Time to Read, Time Well Spent

I have finished two books in the last two weeks, and I am amazed. I love reading, I insist it makes better writers, but I have the most difficult time fitting it into our over-scheduled days. Given free time, I would rather write than read, but these two things must play off each other in whatever balance can be found. That formulaic balance can change daily, as anyone with children knows.

Reading is probably the most enriching ativity I can think of; yes, I can cloud-watch with my kids, I can build snowmen with them (if we by any miracle ever got snow in San Diego), I can make a seven course meal nightly, and these are all good ways to spend time. But reading is the quickest trip to another world.

Building intelligence can not be accomplished without reading. Understanding anything foreign to us usually begins with reading. Imagination without a foundation in reading is like a bechamel sauce made without flour and butter.

When I read with my kids, or have them read to me, I sleep better. We all seem to feel better. Getting my kids to love reading has been near impossible, and on nights that they don't want to do it themselves, I happily open one of the classics and read to them. The other night it was Peter Pan, and although it's considered a childen's book, I find something in it for me every time I read it aloud.

Out of all of the things I am supposed to be doing for my children and myself daily, reading is what reaches and rewards every part of my body; mind, spirit, heart, soul, muscles, nerves.

Read. It can only make things better. Read.

The books I just finished are The Witch of Portobello by Paolo Coehlo and The Miracles of the Archangel Michael by Doreen Virtue. I just bought The Catcher in the Rye for my seventeen-year-old stepson, and gave his copy of The Outsiders to my almost ten-year-old son. Books make fantastic gifts, maybe even explain things better to my kids than I could myself.

Then again, I am the Mom who still believes in fairies. That is what a good book can do.

~ Samantha Gianulis
http://samanthagianulis.blog.com

Comments

[Paula]

You couldn't have said it better Sam. Reading is the most enriching activity there is - especially with the kids :)

[The Never Fairy]

Fabu! It's so nice to hear that reading with kids has not become passe! :)

May I also suggest the Peter Pan adventure that's VERY different from all the others?

Check it out:
http://www.peterpansneverworld.com/

Keep reading.
BELIEVE!