I have read numerous books on the effect of reading to your children. One of my favorites, Jim Trelease's "The Read-Aloud Handbook," lays out the facts plainly. Kids who are read to as children, become pre-teen readers, who turn into young adult readers, who turn into college grads and successful adults. Sure, there are exceptions to every rule, but the truth is clear: reading is better for everyone. I am constantly asking my friends to read books that I pick up, and most of the time, they agree with my picks. However, the majority of my friends don't enjoy reading. They've grown out of it, or were required to do it too many times in school, and it left a bad taste in their mouth. When did we lose the idea that reading is a pleasure? You don't see many teachers reading for fun anymore. We are trying to find read-alouds that have the most AR points, or teach a CCRS concept, or use the assigned vocabulary words. Who did this to us? Why have we forgotten the value of the most fundamental skill we can teach? Teachers, parents, aunts, uncles, and grandparents, I challenge you, when you set aside the allotted amount of time for your youngsters to read, pick up a book yourself. That small act will inspire numerous questions: "What are you reading?" "Where did you buy that book?" "What's that about?" "How long until you finish?" and on and on and on.
Looking for something good to read that is school appropriate? Ones you can tell the kids you read and answer questions without having to censor? (You would be surprised how many 7th graders told me their favorite book was 50 Shades of Gray. I cringe.) Here is a list of some of my tried-and-true favorites, books that even the most non-readery of my friends would tell you to pick up.
Hands down, this is the best love story in publication. This book weaves a Biblical story into a more modern period, and the result is flawless. Francine Rivers is one of my favorite authors because she writes truth. Some Christian authors are cheesy, but Rivers's books confront tough topics, and they delve into difficult situations. Although the book is long, you won't have trouble staying focused. This is a must-read for people of all faiths.
Sarah's Key by Tatiana de RosnayMy grandfather is a WWII veteran, and I have always reading books set in this era. Author Tatiana de Rosnay switches between two viewpoints throughout the book: Sarah, whose family is rounded up during the little-known 1942 arrests of Jewish families in France; and Julia, a journalist researching this event. It's hard looking back at the past, especially those that hurt, but Rosnay wrote this book to make us think. If you are a fan of historical novels, this one should be on your list!
Flabbergasted by Ray Blackston
Laugh-out-loud funny. There's no other way to describe it. The book is the first of three, and while all are good reads, this one is my favorite. I love Jay, his outlook on life, descriptions of people, and sense of humor. This book is a great read for both men and women, and it's maybe a bit of a love story, but mostly it's good, clean, fun.
I don't generally like non-fiction, but these small glimpses into the life of another mama and her kids were perfect. It's nice to know that you aren't the only one wondering if "you're doing it right," or if you are the only one scrambling to keep it all together. The author writes about her struggles with depression, but also the shenanigans of her girls and husband. It's not a cookie-cutter family, and neither is mine. I loved that I could pick it up and read a few pages if I needed a laugh, but not worry about losing momentum if I only had time to finish a chapter or two. Be sure to add this one to your list!
Want to know what I am reading right now or what I have recently finished? Check out my Goodreads shelf or my Pinterest board "Holly's 2016 Reads."
(None of the images used are my own. If you click on the book title, it will take you to the source for the image.)
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