Making Reading a Part of My Life Again: NewlyNested [BOOK WEEK]

I’ve always found that my writing is better when I am reading even more than I am writing.  I am ashamed to say that both have recently fallen through the cracks.  The truth is I wasn’t really raised with books.  I’m sure that my parents read to me, but reading and writing was something that was never forced on me, so when given the choice I would park myself in front of the television.  A lot of writers talk about their favorite books as a kid and I don’t really have many. Instead I have fond memories of watching Get Smart, Mr. Ed, and other classic television shows.  I did like to read.  I loved Matilda and as a preteen I was reading a new Baby-Sitter’s Club or R. L. Stein book every week.

My real love of reading and writing didn’t form until high school when I read On The Road. I loved that book so much that I just new that’s what I wanted to do.  I signed up for a creative writing class and from there I felt how writing awaken me inside of me.  I wasn’t a very good writer back then and probably still have a long way to go, but reading has always been the best education for me.  It’s so hard for me to make time to read when there are so many other distractions.  I don’t need to list them, because we all have distractions that allow us to procrastinate.

One remedy to this is to listen to books on tape and for me that can be done while walking the dogs or in the car (I do live in California which means lots of car time).  Another remedy is to be inspired to read by reading about books.  There is nothing like a good book review.  Lately, I keep hearing about Ann Pachett’s State of Wonder, which I have just downloaded on my kindle (Her book Bel Canto was life changing for me.  If you haven’t read it, read it now!).  Lastly, the best way for me to remember to make reading a priority is to go to an author’s book reading.  I encourage you to look up local reading series.  When I lived in Pittsburgh there was always one going on and it introduced me to a lot of writers that I hadn’t heard of yet.  That is the kind of experience that gives me the same feeling about writers that I had when I was in high school.

Tell me, how does someone like me who is programmed to turn on the television make reading a big part of my life again?

featured image credit: Monja · con · patines