My second son is home from college for the summer. He is the dictionary definition of a voracious reader. His brain is like a sponge soaking up a broad mix of fiction, poetry, plays, art, science, and architecture.
I like to imagine that he inherited the creative juices and the untiring quest for knowledge from his mother, but surely I would flatter myself. He’s read books of mine from college that I don’t think I read. He enjoys Socrates and Aristotle, and writes poetry for fun.
I’m guilty of watching overflowing bookshelves sit unvisited, unappreciated.
My son comments on these rows of books that remain unread, unloved. Ever practical, he’s even gone so far to suggest I box some up and send them to the basement. He sighs when I suggest they’re sitting patiently, waiting for that moment when their information is needed and just the right book will be there.
Sometimes I secretly sigh, too, wondering when and if this will happen.
My son visits the library and brings home the kind of books that beg to be opened, tempt you with the promise of what’s inside.
I can’t wait to sit down at breakfast in the soft morning light and pore through something that feeds my brain.
I treasure the quiet and routine of it …
as I plant ideas in fertile soil.
Sometimes books from our own library are thrown into the mix and I marvel when a teen relates a scientific marvel from a volume that has been sitting on the shelf gathering dust.
What are you feeding your brain?
i have spent the last few evening pouring over photos that my favorite photographers have taken. i am hoping that this will provide some inspiration for my own photos. i am always looking for more inspiration for my photography. always looking for ways to improve.
oh what a great thing to have raised a lover of books. i’m afraid i’ve failed at that.
Oh wonderful!!! Isn’t it funny how books you don’t own have such appeal!!! I have to explore that first one further!!!
I learned years ago that what you put in your head is incredibly important – cheap, trashy romance novels or gory mysteries can easily rot your brain if they’re the only thing you read. Kudos to you for raising kids who read real literature and challenging, practical subjects! :0)
i just learn along with the kids in our homeschool. 🙂 and to keep me from being overly forgetful and senile, i signed up for brain training at lumosity.com.
Question for you – the mom of an almost grown son who is a voracious reader….what advice can you give another mom about raising a son who loves to read? My boy is 3 1/2 and loves books and reading and the library…right now that is. It is something I’d like to foster for his lifetime, as I too love to read. What things do you think really made a difference? Any advice you have is very much appreciated.
Thank you!!
Melissa, I think it’s in the child. I have others who call every book I give them “the worst book I’ve ever read.” {sigh}
Tay, that’s a great reading plan: sources of inspiration.
Jamie, you’re so right: what you put in your head comes back out again, for better or worse. 🙂
Bree, I think going to the library is a great way to encourage kids to be readers. Even mine who complain when I give them a book to read ask to go to the library. You can download and print a list like the 1000 Good Books List if you want to make sure you’re getting something worthwhile: http://www.classical-homeschooling.org/celoop/1000.html
Marsha, I need to check out the brain training thing. We’re exercising our brains on Words With Friends, right?