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Talk It Out:
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"Congratulations to Rachel for wanting to expand her mind! I bet your reading speed will improve as you do more of it. As for being discouraged that it takes so long to get through a book, it's best not to set too high a target when you have limited time. Ideally I would like to read through the Bible in a year as many recommend (that means reading about 3 chapters a day) but I usually only have time to read a few paragraphs a day. For a while I too was discouraged and stopped reading altogether, but then realized that reading even that little bit helps. If it takes me longer to get through the Bible or any other book, that's OK. Try to do even just a little reading every day so it becomes a habit. You may find it helpful to get a small bookstand and prop the book up while you are doing dishes, or some other time when you can do two things at once. Some days that's the only time I have to read! You might even - gasp - try giving up a TV program and using that time to read instead. Good luck!" ~ Susan "Yes,
it is possible to become an avid reader! I would
recommend you start by visiting the older children's or
young adult/teen area of your local library. There are
lots of good series out written for the younger ages, and
even though I have been an avid reader for as long as I can
remember, sometimes I want something quick and interesting
and have never been disappointed in choosing a children's or
youth book. Most are written to capture your attention, move
along fairly quickly in the story line, and you generally
don't have to worry about too much inappropriate content,
although that can be a concern in the young adults section.
If books don't interest you, pick up a couple of magazines
in your interest areas or a newspaper from your area or a
place you would like to visit. Or revert totally to a second
childhood and read the back of the cereal box! Also,
don't discount audio books either just because you are
listening and not 'reading.' Find what works for you, and
you'll soon be amazed at how much you read." ~ Carolyn "My advice to the woman that wants to read more is to skip the speed reading course. Are you reading just to say you finished a book or because you want the escape and relaxation reading brings? I read while waiting for the bus and on my break at work and a little bit before bed. It also helps to read a mix of material. I alternate between books I 'should' read (Dickens, Shakespeare, etc) with 'fun' books (mysteries, chick lit) so that I don't get in a rut. And I have a five-page rule: if a book doesn't capture my interest within the first five pages, I toss it aside and pick up the next one. You could also join a book club so that you have people to discuss the book with and get recommendations of great books others have read. By the way, if you have kids and you want them to be readers: Read to them! My mom read us kids a bedtime story from the time we were babies and we've all been lifetime readers." ~ Jill "I have a couple of suggestions for Rachel. Go to your local library and see if they have some textbooks for high school or college English classes that contain short stories. You can take your time and still finish a short story in two, three, four or ten (!) sessions and have a sense of accomplishment. Use a piece of paper (fold a sheet into quarters and tear apart so that you have four pieces.) Use this as a bookmark and also to write down character names and perhaps places. Then as you read, refer to it and use little arrows or abbreviations to show the relationships (who is married to whom, who are the parents or friends of a character) so that you have a sense of how the characters relate to one another and to the story. Don't look up words you don't know unless a sentence makes no sense without doing it. If you understand from reading that 'Joe' is very outgoing and friendly, you don't have to define 'gregarious.' You'll gradually expand your vocabulary as you see the same words used in different stories or books and you can get a precise definition later if you want it. Move from short stories to novels (choose shorter ones at first) and keep using the bookmarks for notes. I've been reading for over 50 years and still do this if there are a lot of characters to keep track of. Before you start reading the book, read the jacket notes (or the back cover of some paperbacks). They usually give you some hints as to the story line. As for speed reading, the courses can be rather expensive and I don't recommend them unless your goal is to read every book in the library or bookstore as fast as you can. Stick with a book unless you really don't like it. And make time to read every day, even if it is only for 15-20 minutes. Think of it as exercise for your mind. And, don't give up -- keep reading!" ~ Kate in Florida
"I love to read myself, and have a library of over 300 books (interest led, of course!), a part of which I have never read yet, but intend to. In encouraging my children to read, I have found the best way is to observe their interests, then get books that emphasize those interests. For
example, do you like a mystery movie? Then perhaps a book on
mysteries will get you started. Do you like history? There
are tons of novels and non-fiction, even biographies on any
era or character you could imagine. Don’t get a book that
is heavy and thick or too wordy. If need be, get a book from
the children’s section -- they are always less daunting to
read and start there. Bottom line is, I would be willing to
bet that nearly everyone has some things that really peak
their interest. Books can be found on any subject, all you
need to do is start small and read what you enjoy. That is
what it is all about! (Everyone has picked up a book, tried
to read it, found it too hard to get through, then put it
down. Nothing wrong with that, just find something else that
you find interesting and go from there!) Best wishes!"
