It’s “Read Across America Day.” And whether or not you live in the United States of America, reading is fundamental (to quote an old slogan).
I learned to read while sitting at our kitchen table eating breakfast**. I learned how to sound out words like riboflavin, barley, lecithin, syrup, and all those other things I was feeding my tummy. My big sister also helped because she was a ravenous reader. I suppose she hoped I would be too. When we sat outside the small downtown grocery store while Dad and Mom ran in for a few things, she’d help me with the words on the big old signs that told us what the specials were that week. Hamburger, Wheaties**, margarine, Wonder Bread.
Me, ignoring people who say I have too many books.
Consider these five good reasons to read, whether it’s books; newspapers; magazines; your email (Especially the ones from your boss); your Twitter feed (Unless it gets nasty. Then run. Run away very fast); or that text your spouse just sent so you don’t get in trouble (Unless you’re driving because that could cause trouble).
- Read because you can inform yourself and others.
- Read because it can be relaxing.
- Read to kids because you’ll teach them that reading is important. It’s also a great way to bond with them.
- Read because it improves your vocabulary
- Read because it’s your assignment for school and you want to pass the class
To celebrate Read Across America Day, try one of these ideas.
- Read a book and tell someone a little about what you’re reading
- Encourage someone to read
- Help someone learn to read
- Finish that book. Come on, you’re almost done
- Tell us in the comments what you’re reading
It’s also the 116th birthday of Dr. Seuss. Dr. Seuss gave us fun characters and some crazy worlds to visit. They lent themselves to memorization because, whether we noticed it as a kids, he was teaching us in a fun way about poetry.
Here’s a blog about books and reading from Why Not Books. The blogger includes a list of the Why Not 100 with links on his site for such lists as Harry Potter incantations; Beatles Songs as Book Titles; Books Written by Kids; Banned Books; Freaky Fictional Presidents, and more. Now those might make for some interesting reading.
The Why Not Books blog also includes a list of classic Dr. Seuss characters. How many Dr. Seuss characters can you name? What’s your favorite Dr. Seuss book?
In case you were wondering, I did become a rabid reader, just like my sister. She ended up recommending books to me as I grew. Her tastes ran to classics and she is six years older than me, so I was about thirteen years old when I read “Anna Karenina” at her suggestion. Thanks, Laura! What a ride it’s been.
Be a blessing to someone today. Read aloud to them, even if it’s talking through the clues and answers to your crossword puzzle.
The Fruitful Life 