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Also last week, Ruth's post about her family's summer reading plan whispered and shouted and sweetly sung its way into my heart. After all, summer is always the time I renew my roots as a reader. But what if this summer, Husband and I could start a reading habit that could carry through during the school year too? I was a little better this past school year, but my reading was still relegated to breaks, some weekends, and a few sporadic days. What if I could make time to read, just like making time to write?
So far, it's working. (Of course, so far, it's summer! Still, it has been a busy first week of summer!) I've already come to treasure taking a half-hour or an hour to curl up beside Husband and dive into the worlds of our respective books. Together yet separate. Serene yet with minds racing.
Using Goodreads is helping too. My once-nebulous list of books to read is now easy to edit, easy to access, and ever-growing. I can actually remember what I want to read next, instead of thinking "Now what was that one book that so-and-so mentioned?" or "Who was that one author that was one the Daily Show or the Colbert Report the other night?" As soon as I hear or read about an interesting book, I just find it in Goodreads and mark it "to-read"! Just the thought that there are 50+ books I really want to read makes me want to sit down and start plowing through them! Moreover, I love getting book ideas from my Goodreads friends because I trust that if they liked a book, I will too!
Hopefully, I will be able to carve out time and stay enthused about reading when the demands of the school year (especially in a completely new position!) kick in. Really, my new ELL position should help, because I believe I just have to read and write in order to teach kids to read and write and have them be excited to do so!
For now, I'm feeling a tug from the bright sunshine. The only debate: should I head out with my notebook or a book?
Head out with both, Jen! It'll be up to you how to split your time, but at least you'll have options. :)
ReplyDeleteBoth -- love it! I did and I think I will make a habit of carrying both with me! :-)
DeleteLove that ending-what two wonderful choices to have! I like that you are making a plan to read & write. I thought my days this week would be more lazy, but am finding they're as busy as ever, just mostly at home. I love having you as a friend on Goodreads too, Jennifer. They do help make it easy, don't they? See you there, too!
ReplyDelete"as busy as ever, just mostly at home" -- You've described perfectly where the time goes every summer and break! :-)
DeleteBefore you know it that half hour will stretch into an hour and beyond. I hate having to stop reading when I'm on a roll. I like the way you are making this a priority and when the new year begins, you will just continue on because that is the habit. Good for you Jennifer!
ReplyDeleteThat's what I'm hoping, Elsie! Like you, I hate to stop reading, but I'm trying to allot a certain amount of time so the other stuff feels manageable too! :-)
DeleteI too have signed on for the summer of writing and as well, I haven't followed my plan exactly. I have 2 and a half weeks left of school so not in a routine of writing yet.
ReplyDeleteLove the idea of carrying a book and a notebook - great routine to get in the habit of!
I am right there with you! I have been reading my heart out, but I am way behind on my writing plans. Thank you for validating my shortcomings.
ReplyDeleteI enamored with your second paragraph in this slice. It is so well-crafted.
BOTH--take both. You never know what it is you are going to need. My writing plans are a little behind too. I'm writing--just not always what is being posted on TeachersWrite. But, I guess the point was to get us writing, wasn't it?
ReplyDeleteBev, Christy, and Deb -- one of the great things about this community is feeling encouraged because others are like me -- "validating my shortcomings", as Christy said. I'm glad you are all regular people too, not perfect writing saints! :-)
ReplyDeleteI love goodreads too! If you want to be goodreads friends - find me at http://www.goodreads.com/danaschreiner (I love sharing book titles!)
ReplyDelete