When our children were young, I read them bedtime stories. Little Women, The Indian in the Cupboard. I love to read aloud. Maybe it’s because my dad did too. He read the Sunday comics with a different voice for each character. He should have been a voiceover actor.
My dad like to read, travel and he liked parades.
For twenty-three years we have continued with the bedtime reading ritual. I read aloud, Lisa listens. I wish I had kept track of all the books we’ve read.
The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings Series, the Harry Potter books, the seven Chronicles of Narnia, the Eragon series by Christopher Paolini (I highly recommend them although we’ve never read the fourth book.) and two of my favorites, A Story Like the Wind and it’s sequel, A Far Off Place by Laurens Van Der Post to name a few.
If I had to pick my favorite book of all time, it would be The Far Pavilions by M.M. Kaye. I think I’ve personally read it three times. And many, many more in twenty-three years. Why did I not write them down? I don’t think I imagined I’d be reading for so long.
Presently we’re reading the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series by Alexander McCall Smith.
Not all books lend themselves to being read aloud. Choosing from the adolescent section is a good bet. We’ve slogged through many books that should have been retired early on. We’ve also shied away from anything that might prevent pleasant dreams.
This week I will be in Merida for Art Rendezvous, so no reading before bed. We’ve tried reading over the phone, but it’s not the same.
So you might try reading someone a bedtime story, a child, elderly person or your spouse. It is the absolutely sweetest experience. And who knows, it could create a lifelong habit.
DOS TORTAS
the adventures of dos tortas 
I love reading and books as well. Are you on Goodreads? It’s a wonderful site for tracking your books read, reading and writing reviews, “meeting” other readers, and getting ideas/recommendations for books you might not be familiar with. I just added a couple from your blog post to my ever-growing “want to read” list (almost 600 books now — I’ll never live long enough!) My mother turned me onto the Ladies #1 Detective Agency books. I’ve only read one but loved it. Hope to get around to one of the others…once I clear off my Kindle and bookshelf of so many other unread books!
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Thanks for the information. I’m familiar with Goodreads. Not for me.
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Loved your post! What a joy to see a pic of your dad again…it’s been a lovely reminder of the wonderful man he was to all of us. Love that you expressed the joy of reading too! I do that with my students often…even as teens they still love it!
Looking forward to seeing you in a couple weeks. Meanwhile, I’ll look for some of your recommended titles!
~Pam~
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Thank you Darling. Looking forward to seeing you too.
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I love The Far Pavilions! It was one of my books that made the moving to Mexico cut. Now that I am a mother, I have thought that my son has an experience much like Ash growing up here in Mexico. I wonder if he too will become a man without a country and if he can find his valley in the mountains where he will be not half but whole. Big dreams for a mother huh?
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I look for this book everywhere I go. Have read it three times. Your son has a lot of talent. He’ll figure it out.
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That is so sweet. My mom used to read to me all the time and I loved it. Now my hubby reads to me, mostly so I can keep up somewhat with the news and politics. Not my favorite topic but we can’t keep our heads in the sand right now!
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Kim! How lovely to hear from you. I hope all is well and you are enjoying your well earned retirement.
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I really love bedtime story hour with my kids ! I hope they’ll carry on reading with their kids when the time comes!
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I read to my spouse every night.
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