I am a reader. I have always been a reader. My Mom taught me to read at age 3 and I’ve been one ever since. Before that, my Dad read to me. Like A LOT. And even after, he and my Mom read to us. They are both readers, so I had great role models.
I taught my oldest and youngest to read at ages 3 and 4. My middle child ended up being dyslexic, so I had to get creative with her. However, she did inherit my math skills, so I’m pretty proud of that too. She does enjoy audio books and podcasts, as she is an auditory learner. I come from a long line of educated people, so I wanted to impart that gift on my children. Sadly, they don’t feel as though an education is as big of a deal as I do. But, they’re adults now, so I they have to make their own way.
I also have a book hoarding problem. I want ALL the books. I want to liberate them from bookstores, I attend the library, I attend used book sales and yard sales, and I frequent “Little Libraries” (and have the app). I want everyone to love books, but sadly they don’t.
I had to be a reader. That’s the best way to be a good writer is to read voraciously, in order to take in different styles and perspectives and uses of language. I read poetry, fiction, non-fiction, fantasy, essays, newspapers, magazine — heck, I even read cereal boxes while I ate my breakfast.
Reading is freedom! I realize now while my former Abuser didn’t want me reading. That was one way I could escape him. Oh, and it might introduce ideas and he couldn’t have THAT happening…I might start forming opinions and thinking for myself… So, he effectively started censoring what I read. I always stayed within the confines and read what I was allowed, which was still educating my mind. I read to my children constantly, because that was apparently okay. I also started reading digital material, even though I’d prefer to have a real book in my hand.
I still read. I try to take 30 to 60 minutes per day to read and keep my neuro pathways in my brain pliable. I have noticed that since my traumatic brain injury (TBI), I now read and absorb more slowly, so I try to give myself grace. Sometimes I have to re-read to make sure I understand. I also enjoy audiobooks more than I ever have, which my neurologist says isn’t uncommon with my condition. I am still “reading,” even if it’s through my ears.
My goal is to get back to reading a book a week, but any progress is still progress. I envy the friends, family, and influencers that I follow that can read SO many books! That used to be me…but I still read and I think my mother would be pleased!
I found an interesting website that will test how fast you read and how many books you can read within a year. It’s a site based in the UK, called Mental Floss. Their test has you read a passage and answer questions; it evaluates how quickly you read and absorb and bases that info on how many books you could read within a year. Apparently, I still read more than 83 percent of the British public. I feel encouraged!
LINK HERE: https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/570929/how-many-books-to-read-year-test
