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1.09.2013

I Love Reading

I love to read. If there was a fragrance called "Library" I would be in line to buy it. I dream about having a card catalog in my house. When I was younger I devoured books, reading program champion here. I'd fill up the whole summer program reading sheet in one week. When I was a little older I read one of the mystery novels my mom had checked out. I was so quick with it that my mom decided I was just skimming not "reading" so she quizzed me. Problem was I remembered more than her and had to keep checking details.

Now my children also love to read. My son proudly signed his first library card days after turning four and being old enough to have his own. My middle child reads quietly to herself (or at times the dog).


In an effort to spend a little extra time with the toddler I let her stay up a little late tonight. Nostalgia washed over me as she cuddled up close. My mom used to pick out chapter books when I was growing up. Her, my sister and I read through James & the Giant Peach, The Borrowers, Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH and so many more.

And then I started reading Mrs. Rumphius by Barbara Cooney. Suddenly I was sitting in the back of a Toyota station wagon driving through the White Mountains of New Hampshire. In the story Miss Rumphius makes the world a more beautiful place by spreading lupine seeds. On our annual family vacations areas of New Hampshire would be covered with them and my mom would always point out the window and bring up Miss Rumphius. What a wonderful concept- Making the world a more beautiful place!

Yasmina sat in rapt attention through the story. It's wordy and not standard toddler material. She pointed to the flowers and called them pretty. I cannot wait to see what beauty my little jasmine-flower namesake will bring to the world.


FYI- We read these books off of a website through Penguin Books  that offers free web based books to read. (You will need to register).

16 comments:

  1. One of my best days this summer as a mom was when my daughter stole my kindle and started devouring books on her own. :)

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    1. And then you realized you no longer had a Kindle :) ....

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    2. Absolutely. In fact we made it official for her birthday and gave her mine. So I am now kindle-less. :(

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  2. Anonymous11:55

    I'm right there with you on the reading - my kids love to read now. However, my reading-addict daughter went through a rough time and almost totally quit reading - it was awful! We love our library too!

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    1. I have fond memories of Read-A-Thons spent laying on my stomach under library tables (maybe I thought I was in a fort?). Hoping my kids get to experience that too!

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  3. my second daughter is the same way, we had to ask her questions to make sure she wasn't skimming the books too! And I love that you'd buy library perfume! There is something about the smell of books that's amazing!

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    1. Best smell ever. It's my issue with the Kindle. The need a Kindle cover that is library scented.

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  4. I spent a lot of time overseas growing up where there was no American TV. I learned to love reading instead. Still do!

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    1. Thanks- we don't have a tv either so I think that focuses attention on other pursuits. I grew up myself with only 5 channels and very strict rules. It leads me to think there may be something there...

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  5. Libraries are a special place -- from all the wonders inside to being THE place to meet others, pick up and drop off kids. Our town's library has always been a special place for my kids.

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  6. You and I are book-sisters. I would buy that perfume, too.

    Love the idea of lupines along the countryside. And jasmine is one of my favorite sensory memories of the time I spent living in Syria.

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    1. Wow- Syria. The food is amazing. I cook a lot of Persian food and the cuisines have a lot in common.

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  7. I still adore reading and my husband just doesn't understand. I remember spending all of my allowance at the book store as a kid. My kids are so lucky to have a Mama that reads.

    Thank you for this post. It brought back many happy memories.

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    1. I also used to blow my allowance at the bookstore regularly! I started a book swap shelf at the coffee roasters so I am lucky that this winter I have been able to pick from many free books!

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  8. I worked in a library, so that scent doesn't have great memories for me. But I'd happily pay for a "bookstore" perfume!

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    1. Bookstore perfume is a great idea! Then it could have a hint of coffeeshop :)

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