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?
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?
