Can you believe I didn’t go to the bookstore this weekend? It’s rare I don’t get my bookstore fix so I think I’ll have to go sometime during the week so I won’t feel off or something.
I did start a new book though even though I told myself I couldn’t start a new one but I got a notice from my library that the due date is coming up and I can’t renew it so I started The Last Child by John Hart. So far I know that a young girl disappeared and although it’s been more than a year her twin brother still believes she’s alive and is doing what he can to bring her home.
I also spent way too much time following a forum thread on Etsy because someone said they didn’t like to read, didn’t see the point in it and had never read a book. Yes, you can understand why I’d follow that trying to comprehend how this could be!
Do you know people who don’t like to read? Are you close with them? I do know people who don’t like to read but I have to say most of my close friends are readers. I don’t expect people to read lots but I do think it’s sad if people never pick up a book.
Anyway that’s a bit of news from my world. What’s going on with you?
I can’t wait to hear what you think of The Last Child. I’ve heard loads of good things about it.
Yeah, I know my husband doesn’t like to read fiction. But he does read stuff on the internet 🙂
I’ve got The Last Child on my shelves, and I’m getting twitchy at the fact I don’t have time to read it yet. My husband is one of those guys that likes to read but doesn’t. His job just wipes him out. It takes him months to read one book.
I can’t imagine not reading! I don’t think I have a single person close to me that doesn’t read. I have even converted my husband, to the point where he outread me this weekend by a longshot!
I don’t think I know very many people who would say they don’t like to read but I wonder about all the people who say they don’t have time because I love reading so much that I find the time. And yes, my closest friends are all avid readers.
Most of my close friends read – although some of them aren’t avid readers. I don’t know that I could be friends with someone who refused to read. To me, there’s a certain amount of willful ignorance there that wouldn’t mesh with my personality.
If you don’t enjoy it, that’s one thing. Writing it off as a waste of time? Eh, go away.
My son is not a reader. His only read was the “Harry Potter” series that he read and reread. My daughter is an avid reader like me. I did raise them both the same way. One takes reading as a chore the other as a treat. Hard to know what makes the switch. I tried so long to encourage reading in my son’s life but he is now 24 and has no interest in doing so. Sad for me but for him oh well he is happy that way. I respect his choice though even if I don’t understand it. He might change his mind later on, or not…
I have known people who don’t like to read—as an English teacher, it’s a hazard I face quite a lot—it can be hard to understand. I think that if kids do not develop a fondness for books early on, it can be difficult (not impossible) to hook them later. Later on, it’s tricky to help them find books that will interest them. I think those of that that love reading are able to find time because it’s something we do to feed our soul. I suppose other folks feel their souls some way.
This is relevant to adult, not young, readers, but the sad news is that Tony Judt has died.
I know a few people who don’t read, but weirdly enough they never said they don’t enjoy it – it’s always “I don’t have time”, etc. I guess the fact that reading is seen as a highbrow activity makes people feel that they SHOULD enjoy it – which is something I fear does more harm than good. People tend to be reluctant to do things that are supposedly “good for them”.
I’m sad to say most of my friends don’t read, and my husband mostly read books that are related to his work. So can you tell I’m thrilled to be part of this bookblogging community? 🙂
The Last Child sounds good! Can’t wait to hear your thoughts on it!
I do have friends who don’t read, but I share other interests with them, such as cycling. And we spend most of our time together cycling — otherwise, we don’t really have a whole lot in common. But that’s fine. I like having a variety of friends. But the people who I spend lots of time with in conversation are readers.
Oh my, yes I have friends and family who do not read. I have a close friend who does read and we used to work as librarians together. So yes, she is an avid reader. I have many friends who don’t read and they are always amazed when I tell them that I spent the previous day reading. They say, “Really? All day?” and when I say “Yes.” they are astonished. I find it astonishing that they find this so difficult to comprehend. Don’t you?
My sister thinks that novels are useless, because they are fiction. What?
Where did I come from. Other than my mom, who was an avid reader, and a close cousin, my family always thought I was an abomination. It’s great to be surrounded by my blogger friends.
Kathleen – I find that I keep thinking the main character is older than he is. He seems to act older and sometimes I don’t know if I buy into that. But, I’ll keep on reading and see how it goes.
Veens – One of my best friends hates to read fiction but she loves non-fiction. I think as long as people are reading, it’s a good thing!
Sandy – I understand that. I actually went through a phase when I didn’t read as much and that’s when I was in college. I was reading lots for university but nothing just for my own because I couldn’t fit in any other books!
Stephanie – I’ve converted a person or two and I’m so proud of that. Good for you for getting your hubby to read! Do you guys share the same tastes in books?
Juliann – I do know a lot of people that say they don’t have time and like you sometimes I find that impossible.Then again, I’m one of those people that has to read at least a page or two before going to sleep. I don’t care how tired I am.
jenn – I have some friends who don’t read (they aren’t close friends) and it really does limit our friendship I think because reading & books are such a big part of my life. I’ve tried to convert them or at least introduce books that I think they might like but it hasn’t worked. These are not close friends though so I guess that’s why this can work as I only see them maybe once or twice a year.
roxane – Isn’t that funny how you raised them both with books and they developed different paths towards reading? I hope your son will pick up books one day. Maybe he just needs to find something that really clicks with him.
Dana Huff – Oh I can imagine you must deal with this on a daily basis! I agree though to us bookworms reading is just an essential part of life isn’t it? I think there is just so much to find in books – information, fun, comfort, joy, thrills, oh my!
Shelley – Thanks for the info. I’m sorry to say I’m not familiar with him but will look into it.
Nymeth – That’s a good point. One of my cousins asked me one time if I read because I wanted to look smart? I was shocked and he really was serious. I had to explain to him that it’s not about that at all but that books are just something that have always been a part of who I am. And, yes, I do find more people that say they would read if they had the time. Well, at least that is a bit encouraging right?
Melody – My husband mainly reads books for his work too actually so I do get bummed out that we don’t share books. But, he’s starting to read more mysteries lately. I’m slowly working more books onto his nightstand. haha… I used to have a lot more friends who didn’t read but oddly enough those relationships have fizzled out or are just not as strong as my other friends.
Dorothy W. – Variety is good! I guess even in my hobbies (bookbinding & collage) it is still a lot about books so that’s how I’ve been able to make more friends who share a love of books and bookstores.
Wisteria Leigh – I know people that are just shocked that I read almost 100 books a year. I’m thinking folks, that’s nothing compared to some of my blog friends who read 200-300 books a year! They’d probably faint! haha… You are right, it’s great to be surrounded by this wonderful community of bookish friends. I don’t think anyone else fully understands our booklust 🙂
Sadly I know many people who don’t like to read…mainly my hubby 🙁 He does like to hear about the books I’m reading though, which is odd…lol.
A few of the people I know that don’t like to read tell me reading gives them a ‘headache’ or that they ‘fall asleep while reading’. I will never understand that as long as I live 🙂
I think nearly all my friends are readers to some extent, though I have family members who don’t read at all! Go figure. Are you enjoying The Last Child?