I don’t remember when the little scribbly lines on the pages started to make sense and I had no idea at the time how life changing that information was, but I’ve been an avid reader since I was about six years old.
By the time I was ten, I had plowed through the encyclopedia set my parents had. I had a library card at about seven and can still remember how that old beautiful library in Pennsylvania smelled when my Mom dropped me off for a few hours. I’d read until a few minutes before she was scheduled to pick me up and then grab as many books as I was allowed to take home (I think it was six).
When my kids were young, I read very little except children’s books, but I still read. It was hit and miss for a decade or so while I was working and raising a family, but I still managed to dabble a bit with a book here and there. Not so with music and pop culture, but it was the 80’s and I’m told I didn’t miss much.
But now, at this moment in my life, I find myself with the ability to spend more time reading and I couldn’t be happier about that. And given the fact I can carry as many books as I want (no more six book limits) on my Ipad Mini, I can pretty much read whenever and wherever I want and to someone like me, that’s heaven. I think they invented tablets just for me. Thanks, Apple and all the rest of you guys! The only problem I’ve found with the Ipad is that I think the backlit screen does interfere a bit with my (already sketchy) sleep patterns, so I’m getting ready to order a Kindle Paperwhite to leave beside my bed for nighttime reading.
I buy ebooks almost exclusively now except for some cookbooks with lovely photography and of course, books that aren’t available in a digital format. I have hundreds of “real” books, the result of a lifetime of reading, and I love the feel, smell and romance of them, but the convenience of the e reader is just too much of a draw.
I’ve just recently discovered Good Reads. I’ve been delinquent in updating my reading progress there, but I’m making a resolution to be better about that. Are any of you on Good Reads? I’m having problems figuring out how to use it so any advice would be appreciated?
So dear virtual friends, are you reading fanatics? What do you prefer, paper or tablet, backlit or paperwhite? Any book suggestions? Are you on Good Reads? If so, will you be my friend there? If so, how do I make that happen? Inquiring minds want to know!
This post is in honor of the letter “R” and part of Jenny Matlock’s Alphabet Thursday. For more “R” posts, please click here jennymatlock.blogspot.com/
Anne says
March 18, 2015 at 2:36 pmOh I love reading! I am an old fashioned hold in my hands book kinda girl! I am not interested in kindle or any electronic devises. I buy too many books and rarely go to the library these days. When the kids were small we walked to our local library. Spent lots of time there and therefore have an entire phamily of readers! I remember the library as a kid too. Such a magnificent collection of books! Once my hubby was downsizing and packed away childhood books to giveaway. Our middle daughter saw him and shrieked, “Dad why are you giving away our childhood?” Needless to say she has all those books on her shelf today. Great share. Hugs, Anne
Viki says
March 18, 2015 at 5:44 pmI think reading on my ipad is the best invention ever. I mostly read library books on it. Unless it’s something I love then I’ll buy it for the ipad. I stay up way too late reading every day, lol.
Jim says
March 18, 2015 at 5:45 pmI check out a lot of library books but don’t read so very much. Ms. RMW, I am glad that you discovered and joined Good Reads. I have been a member for several years but really don’t use it.
My favorite way to read is a printed book but really the iPad with a Kindle book is handier. I am reading several of these and our library has them for us as well.
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ann nz says
March 18, 2015 at 5:48 pmwhen my kids were little, I read books their level, I read Nancy Drew, Hardy books I didn’t know when I was young.
Sandra@ Sandra's Ark says
March 18, 2015 at 11:33 pmHard copy or kindle I love both. With the invention of ebooks I have been able to stop overfilling the bookshelves and that is a definite plus. However sometimes it is just so good to sit down with that real hardbacked book in a big comfy chair.
Dominique Goh says
March 19, 2015 at 3:40 amI love reading too. However nowadays I do more reading online and using PDF then hard cover books. It’s hard to get print books .
SarahBeth ~ Along Magnolia Lane says
March 19, 2015 at 4:47 amTrying again — I’m having trouble posting comments!!
I’m an old school, hold the book, type of reader! I mostly read at night before I fall asleep and drop the book on the floor! I frequent the library (and there are three that are in close range) rather than buy. Like you, I’ve been an avid reader since I learned how on Alice and Jerry books! There’s nothing better than a book — any kind, fiction or non!
