| Me calmly encouraging everyone to develop healthy reading habits. [Warner Bros.] |
| Lying to your houseguests and other tips |
| Last week's topic was READING: how to do it at all, how to be better at it, how to smugly discuss your latest erudite selection (hot tub bodice ripper) and annoy all of your friends. I shared my tips and asked for yours. As usual, brilliant Stephinitely readers came through. Here's a sampling of your ideas for how to feel less like your brain cells are rapidly diminishing in an irreversible way. Used books are the best books! "I thought I might remind you that the library has used books for sale, not only downtown but in each branch. Over the years I've come across some real finds as you can never tell what people might donate to them. Indeed, I've bought books that I'd never have thought of once I had a copy in hand. So not only have I supported the library, but I've also expanded my reading interests." — Tony May chaos reign! "Let it go, by all means. I also struggle with this. A corollary to this is that if the beginning doesn’t grab you, start in the middle! Or read the ending first!" — Suzanne Hide books like you're smuggling a whole salmon in your coat! "While raising a family and working full-time, I squeezed in reading wherever and whenever I could. I would read several books at a time, scattering them throughout the house so I could pick them up whenever I had a free moment. I always got a page or two in while I brushed my teeth. A few more pages were completed while I was waiting for something to boil in the kitchen. I would turn on a sprinkler for my garden and pick up the book I kept in the porch. I usually was able to actually get in an uninterrupted hour on Saturday afternoon with a book laying on the coffee table." — Ann "Always keep a book with you. There are pockets of time for reading 'chunks,' like in the school pickup line, doctor's waiting room, etc. If you have time to doom-scroll, then you have time to read." — Dalia The earth isn't flat, but Kindles are! "My favorite time to read is while eating lunch. That's why I love my Kindle! I can see the pages so much better than a book flat on the table." — Marilyn Get over yourself and deceive your friends! "Trying different genres. When students told me they were required to borrow a non-fiction book but really didn’t like non-fiction, I’d take them to biographies. Still a story, but true." — Suzanne "Years ago, I was invited to join a friend vacationing on a lake in Minnesota. 'Don't bring a book,' he said. 'I've got one by Stephen King I think you'll like.' In reply, I sniffed, 'Stephen King is insufficiently cerebral for me. I'm reading something by James Michener.' (I had not even read a King book at the time!) Later, I was enjoying the sun by the lake, and my friend approached bearing 'Thinner' by Richard Bachman. 'Just read the first chapter, and tell me what you think,' he said. I acquiesced and read the first chapter. Then the second. Then the third. 'Well, what do you think?' asked my friend. I said, 'This Bachman bloke is pretty good. I wonder if he has anything else out?' My friend replied triumphantly, 'He's got a LOT of stuff out. Richard Bachman is Stephen King!' Touché." — Chas |
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