy books on their tablets, too. But, always be reading and you will love to read all your life!
Be a library-goer.
There’s nothing better. Libraries today are a far cry from what they once were. Now there are huge children’s sections and exhibits, events and books, of course. Get your kids used to going to the library every month. Have them select books to take home, then read those books while you have them.
You could even subscribe to a monthly subscription service such as Bookroo, where your children (or grandchildren) can share their love of books with you. These are GREAT ways to develop a lifetime love for reading.
When I was a kid, one of my favorite things to do was to go to the Elizabeth NJ public library on Broad St. It’s still there, looking a little different inside, but I remember so many quiet evenings, lost in those long rows of books. You can read all about that right here.
Create a reading nook in your home.
This one is something you’ll come to love. In the days before radio, TV, computers, laptops, tablets and smartphones, it was easy to sit and read without distractions. That’s why CREATING a reading nook is important; it’s for READING ONLY!
Encourage your kids to bring their favorite books over or this is the place where YOU keep all of your reading material. Reading, such as this book, World Without End by Ken Follett (have you read Pillars of the Earth, one of my all-time favorites!) can be so much more than books, too. There are magazines and even comic books that will inspire you to want to read more.
Explore all of the wonderful ways to READ!
You can read online. There are many ways to get interested in a book right from your phone or computer. I subscribe to Kindle Unlimited through Amazon, and there are so many promotions that you’ll receive every month and so many books you can read for, wait for it, . . .
FREE!
Check out Audible or Wattpad or Google Play Books or Goodreads. These are ALL available in APPS too, so now
THERE IS NO EXCUSE TO NOT BE READING!
Just like a lending library Kindle Unlimited lets you ‘borrow’ 10 books maximum and then you can return them for others. Of course with Kindle or Nook, you’ll be filling up your digital library fast. Which means the next time you’re in the doctor’s waiting room you can whisk out your phone and start reading. SO much better than picking up those germy magazines that are all around. :-o)
Always give books as gifts.
Have you been in a bookstore lately? Checked out the New York Times Bestseller Lists? Seen the newsletters from those online blogs and writing forums you love? There are books for everyone. And if you’re like me, you would want a book as a gift, more than anything else!
Books, today, are not what they once were. Although, it’s always a good idea to read the classics and you’ll find them online or in any bookstore, too. Then, take advantage of all the Indie books available, through independent booksellers and authors like myself. Once my mystery novel is finished, that’s exactly what I plan to do with it, publish it myself.
The world of books has never looked so wonderful! Find out what everyone on your gift list loves in books, then go find those books and make one of their dreams come true! They will love you forever!
Books inspire and create new ideas and thoughts in your mind every day! Grab one or two or ten books, and start reading today!
Just another way to
“Homekeeping Inspirations for Knitting Your Best Life!”
