Comments on: Uncool to be a reader

By: Kari

Kari — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 17:36:13 +0000

That is awesome. Neither of my parents are very big readers, nor my sister, so I’m wondering where I got the reading bug. I think it’s because my mom always took me to the library to get me out of the house before I was of school age. I still get the chills when I walk into a library; they’re the most magical places in the world.

By: 3m

3m — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 11:30:37 +0000

Nicola, your last 2 sentences made me laugh. Boys!

By: Nicola

Nicola — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 11:19:51 +0000

That’s the way it is with boys I think. My 20 yr old was homeschooled all the way through and he read a lot, but would never admit he liked reading. Though he never complained about any of his reading assignments (and he read books for fun like boxcar children when he was young and Redwall when he was older, then classic sci-fi) any time he was asked if he liked to read he’d say “No, I hate reading.” But I knew better. But now he’s grown-up he doesn’t read. Sure he comes over here occassionally for a book, though I never get them back and he never seems to finish them. But just a few nights ago he said “you know mom, I’m a reader, I just don’t happen to read right now” Well, FINALLY, at least he admits he’s a reader!

By: 3m

3m — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 10:44:36 +0000

Kailana, kids ARE lucky today. You are so right!

My parents were both readers and we always had books in the house. The problem was I lived in such a small rural community that access was the problem. No amazon.com then, of course. We didn’t even have a bookstore in town, either!

By: 3m

3m — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 10:42:40 +0000

Veens, most boys are that way. I boasted about all my reading discoveries!

By: 3m

3m — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 10:39:02 +0000

Nancy, he’s right — it’s a great nickname.

I know my kids will appreciate it and (even admit to it) when they’re older.

By: 3m

3m — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 10:37:00 +0000

Katie, I’m lucky in that my whole family reads!

By: 3m

3m — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 10:33:59 +0000

UncertainPrinciples, I used to boast, too, so it’s hard for me to understand!

By: Kailana

Kailana — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 09:41:22 +0000

I read a lot when I was younger, but I didn’t really like what there was to offer… Kids are so lucky today. I like young adult fiction better now than when it was my age range. If I hadn’t had Lewis, Tolkien, and Madeleine L’Engle I would have skipped that age range entirely!

I have to say… was it ever cool to read? I read at a higher level than my classmates for years. I thought it was cool in about the second grade, but then I tried to hide it because I didn’t like the extra attention. The teachers caught on when I was in junior high, though, and singled me out again.

At least you read. Neither of my parents are big readers, so I had a REALLY hard time getting ‘good’ books when I was younger. My mother would maybe know who Lewis and Tolkien are on your list. I suppose she would recognize Harry Potter, too, but when I was your sons’ age she wouldn’t have a clue what I was reading. I demanded gift certificates at a young age and never looked back.

By: Veens

Veens — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 00:34:40 +0000

That is a really great accomplishment really!
I have seen boys, and they never flaunt the fact that they are well-read
Congratulations

By: Bookfool, aka Nancy

Bookfool, aka Nancy — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 00:32:13 +0000

I think it really depends on the individual, but boys in general tend to think reading or doing well in school is uncool. My eldest hated to admit that he loved to read, when he was younger. But, now, he appreciates the fact that he can converse intelligently about books.

My youngest son, on the other hand, was given the nickname “Books” in junior high and he thought that was great. He’s never had any problem admitting that he’s an avid reader. Plus, the nickname made him laugh. “It’s so much better than a lot of other names people could give me,” he said.

Congratulations on turning your boys into readers. Reading is a joy you know they’ll carry with them for life.

By: Katie

Katie — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 23:30:21 +0000

That you and your husband have taught your sons to be readers IS quite an accomplishment I flew through books as a kid and even as a teenager, I read the complete Girl Talk series and the Babysitters Club, as well as Goosebumps. My younger sister on the other hand, not so much.

By: uncertainprinciples

uncertainprinciples — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 22:55:07 +0000

Yup. Seen that recently, with my kid cousin. It’s bizarre, as I used to be so proud and literally boast about reading. Days I read more than a book were the best!