Turning Pages

I have loved reading since I was a little girl. I remember my parents reading to me and regularly having books in their hands. I also remember being intimidated when I met the principal of the school I would be attending - until he sat down and read a story to my siblings and me. I loved the feel of the pages as I turned the pages, and the smell of a good book.

Once I learned to read, I devoured books. Many Christmases were spent curled up with a new chapter book, often finishing it before dinner.

At 12 years old, I was excited when my favourite book series was finally made into a film- The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. And I remember my disappointment when Tom Bombadil was left out.

As a young university student, I squeezed in personal reading whenever I could, even around textbooks and assignments. By then, I had taught myself to read one-handed while walking just so I didn't have to put my book down while doing chores.

Then, I became an exhausted, working parent.

Our house was flooded with children's books, and I cherished reading to my kids daily. But my personal reading was changing. I read less, and when I did, I reached for the easiest, least mentally demanding books I could find. Convenience won out, and I mostly read on my phone.

As I learned more about self-care, I realized that I had stopped challenging myself. Like many parents, I had fallen into a habit of choosing things that required little effort, avoiding anything that stretched my thinking. Around the same time, one of the kids glanced at me reading on my phone and complained, "You're always playing games on your phone."

Not only had I stopped reading for growth, but I also wasn't setting the example I wanted to for my kids.

Shortly after, I grabbed one of the many books from my To Be Read pile, and stuck it in my purse. I started carrying it everywhere; reading it when I had the chance. I think it took me a couple months to finish - far longer than that little girl tearing through a book in a single day. But I was reading again. I also bought a used kindle to help me read more without defaulting to my phone.

Slowly, I noticed changes. I was thinking more deeply, and my love for reading was rekindled. Even better, my kids started assuming I was reading rather than distracted on my phone. They began asking me to read to them more. The youngest told me, she wanted to read like me. Our reluctant reader (who we since have learned is likely dyslexic) slowly started reading more.

Now, I still love reading out loud to my kids. They often ask when they’ll be old enough to read certain books. My eleven year old has read The Hobbit more than 30 times and the entire series numerous times. While we’ve been traveling, he has complained that audiobooks aren’t enough. My Audible and Kindle stats look like I do nothing but read - because my kids use the apps as much as I do. And I love it. Even if our house is overrun with books. Even if it feels like I’m constantly searching for new books for my kids to read. Even if it feels like we spend an inordinate amount of time browsing thrift store shelves.

What are some of your and your kids’ favourite books? Let’s help each other add to our To Be Read piles.