~ DLR from Indiana "I did not start out as an avid reader either. My degrees are in Mathematics so I was always reading Math books! With my job in Computer Science and Mathematics, I was always having to read 'work' related books. Since I've retired I've discovered a wonderful place: the library! Our libraries have books on tape and CD and they are absolutely wonderful. They have fiction, non-fiction, biographies, how to's and anything you can think of. You can listen while driving or at home while you are cooking or paying bills! This way you can work back into the actual 'reading' of a book. Sometimes I read a book, but other times I listen to my books. You could start with the abridged books and then move on to the unabridged ones. One of my favorite sets to listen to has been the books by Diana Gabaldon. She has written about Scotland in the 1700's (actually historical fiction). What is so much fun, is the reader pronouncing everything with the correct sounds! I could never have done that in just reading the books. Whatever you do, simply start! Then the reading 'bug' will bite!" ~ Sharon "I have had
the pleasure of teaching my three children how to read, and
other children that were non-readers. The key, in my opinion, is
finding something THEY are interested in. Not everyone
wants to read Hardy Boys or American Girl books. Every
child I taught did not like reading UNTIL we found the one thing
they were interested in. For one, it was Pokeman.
For another, it was science fiction. It's very difficult
to encourage someone to read a book you have not read yourself!
I have spent many hours in a public library searching for books.
There is an excellent book published (I think it's called the
Read Aloud Book, or something like that) that can help guide you
if you have certain interests. I also volunteered in
school libraries for awhile and the librarians were a wealth of
knowledge! Don't forget to try non-fiction books.
Some kids just like learning about science and dinosaurs and all
that good stuff instead of fairies and goblins." ~
Anonymous "I also am a fairly slow reader. I recently started working in a library where I am tempted by lots of wonderful books. I stumbled on the book "Speed Reading for Professionals" by Bernard H. Wechsler (2006). I've been using the first couple of suggestions, and it has helped a lot. Now I'm not afraid of or put off by thick books, plus I enjoy them more and get more out of them! Hope this helps!" ~ Terrie "Two
steps can make you a better reader: "I am a homeschool mom of four and I did not like to read very much until about 10 years ago, when I began homeschooling. When I was growing up, I read because I had to for school. I didn't like the books and stories I had to read, so reading was not fun for me. When I became older I started reading about things that I was interested in. I don't read a lot of fiction. Mostly I read books that help me to become a better person (Bible study etc.) or that teach me how to do something that I am interested in (homeschool, 'how to' books etc.). I love to read now and I love books, although I don't have as much time to read as I would like. I
believe that the best things you can do to ensure
that your kids will grow to love reading is to read to
them everyday and to read in front of them. I have done
this with my kids and it has made such a difference. All
4 of my kids love books and the two that are able to
read, read all the time. (The other two are only 3 &
4.) Show them that reading is fun! And
start when they are very young if possible. If you
didn't and they are older, start now. We also take
weekly trips to the library. Also, give them books about
things that they are interested in. If your son likes
dirt bikes, give him books and magazines about dirt
bikes. If your daughter likes ballet, give her books
about ballet. If you give them books and magazines about
things they like and are interested in it could make all
the difference in the world!" ~ Carrie, VA "Actually, I 'read' most of the books I own by borrowing the audio version from the library and then we loved the book so much we bought the paper copy. (which was stupid because we'll probably never read them. We should've probably just bought the audio copy so we could listen again.) I usually did most of the listening in the car. In fact, I remember at times getting so hooked that I sat in the driveway with the car running just trying to listen to just one more chapter! The best thing about audio books is that many narrators will use different voices for different characters so it almost seems like you're watching a movie or a play. It's very addicting!" ~ Angie "Yes,
you can become and avid reader and actually improve your
ability to read as an adult. I was a 'slow' reader as a
child and was not really interested in reading. I
did what was required of me at school but at home we had
no books, the only reading material was a very small
local paper that my mother read nightly. When I
went off to college I was worried about my reading
ability. My boyfriend's mother at the time was a
reading specialist and all 6 of her children were great
readers. She told me to just practice, to read and keep
reading. The first novel I read was 'Christi' by Catherine
Marshall. It is a long book but I kept at it and
finished it. I really enjoyed the story. The book is way
better than the movie/TV show! If I only read a
page or two I would keep plugging away. Later, I
would make a chapter a day my goal and the first time I
stayed up all night to finish a book, because I just
couldn't put it down, I was exhilarated. I began college
35 years ago, I have continued to read both fiction and
research and factual books. I now read quite well. I am
not a speed reader but can read much faster than I used
to. I home educate my children so I have learned as they
have learned. I had to read aloud to them which I was
lousy at, until I did it for a time. Now my kids' best
memories of school was me reading aloud. When I
read to the grandkids now, my children will usually stop
what they are doing and listen spellbound. I have
been involved in activities where I have had to read
legal papers and legislation. I am quite gifted in this
area -- who knew! Two of my children have learning
difficulties with reading and in teaching them I learned
that I had had learning problems as a child but had no
help in those days. I just adjusted somehow. So I work
with my children and we practice and practice and as
they become adults they have overcome as well. I have
been known to take a year to read one novel -- just
getting in a few pages now and then. I do remember well
what I read so that helps when there are big gaps of
time between reading. Also, I have learned that
sometimes to understand what I am reading I have to read
it aloud a few times but I finally get it. I have
encouraged my children to read aloud if they need to,
there is no shame in doing so. Happy reading!" ~
Sharon Editor's Note: Thanks to these subscribers for taking the time to respond. |
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