reowring up the wrong tree

nope. I expect you to put up or shut up, which you're doing, so that works :)

...but don't be down on your kid... just because they don't like to read the same stuff you do or in the same way you so, doesn't make them a non-reader. they need your support, not criticism. jmo, of course.

Could, my two sons have very different reading habits and they both have the exact same examples of reading from Daryl and myself. We both read for pleasure almost every night. We have shelves and shelves of fiction books at home suitable for the kids as well as for us (although we don't generally recommend Stephen King for the kids).

Our youngest boy can get so absorbed in a book it's to the exclusion of everything else. Aden would much prefer to talk on the phone or play computer games which we don't necessarily like, but it's his thing. Sometimes he likes to read and sometimes he doesn't. I don't think he'd care if he never read another book in his life, but I know Mav would.

Kids like every other person are different, and once they're old enough to choose what they do for pleasure, some of them are readers, and others aren't. Acknowledging that difference as a parent is fine too. I don't think it shows that you're not supportive of your child at all. It just shows that you know your child.

My sister sees reading the same way I see crazy golf. Something to do on holiday to pass the time, that's fun for kids but has no place in an adult's normal day.

Then again she has two children, so has a lot more to fit into her usual day.

No, it's not a time things really - it's an attitude thing. It's just not important to her, whereas it fills a big part of my leisure time one way or another (book, magazine, internet).

Monster, I wouldn't call someone who consults non-fiction books a reader. Other than in the most literal sense that they have read something. I have drawn people diagrams of how to get to my house, I'm not a cartographer. I'm also not a fiction snob - although it is far and away my personal preference. I knew a guy into the SAS (sad but true). He gobbled up everything he could find written about them - and nothing else. I'd still have called hiom a reader.

I would. If they are just dippingin for necessity then that's a non-emotional way of accessing. But, if they adore reading about a period in history, or they just get a rush of excitement at reading about different types of warfare, or looking at diagrams and texts that show how engines go together.....if they emotionally connect then they are readers.

When I wrote "consults" I meant as in looking up a specific fact. Like using a dictionary, instead using a reference book as the means to an end. The book is a source and nothing else. The words "adore", "rush", "emotionally connect" would definitely signal a reader to me (as in my example above - he loved reading about the SAS, therefore he was a reader).

Ahh right, gotcha.

I devoured books as an adolescent. I loved to read. I read so much then because I had HUGE blocks of time with nothing to do. I was always looking for the next book to read. I was hooked.

Today, I read kids books every night to my kids. I read how-to books all the time when they are related to a project I'm working on. I've got a stack of books on my bedside table and I read for 15-30 minutes every night before turning out the lights.

But I really don't read novels anymore. I just don't have the time, or desire, or something, to get into a long novel. I read maybe 1-2 novels a year. I only want to read a novel if it's an outstanding novel, and it's hard to find those. I feel cheated when I've read a novel and it wasn't that good.

Dana, it's a fascinating, disturbing, rewarding, and humbling.

So go back to the shelf and pick up Penthouse Letters Vol. XXXIV to add to your purchases. I guarantee, she'll never even remember you bought the other two.

Uh disagree there - you are the most important teacher your child will ever have.


:lol2: So very true!

I will take my group "pat on the back" as a member of the group. Why not?
;)
I think reading and non-reading is based on the regularity of reading anything at all, and the amount. I think it's quite simple.


If you are an involved, regular member of the cellar, you are a reader. Just take the compliment.
:)

Unless you want to be identified with the new non-reading "cool" class. I'm hip, not a reader. plbbbbt.

Put those books down and carry "You, Inc", "Talent is Never Enough", "Now Go Find Your Strengths", and one pleasure reading book to the register. She'll recognize you, talk to you, maybe about the books, maybe not, but she'll know you're not sitting around playing video games 23 hours a day. Hopefully you get the chance to chat, if not, you've got some good books and a little more experience in not being terrified of a woman.

You should have seen the look I got at the bookstore from the clerk when I special ordered, "How to Heal the Hurt by Hating"!!

It was a funny book, but the elderly clerk did not "get it". But I never actually gave a darn because they should be professional enough not to bat an eyelash at anything you buy or order, in their store.

As a response to what lookout said, I am uncomfortable when clerks notice my book habits and subjects, then ask me out. One time it happened right in front of my husband with him standing right there. But that might work for you fresh as a convo. starter.

we're obviously not reading about the Crimean war, though.

umm....actually, I have been reading a couple of journal articles about the Crimean war this week :P