The Quiet Concert: Converting Non-readers into Readers

Mar

2014

Converting Non-readers into Readers

Welcome to Thoughts for Thursday! This feature is our outlet to talk with you about whatever we currently have on our minds. It might be bookish, it might not! Now for this week's thought:

Converting Non-readers to Readers

I am proud to say that I have converted my best friend from a non-reader to an avid reader. My relentless peer pressure has finally worn her down. Prior to last year she probably only ever read a handful of books by choice, but last year she read (drum roll please) over EIGHTY books. *beams* And you know what? Most of those were YA. That’s right. She’s got great taste like us.

When people tell me they don’t like to read I strongly believe it’s because they haven’t read the right books. This is where my problem with required reading comes in (update and vary these lists PLEASE!) but that is a discussion for another time. I also think it makes a big difference if you have other readers in your life who might encourage or motivate you to read. For me, this was originally my mother, but since then I have met a few good friends who like to read (shout out to Ashley!) and now I have all of you! Knowing how others have helped shape me into the reader I am today, I will always encourage others to read.

It makes me so happy that Alyssa discovered her love of reading and that I had something to do with that. I love that I can share this huge passion of mine with her. It’s just one more thing that we can bond over. And now instead of actually talking to each other we can just read in each others presence (kidding!). In truth, now we can be bookish together - talk about books, attend bookish events, recommend books to each other, and even share books (she now owns FIVE physical books) It’s also great to have someone who will humor me and read the books I push on her (unlike *cough* Ashley *cough* =P). And she can also encourage others to read! See! Pay it forward.

Now, she hasn’t yet read the greatest piece of literary work in existence, Harry Potter, which is shameful, but we can only expect so much so fast. I encourage you all to pressure her to read this series through your comments. I am trying to wear her down through obvious book pushing techniques and subliminal messaging, whatever works. Goal for 2014? I will not rest until she reads book 1.

Talk to me! Have you converted any non-readers to readers? How did you become the reader you are today - any influences? What do you think about those who say they don’t like to read?

Comments (20)

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Kimi · 578 weeks ago

Oh no, she hasn't read Harry Potter yet? PEER PRESSURE HER TO START READING. Haha just kidding. But seriously...

I think it's awesome that you were able to convert her! I've recommended a bunch of books to my friends as well, and I'm glad that because of those books they've gotten into reading. I have to agree about the required reading thing, it definitely sucks because people end up not liking reading even more because it's something that is required and for school.

Great post, Nicole!
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1 reply · active 574 weeks ago

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Nicole · 574 weeks ago

It's the best feeling when people read books your recommend and even more so when the love them!

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Ashley @TQC · 577 weeks ago

I would just like to comment on this post and say.... I JUST finished Sanctum :) It's a work in progress!

<3 your favorite co-blogger

1 reply · active 574 weeks ago

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Nicole · 574 weeks ago

hahaha I know, I am just giving you a hard time.

So your going to start MLND now right? =P

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jnbarber13 28p · 577 weeks ago

Hmm I don't know how successful I've ever been at getting my friends to read. However, in high school I got my fiance (BF at the time) to read all the Twilight books. Now, I've been pushing the Hunger Games and Divergent on him, but I haven't been to sucessful yet.

1 reply · active 574 weeks ago

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Nicole · 574 weeks ago

That is impressive! I cant believe he read the whole series! Did he like it? He should definitely read THG now. Keep wearing him down ;)

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Kay · 577 weeks ago

I am so proud of you for converting your friend to read and so proud of your friend for finding joy in reading. :)

I totally agree with you...I think some people aren't readers just because they have yet to discover he right kind of books that will make them love reading, and yes partially probably because of the required reading books. I have a couple of friends that don't read much, (very very little) but when I finally started to find out what kind of books really get them excited to read I made them some reading suggestions and their reading habits changed. They thanked me, I had fun doing it, and not to mention they ended up reading a more than they used to.

