To read is to be entertained. To read is to be challenged. To read is to be embraced and guided. To read is to be inspired.
I watched my 9yo the other day, completely absorbed by a book. The summer holidays have become an opportunity to stay in bed late in the morning, reading. Eventually hunger might chase him from his book, but often I will have to intervene.
Not that I mind him reading, far from it. But breakfast is important too.
He has just started reading the Chronicles of Narnia. Having raced through the Magicians Nephew, he is now devouring The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe.
He loved the Harry Potter books, is reading the Fablehaven series for the second time and recently read the Percy Jackson books.
He reads about science and nature and Greek Gods.
His head is full of magic and adventures and ideas.
He is a passionate and enthusiastic reader, both fact and fiction. And while his teachers, friends, siblings, and of course his parents, can teach him much; books can expand that knowledge hugely.
His eyes are being opened to possibility and potential; heroes and friendship, kindness and strength, mistakes and understanding. His horizons are being broadened.
He has been given a gift.
When I was my sons age I also read voraciously; as a teenager little made me happier than a good book. I spent a great deal of time lost in a story; or perhaps it is more accurate to say that I was found among the lives of those I read about.
A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies, said Jojen. The man who never reads lives only one. George R.R. Martin, A Dance with Dragons
Isn’t that a wonderful thought; to live a thousand lives? To experience so much more than our own lives might allow us?
To learn, to grow. To dream.
Or to simply enjoy a moment, absorbed in a book. Lost in a story, captivated by a character, invested in an outcome.
There are times in our lives where the day to day reality can become overwhelming, where the escape into someone else’s life can be a welcome relief, a comfort.
To read is to find freedom and solace.
There are times in our lives where we are at a loss of what to do, where the knowledge and wisdom of others can provide guidance, encouragement and reassurance.
To read is to be transported, to be enlightened.
There are times in our lives when we are sad, where the humour and wit of others can allow us to see joy and a future.
To read is to be enveloped and released.
Mark Twain once commented that someone who doesn’t read has no advantage over someone who can’t, or words to that effect, and it is a quote that has stayed with me.
Because, whatever books you read; fact or fiction, escapism or reality; words have strength.
And, to read is to unlock that power.
You can find this weeks #ThePrompt linky here. I do hope this week’s prompt inspired you; I look forward to reading your posts.
What a lovely read :) I agree, knowledge is power and strength, and its often gained by reading. Sometimes it’s not information we would rather not have, but it’s usually beneficial in some way xx
That’s a really good point, we might not always like what we read, but more often than not there is benefit in it x
You have captured everything that makes reading so special, wonderful.
Thank you x
It is so wonderful to see them get the reading bug. My daughter struggled for ages, but now she is a proper book worm. She loved the Percy Jackson books too and of course HP. My eight year old is the one I’m trying to engage right now. It’s a funny age where she’s still stuck on reading scheme books that don’t interest her, but it leaves her little time for anything else. She’s been set a summer reading challenge by her school though, so that should help and we are reading classics like Roald Dhal.
My son loved the Roald Dahl books! I’m lucky that the 9yo has always loved to read, I’m now trying to instill the same in my 6yo as he moves from first readers up to his first chapter books…
You’ve captured the essence of reading through your words and they’re just lovely, Sara. Your son’s summer routine in the morning reminds me of mine when I was younger. I used to get up very early and read. My mom would practically have to break my door down to call for breakfast (which often times would be cold by the time I finally went downstairs). I also got into the habit of reading late at night. This was a point of contention for my mom, who set a bedtime that I would often break. Lights out at 8 usually meant, flashlight out, under the covers and book out for an hour or three. She warned me once that it’ll ruin my eyes eventually. She was right; I’ve been wearing glasses since I was 10.
This prompt was one of my favorites. Reading is an important habit; a skill not many around the world get the privilege to do. Thank you for highlighting it here. Hoping you have a beautiful weekend!
I was worst at night… I managed to avoid ruining my eyes (a warning my mother used with me too!) but I’m honestly not sure how :) You are right that having such easy and extensive access to books is a privilege x
Gorgeous post – almost like reading poetry! And I totally agree with you. I love reading and I’m SO happy that my oldest two (8 and 5) are already voracious readers. Life would be so much smaller and more confined without books. xx
Oh, thank you Maddy. Life would be much smaller without books x
Oh I love this Sara, reading really is great. I love how mesmerised POD is with stories, you really can’t beat that. I was hoping to write a post but I’ve not quite got there yet. POD has her un-birthday party tomorrow too so it’s a bit bonkers. Have a lovely weekend x
I hope POD enjoyed her un-birthday :) Summer is a bit bonkers full stop, I’m not managing to get much done :)
This is beautifully written and so true. I miss my head being full of magic and adventures and ideas. I was a bookworm too as a child and teenager and it’s something I want to pass on to my daughter.
I am so glad to see my eldest taking after me in this respect, I want that wonder and excitement for him x
Words do have strength and I bet it’s heartwarming to see the younger generation being absorbed by their power too :) I liked this prompt a lot! X
It is, isn’t it? They may read most of their books on a Kindle, but they are reading :)
I’ve always enjoyed reading too, and I love seeing children getting engaged in books when these days there are other more high-tech distractions. It’s such a lovely way to escape. The GoT quote is spot on – there’s another that comes to mind but unhelpfully I can’t quite remember when on the way to the Wall Jon Snow asks Tyrion why he’s always reading – Tyrion replies that he can’t fight, and the knowledge the books give him are his weapon xxx #ThePrompt
Oh yes, my son will spend hours on Minecraft, but he will always make time to read, even if just for half an hour before bed. It’s a wonderful habit to be in. The power of the knowledge to be gained from books (fiction as well as factual) should never be underestimated x
I couldn’t agree more Sara. Losing myself in a good book is one of the great pleasures of my life. I was a late starter in the reading stakes, not learning to be a confident or competent reader until I was 7. Now however I can’t imagine not having at least one book on the go at all times.
I can’t imagine a life without books, it is such an escape and an absolute pleasure x
Oh I couldn’t agree more with what you’ve said and it’s great to see that your son has embraced words and reading so passionately. A house without books is a house without a heart; it’s so important to read as it really can transport you to different places and broaden the mind!
#ThePrompt xx
Absolutely, I can’t imagine my house not being filled with books (although mine are all currently in boxes!).
I could not agree more: enjoying reading is such a gift! Your little man is such an avid reader! It’s brilliant to be able to completely get absorbed into a magical world. x
It is a gift, isn’t it? I certainly feel like that x
I love reading and I loved this! What a wonderful thing that your son loves to read, many boys don’t read as much as girls so that is awesome! #brilliantblogposts
It is awesome, I am so pleased he loves it so much. I hope it continues x
You are spot on here, so eloquently put too, I used to read constantly but am sad I don’t find enough time bar holidays to read. I’ve recently started reading at bedtime, there’s something so wonderfully tangible about books in her hands over the kindle. You are right, great books transport you over time, place and feed the soul. Thanks for linking up x
So cute. I used to have my nose stuck in a book pretty much my entire summer holidays every year until I was about 15 and got a job. I loved getting lost in the many adventures that books bring. Great post and lovely that he loves reading and enjoying summer. Thank you ever so much for linking up to Share With Me #sharewithme