SarahBeth ~ Along Magnolia Lane says
March 19, 2015 at 4:49 amYay! the Gravatar link worked! I don’t know why my blog link won’t…
Betty says
March 19, 2015 at 6:22 amI don’t read as much as I did at one time. I think I spend too much time reading “stuff” online. My one son is an avid reader like you. I used to drop him off at the library in Virginia Beach. It was one of his favorite places to go. He always had a book in his hands and would be reading two or more books at the same time! He still likes to read, but he holds the real book in his hands.
Jesh SrG says
March 19, 2015 at 10:17 amOh, I loved to read too, but my doctoral training kinda ruined it for me, because for my assignments my days extended to wee hours in the morning (daily!)
But I still read magazines about art and knitting, lol. are these mountains close to where you live?
Arkansas Patti says
March 19, 2015 at 11:32 amLike you I started early. The bookmobile was my Disney World.
Now days I read totally on Kindle which is going with me in case of fire right after the pets. I have built up a library of 900 to be read books which I can carry in one hand.
Have no experience with Good Reads. I check Amazon best sellers list(the free one) every day.
Leovi says
March 19, 2015 at 12:31 pmWithout reading my life would not be the same, reading is a gateway to the world, a door to dreams!
Su-sieee! Mac says
March 19, 2015 at 7:32 pmI read through the encyclopedia, too, especially during summers. Maybe that’s why I enjoy research now. I never thought of that before. Hmmm. Have you heard of BookBub.com? Every day it offers free e-books via apple, amazon, and a couple of other places.
The View from the Top of the Ladder
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigellai says
March 19, 2015 at 10:10 pmI love reading too and you’re right, as much as I love tablets the kindle is much easier on the eyes. I was fascinated by our set of encyclopedias too! 😀
Gattina says
March 20, 2015 at 1:22 amI could have written this post ! I also started reading as soon as I had learned to read and during my whole life I couldn’t live without reading a book. Mostly then when I was in bed until I fell asleep. Now I too enjoy ebooks and I love to write. Blogging for me was THE discovery. At least I can write and even people read my posts. If I didn’t have that my life would be quite boring !
artmusedog and carol says
March 20, 2015 at 6:57 amWonderful photo!
Reading is always so pleasurable and one is never alone when one likes to read ~ not to mention how much one can learn!
Happy Weekend to you,
artmusedog and carol
Laurie Kazmierczak says
March 20, 2015 at 9:22 amI mostly read for pleasure and I tend toward sci-fi….but I recently joined a book club where we all read the same book to discuss and I must say it has opened new doors. I highly recommend finding a group!
Eden Hills says
March 20, 2015 at 11:54 amI read nonstop for the first thirty years of my life. I find myself writing and living and doing more than reading now. I do miss it. I was on Goodreads as an author briefly, but I was drowning, and something had to go. Sadly, that was one thing I gave up.
Barbara @ Barbara Bakes says
March 20, 2015 at 2:35 pmI don’t read as much as I’d like to. I’ve started reading on my iPad so I don’t have to worry about what to do with the books after I’ve finished reading them. But I sort of do miss reading a real book.
EG CameraGirl says
March 22, 2015 at 7:11 amThe tablets truly are handy, I agree, but I still like the feel of a real paper book! (I do red on my tablet too, though.)
Barb says
March 28, 2015 at 10:49 amI absolutely couldn’t function without my Kindle. I carry it everywhere. I load samples to make sure I like the book before purchasing and also joined Bookbub for free or inexpensive recommendations (read the reviews first though – some have horrible editing). I have the paperwhite but my husband has the Fire, and he can use it to go on the Internet (he prefers the Fire to his iPad for reading, and I prefer Kindle to iPad, too). I’m on Goodreads but only use it for recommendations. I have a book review page on my blog that hasn’t been updated in awhile but has some good reads listed.
Splendid Little Stars says
March 29, 2015 at 5:06 pmoooo..reading! Where to begin?!
I don’t have an e-reader, but am considering it. especially for when I travel. Isn’t there one with both lighted and non-lighted screens?
I look at Goodreads but only to read reviews.
I’m in a book club, so that’s one book a month I read. I also listen to audio books, both at home and in the car.
A while back I wrote an “A-Z reading survey” blog post. HERE it is if you care to see. Perhaps you might write one…