Dec. 5: The Gift of Reading

In today's reading Fred White states that, as writers we can foster a love for reading in children by giving them gifts of books this holiday season. We can also give books to the adults on our Christmas lists. The gives The New York Times Book Review and The New York Review of Books which are published each year as good sources for gift book ideas for both children and adults. As writers we can serve as examples to our family members to encourage reading.
FOR FURTHER REFLECTION:
Writers are best suited to give reading as a gift particularly for the young people in our lives. White states that "children are naturally voracious readers; yet, sadly, children are sometimes made fun of for readings a lot." However, the adults encourage reading and do so by example "the less likely reading will be an object of ridicule."
Today's TRY THIS assignment:
"Make a list of all your family members. Beside each name, name the books you think he or she would likely enjoy. This will be your gift list for the holidays."
As I have stated else where reading has long been a pleasureable activity for me. As a child I really was a voracious reader. My parents, fortunately, encouraged this activity. They did not always encourage my writing but they always encouraged my reading. My mother was also an avid reader. Her taste in reading was much simplier than mine but she always enjoyed reading. I also encouraged my daughter's love for reading and many of the books she was given, or opted to read, were the same ones I enjoyed reading as a child. We have attempted to encourage this love of reading in later generations. Not always successful but we continue to encourage reading. Now days this is a struggle because television, dvds, computer games are often more enjoyable than readings. We, as a family, though have not given up and do still frequently give books as gifts. They are on the gift list not only for Christmas but also for birthdays.