Amy and Jill have written recently about reading and I can't get it out of my mind, so I guess I'll have to post about it as well. Reading is definitely one of the greatest joys in my life. I credit my dad for starting my love of reading. He read to me at night. When we were out driving in the car, he would point to signs and have me read them. I can't remember actually learning to read, I just remember always reading with him and then at some point I guess I just started reading too. He would read the pages on one side of the book and have me read he pages on the other side. (Good trick, eh? I used to do that with Lucas, too, when he was reluctant.) I don't know if he did this with me or if I just remember him doing it with Jessie, but he would tell gummy bear stories with actual gummy bears (in bed after teeth had been brushed!). Because of him, I cannot remember a time in my life when I didn't love love love books.
I remember when we would take road trips in our station wagon to Utah or California. I had a bed made up in the back and a box of library books (oh the days before seat belts and carseats!). I would usually have them all read by the time we reached our destination. In the summertime, I had to be persuaded to go outside and play because the lure of reading long books on my bed was so strong. I remember when I read Gone With the Wind the summer before eighth grade. When I finished, I just laid there and cried for awhile. As Max says, it's so good to be able to escape into the world of books. It's such a mind-expanding world, a world of solace, a world of knowledge.
I love being able to know that I can learn about anything I want to know. I just have to find some books on the subject. And usually I end up learning a lot about myself, no matter what the book. I love being able to read the scriptures, the Ensign, the newspaper, magazines, novels, parenting books, anything I want! I love reading to my babies. I love seeing my children love books and reading. I just realized that I have books in every single room in my house (not counting the bathrooms)! My bookshelves never seem to hold enough, so I have books piled and stacked every which way. To me this is an indication that I need more bookcases, not that I need to get rid of any books! Illiteracy is one of the saddest things I can think of. Can you imagine not being able to read? It's a painful thought, isn't it? It reminds me of one of my favorite quotes:
The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who can't read them. -- Mark Twain
And, my new favorite, from Jenn's mom's blog:
If I had a memory for all I've read, I'd be dangerous. -- Georgia
Isn't that the truth. Thanks, Dad, for teaching me what I need to know in order to learn everything else.
10 comments:
Awesome blog Michelle. I love the way your bookshelves are packed and bursting. I've seen them so many times, but still look at them when I come over. It's comforting, homey, and tempting to be surrounded by such an abundance of books. You're truly giving your kids a gift by sharing your passion with them.
that mark twain quote is cutting me right to my core!
how come it is not as noble to sew as it is to read..
i am working on it!
Thanks for sharing Michelle. I love how you have such vivid memories of your Dad reding to you. I'm not sure where my love of reading came from--I always just did. I'm pretty sure it's not from my parents reading to me though. I guess I beat the odds. I hope Kaitlin will remember me reading to her as fondly as you remember you Dad reading to you. I can't believe I've never met him. He sounds great.
He is great. Ditto all that. I totally rememebr gummy bear stories. I would alwyas beg dad to make up stories for me. The only thing that makes me sad about your blog is that I hardly own any books :( I am too poor so I always borrow them from you. In that regard, I love your bookcase because I've read most of those books too. I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have your books! Luck of the draw at the library I guess...
Krisiti, you are the "one of these things is not like the other" girl ;)
I loved that blog, Michelle. Thanks for sharing! I have the same passion. I read constantly when I was a child. I remember when I was in elememtary school, I took a big stack of books I'd read back to the school library, and the librarian told me not to check them out if I wasn't going to read them! (I guess she just didn't believe that I read all those books in such a short amount of time.) Anyway, fond memories. I, too, enjoy finding peices of myself in the characters in my books. I learn things about myself that I don't know how if I ever would have learned otherwise.
Jill has commented on the "coolness" of your house several times, one of these days I will have to see your great style in person.
I agree...I always loved the way your bookshelves looked; "packed and bursting" as Jill put it. I love it.
I love how you recall your reading experiences, I love your photo, I love that you quoted my mom, and I LOVE what you said about teaching you what you need to know to learn everything else! That is such a fantastic tribute!
I love reading too! Reading is one of my favorite things to do and it's so easy to get lost in the story. I love everything from Nancy Drew to These is My Words to Jane Austen's works. I've always loved reading and like you, I can't remember a time when I didn't! I feel like I've been reading my whole life! It makes me so sad to know that our Grandma can't see to read anymore.
Okay....I have to respond! I am very touched by reading your blog. It is such a great satisfaction and pleasure for a parent to see their children accomplish and succeed. I considered my children my best friends, and enjoyed spending time with you, including reading. I also recognized early the value of reading good books and expanding the mind. As a young boy, I loved to read also (though not as avid as you and Jess). I regret that I don't have more time to read now. But when I retire....
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