You better get yoru stuff together and peer pressure your b/f to read some HP! :D
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1 reply · active 574 weeks ago

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Nicole · 574 weeks ago

Yay! Go us for converting friends to readers! It IS so much fun to spread the love of reading. After all, isn't that why we all blog ;)

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Joy (Joyousreads) · 577 weeks ago

I wish I can convert my husband to start reading - not necessarily YA but political novels we can talk about from time to time. He reads a lot - mostly sports related. Sigh.
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1 reply · active 574 weeks ago

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Nicole · 574 weeks ago

Hmm. The fact that he reads SOMETHING is a start. Maybe you can bribe him somehow hah. Or win a gamble with him and your prize be for him to read a book of your choice hah. It only takes one good book!

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Alyssa · 577 weeks ago

Ok ok, I feel the pressure to read Harry Potter! I tend to like to read an entire series at once whenever possible, and with work demands, HP just seems to be a huge undertaking. I agree; it should be on my 2014 goals list!

HP aside, Nicole is absolutely the major influence in my deciding to become a reader. I love to joke and say how bad of an influence she was; now all I want to do is read! But she definitely made my life more well rounded, and who doesn't want more bonding activities to do with their best friend! So kudos to Nicole ;-*

Ashley-so glad you finished sanctum! I think Throne of Glass should be in order soon? ;)

<3 the newly converted bookworm, Alyssa

1 reply · active 574 weeks ago

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Nicole · 574 weeks ago

You are the best. But you know what will make you the bestEST, reading Harry Potter =P

AND HOLY FREAKING COW YOU COMMENTED ON MY BLOG. *beams* *faints* *stares in disbelief*

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Pam@YA Escape · 577 weeks ago

I don't think I've ever converted a reader into a non-reader, but I've definitely pushed certain books. I agree with you about the required reading. There are so many great dystopians out there now, but what are they still teaching? Brave New World. Come on, this is your chance! My co-blogger and I have actually talked about co-teaching a class together where we would have the students read YA dystopian and discuss the politics (my specialty) along with some sort of sociology related stuff (her specialty). Hopefully that will happen someday and maybe we'll convert a few college students into reading YA (if they're not already).
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1 reply · active 566 weeks ago

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The Quiet Concert 59p · 566 weeks ago

I think that is a great idea! I have seen some teachers updating their reading lists but it's few and far between. I think the classics are important, but you can still mix in a few (more) current and (more) interesting books IMO.

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littlebookstar 68p · 577 weeks ago

OMG that's awesome! Kudos to you for converting your friend into reading. I also agree with you how those people who does not like reading just haven't found the right book(s) for them. I really wish English classes in high school made their students read at least like 3 young adult books per grade level. All those classics and poems can be a bit boring sometimes for people who already dislikes reading.
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1 reply · active 566 weeks ago

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The Quiet Concert 59p · 566 weeks ago

I was so bored by all those classics and poems!!! So not my kind of books. If I hadn't read Harry Potter and a few other books I don't know if I would be the reader I am today because I would have hated books based on required reading alone!

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mel1704 86p · 577 weeks ago

I'm not as successful as you are, but last year my sister read 5 books and that is still 5 more than two years ago, haha. The problem with the people around me is that they say they 'don't have time' and I always point out that they 'don't want to MAKE time'. And they know it's true, there are just things they like better than reading and therefor, they don't make the time for it. It's sad, but I'm starting to accept it.. I'm still trying it though :p

1 reply · active 566 weeks ago

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The Quiet Concert 59p · 566 weeks ago

Hey 5 books is better than nothing!! And tell those people who don't have time that they can read a little bit each day. Surely they have time for that :) Or teach them all the ways of multitasking - audiobooks, or reading while you eat, etc. :)

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Michelle · 576 weeks ago

Everyone should definitely read Harry Potter!! And I am very UNSUCCESSFUL in getting non-readers to read :( I try, but everyone I know is all set in their ways and stuff. I'm also bad at getting people to read books I love. Like my mom is a really big reader and I can not for the life of me get her to read HP. Or like 5 other books that I've pushed at her. She's set in her ways too and only reads Adult Mysteries. So yeah good for you for getting your friend to read, which she then went on the read 80 books!! That's more than I read last year!!
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1 reply · active 566 weeks ago

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The Quiet Concert 59p · 566 weeks ago

Aw see I push books on my mom ALL THE TIME. I can even get her to buy me books sometimes. I convinced her she NEEDED to read Laini Taylor's DoSaB series but I don't own them yet so she'd have to buy them and so she's buying them. I am sneaky like that :)