The Importance of Talking about Reading
OK, so it’s Tuesday.
Lately, I’ve been running something book-related for you on Tuesdays. It’s kind of like library day. Maybe we have a guest post from an author, maybe a Q&A session, maybe a book review…
But today I’m afraid I have nothing new to report. I’m still reading several books (yes, I do that) but not finishing any because how crazy is the end of the school year?
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So instead of something brand-new for you today, I’m going to send you back once again to Lizzi’s blog and her Slip of the Lit post about the importance of talking about the books you read and love. Lizzi breaks it down into the simplest of terms: review, share, and recommend. Simple.
If you know me at all, you know that one of my champion causes is reading and literacy. Reading begets so many wonderful things – knowledge, connection, acquisition of strong language skills, exposure to so many different topics…the list goes on and on. To possess a love of reading is to possess the world. Reading opens doors we can’t even imagine until we stand in front of them, wondering what lies beyond.
While many people will agree with the importance of reading, how many think of the importance of talking about the things you read? There’s a reason book clubs exist. To engage in discourse with other human beings, to share the thoughts and reactions that spring from the words we consume…that is one of the best parts of reading. And one of the best parts of our humanity – connection with another person, with their experiences, and with the world around us.
Some of you are cringing right now at the thought of sharing in your high school or college lit course, remembering that feeling of being “put on the spot” and wondering if your answer or comment would be “right.” Let me say to you what I have said to over a decade of students. Stop worrying about it. There is no “right” or “wrong” when it comes to discussing your reactions to a piece of literature. Everyone brings something different to his or her reading of a piece and therefore, everyone takes away something different. Back up your opinion with something solid from what you read and you’re golden.
How often do you find the next book you love as the result of someone you trust telling you they loved it? Or from a review on Amazon, Goodreads, Barnes & Noble, etc.? Why not be the reason someone else finds their next favorite read? Pay it forward, so to speak. When you read something you love, tell someone why. Review. Share. Recommend. Simple.
It’s so simple, in fact, that first graders can do it. (You’re going to love this.)
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Kidzilla’s Literature Circle group recently had an assignment to choose a favorite book and come to class prepared to share with the group what they love about the book and why. When I asked Zilla about it afterwards, she talked about how she enjoyed telling the kids about her favorites, learning about theirs, and about all the questions that came up during the sharing.
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These kids are talking about books with one another!!! And I’m completely delighted that the teacher followed up the activity by sending home a list of the children’s favorite books so that everyone can remember and enjoy them. Even though Zilla and I have read probably hundreds of books together, most of these were new to us. We’ll be checking these out this summer.
See? Review. Share. Recommend.
It’s a beautiful thing.
Love this? Share the love and tell someone!
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FRIST!
And thank you so much for the link back.
I’ve never joined a book club cos I struggle to keep up with the books *I* choose, and I just think I’d be a dreadful let-down, but some of my favourite things are talking about books I adore. I’m so glad Zilla’s school are doing this and encouraging her to read, share and recommend. That’s awesome.
Yes frist!
And you’re welcome, of course. You started it!
That is definitely why I don’t do book clubs. I have the best intentions, but either life or I get in my own way and I don’t finish. But yes, I do love talking books.
Isn’t that awesome? I think the earlier it’s encouraged, the more it becomes just something we do.
Excellent post, Lisa. I love sharing books with friends and then I have the book club where I read many things I wouldn’t naturally be drawn to. Currently I am reading The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt. It’s a long novel, so far, very interesting. I always like the books that take place in a certain location or time frame. It’s the backstory of the setting that is as interesting as the plot.
Thanks, Val. I like a good long book that you can really dig into. Haven’t read one like that in a long time.
I think what you said about reading things you wouldn’t naturally be drawn to is one of the best things about sharing and talking about books. And that goes far beyond books into everyday life. Sharing, talking, listening to what others have to say – that’s all how we become aware of other ideas and grow.
I have never officially reviewed a book on Amazon or other place. Just not something I like to do. I don’t know why. I’m ok letting people know what I’m reading on my blog, and have done it several times, but it seems different to me.
I do love my book club, even though we don’t always spend a lot of time discussing the books. I’m reading books I didn’t even know about thanks to the group.
I love the book sharing that Kidzilla’s class did!
I’m with you, Christine – I never did a review on Amazon, etc. until I did Beth’s book. Then I just started adding them as I reviewed them on my blog. It does feel different, doesn’t it? And I’m not sure why, either. 😀
Even if you don’t do a formal review, I’m just a big proponent for talking about things we read – not just for the author’s sake, but for our own. Talking and thinking about things is part of what makes us so uniquely human. Talking and thinking and sharing those ideas helps us connect with one another and get more comfortable in different situations that we all have to face as we grow. And so what if the book club doesn’t spend all the time on the books – it’s connection! That’s the whole point.
And I also love what Zilla’s class did. Truly.
oh I seriously could swoon over this. I can’t imagine reading something and not talking about it. The best part for me is discussing books I read and then my daughter read and seeing the different perspectives.
I think that’s my favorite part, Erin – seeing how other people interpret the same reading. Love that. Glad I made you swoon! 🙂
And I realize it is no longer tuesday. I have had this pulled up in my browser since then. That was how backed up I was. Also not sure if I have told you this before. I read several books at a time. Sometimes I finish them sometimes not.
Laughing because I do that, too – I often find a tab open that I meant to read and finally go back to it after much other distraction.
I always finish my books…eventually. Some take longer than others. There is only one I’ve never finished – Wicked. Hated. It. I hope to try and conquer it at some point.
Happy reading!
Makes me miss children’s literature. Every summer afternoon in the worst heat of the day the kids and I would pull the shades to hide from the sun. We would crawl into bed with either a great chapter book or a stack of story books and read for a couple hours. I miss that so much!
I am getting to revisit many of my childhood favorites, May, as I introduce them to Zilla. And I’m learning about so many new ones from her, too. It’s fabulous.
I love your summer afternoon reading time – sounds an awful lot like what we do here and I’m looking forward to it! We’ll think of you and tip a page to you when we do!:)
I love talking about books, especially talking to kids about them. I’ve been a member of a book club for years and it really helps me experience a book better. When I haven’t liked a book, my club buddies help me see useful things about it. There’s so much going on in every book, we need to discuss to fully digest. Great post!
Thanks, Julia! I love that part – getting other reader perspectives. Finding a way to appreciate a book we don’t necessarily love is a definite benefit of talking about what we read.
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Hey, great share…..
Stories play a vital role in the growth and development of children. The books they read and the characters they get to know can become like friends. It’s also good for children to understand that books are a useful source of information and that good reading skills are important for success in their future lives.
Thanks for sharing this post. Keep sharing more….
Cheers!!
All absolutely true, Judy. Books are so much more than simple entertainment (although that part is good, too!) and help children (and adults) grow in a number of ways.
Thanks for stopping by here! I haven’t joined that link-up in forever. Maybe I should start again!