I hope all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. And that maybe, amidst all the turkey and pumpkin pie and people and busyness…you managed to sneak in a little reading. I know it can be hard to do during the holidays, but sometimes, it’s just plain necessary. A good book is the perfect way to unwind, regroup, recover, and relax.
Ready for this week’s reading question?
In what ways do you encourage others to read or support their reading habits? How do you share your love of reading with others?
I’m just going to break down my answer according to the different people in my life:
My kids: I make sure our house is well-stocked with books. There are always books around, available to read. And although as the kids get older, I put more responsibility on them to purchase the things they want, both of them know that mom has a hard time saying “no” to picking up a new book or two for them. I’m also usually up for a library run — basically, there is no lack of reading material for my kids. I also read aloud to L.(5) every day. And C.(13) and I are reading aloud together in the evenings these days, too. Reading together is something they never outgrow.
My husband: I am his official book-supplier. Chad loves to read, but he usually doesn’t have the patience or time to research new books, or to see whether his favorite authors have released something new. So I make sure his bookshelf always has some options for what to read next. I don’t always hit a homerun…but he’s usually pretty happy with the books I pick for him.
Other family members, and friends: I love to trade books, lend books, borrow books…basically, keep books moving. My mom and I share most of the books we read, I frequently lend books to others, and I’ve been known to send a box of books to a far-away friend.
The world at large 
: I hope that reviewing books and talking about books here on my blog helps to encourage others to read, and I think my twice-yearly reading challenges have done the same. I also like to occasionally donate books to a local shelter. And a few times, I’ve left a good book just sitting out in a public place (think mall or restaurant), hoping it “finds” just the right person.
Your turn — what do you do to share reading and books with those around you and/or far away?
Well, I’m a librarian by trade, so I’ve pretty much made it my life’s work to encourage reading. Oddly enough, I have one child (21) who is a voracious reader and the other (18) who will only read under duress. My husband said he was that way as a teenager, so there may be hope!
At different times I have hosted a reading group as a way to encourage not only reading, but the exchange of ideas and understanding. Currently I participate here (thanks so much!) and try to keep my book list up to date on Goodreads.com.
Finally, I talk about books incessantly to anyone who will listen! I’m probably driving people mad, but at least I’m encouraging positive behavior (the reading part, not the going mad part — lol!).
I pass along many of the books I love to one of my neighbors. She and I have similar tastes so I’ve introduced her to some authors and books she wouldn’t normally have noticed. I also pass along certain books to my mother. But my biggest influence (aside from whatever influence I have through my book blog) is on my kids. I take them to the library at least every other week and encourage them to try new books. I’ve introduced my son to two different series of books that he has loved, and as he finishes the second one, I am already thinking of new series he can try. For my daughter, I make sure there are always books in her room that she can read herself. I just love that they already enjoy reading as much as I do.
Julie @ MyBookRetreat´s last post ..Picture Book Month: Week Four
Another great question, Katrina!
I love giving books as gifts – especially to young children. To read the rest of my thoughts on this, click here.
#1 – Book review blog to harass, er, I mean, influence and recommend choices. =D
#2 – I also have no problems buying lots of extra copies of my favorite reads and passing them around.
#3 – A well-stocked home library.
Like you I often find books for my husband to read and keep our house well stocked with books for the kids to read, too. I think you’re reading challenges and reviews definitely encourage people to read, it works for me!
Jen E @ mommablogsalot´s last post ..FIR ’11 Question: What else do you do while you read?
I didn’t get back into blogging until after this challenge started, but I had to answer this question anyway!
My kids: We are very well stocked with books in our house! And I have a hard time saying “no” to a new book – my kids know that book orders brought home mean new books for them! We visit the library frequently, and I allow the kids to stay up an extra half hour if they stay in their rooms and read.
My hubs and I also have an agreement that books are one of those non-negotiables. We both buy lots of books – he buys used and I tend to buy more for my Kindle. But it’s the one thing we never have to pass by one another for approval.
And my preschoolers: I LOVE reading to my preschoolers! I try to pick books that are fun to read to them, fun for them to listen to, and still foster a love for learning. I am very, very picky about my classroom books, but I have found all my students look forward to reading time each day!
Andrea´s last post ..Gently
This is probably my favorite question in all of the world. At home I provide books for my mom to read. My husband reads non-fiction books about topics he is interested in. I keep 100+ books in my home for my grandkids to enjoy and of course they get books for holidays and birthdays. I take my granddaughter to the library every time she stays with me.
For my students (thanks to Katrina) I run 2 reading challenges and give away free books. I have my students write reviews that I post on my blog on Saturdays. I constantly purchase and loan out my books at school which is over 1200. I spoke with two groups of parents last night about this very topic. I open my personal school library up to all students of the school. I listen and learn from other bloggers. As of this last year I wrote and published a book and had to donate ten extra copies to the school because students wanted to read it.
Here’s my answers this week.
http://markcarstairs.blogspot.com/2011/11/fir-question-10.html
I’ve never attended a book club or reading group, although that is something I would like to try next year. Our city has been picking a book each year that the whole community reads together, and I’ve done most of those. Then they bring the author into speak to the public at a free event. I have posted today catching up on your last few questions. I am so glad you are posting them.
http://snapsandsnippets.blogspot.com/2011/12/fall-into-readingupdate-on-q.html
Fun question, but I wouldn’t have thought as deeply about it had I not read your detailed answer
I had some friends in my previous town who I was the supplier, like you are with your husband. They liked to read, but usually didn’t read too much unless I put a book in their hands!
I also do the same for my kids. They both like to read, but I love finding books that I’ve read about that I think they might like and either buying them or checking them out from the library for them.
I don’t think I do as good a job with random friends. They ask me what’s good and I sort of go blank. BUT I guess I do encourage (or enable) the “world at large” with my bookblog, and I do like hearing about when we’ve recommended a book that they like.
Jennifer@5 Minutes for Books´s last post ..On Reading: Never Say Never (My Life with an E-Reader)
Working for the last 18 years in the School Library (Middle School and now High School) there are many opportunities to tell students about books and encourage them to read. But sharing books with my own child when he was growing up and my nephews, even though they are in Germany, is what I really enjoyed doing. So happy Amazon is around and I can send books to my nephews. Now I have another set of niece and nephew, that’s why I was really happy winning your childrens books. I love to share books and it seems this little one year olds already like the books. When I went there for their birthday and Thanksgiving they hadn’t seen me for a while and so I was a stranger. But I went and got the two books and you should have seen how fast they warmed up to me. Also seems they already wore out one book and it has to be replaced. So, sharing books with my family is really what I like doing. I also talk books and share books with my stitching group. We are all avid readers and talk about books all the time.