#AtoZChallenge R is for Reader
The Blogging from A to Z April Challenge is an annual challenge put out to bloggers to publish a post from A-Z every day in April, except for Sundays. April 1 is A, and so on throughout the month. The theme I have chosen for 2018 is The Story Of Me
R is for Reader. Yes that’s me! I love to read and have always loved to read. As a child, it was said that I would read the side of a milk carton if there was no book to hand. If I was on the couch, I was reading. If I was in bed, I was reading, sometimes under the blankets,with a torch. Often I could be seen walking with my head in a book. Yes I still do that! I read on trains. I read in queues. I read in waiting rooms. Most times I have a book in my handbag that I can whip out whenever there’s a spare moment. I’m one of those annoying people who doesn’t care about waiting. Anywhere. I can always pull my book out and while away as much time as is necessary.
As a keen reader, of course, I’m a member of a Bookclub. Actually I’m a member of two book clubs. One bookclub has been in existence for about eight years, and I’ve been there almost since the start. We have become great friends over the years. The second is a local community bookclub. It was convened by me and we have been meeting monthly for about two years.
Being in a bookclub means that I get to read books, that I would never normally read by my own choice. This broadens my reading experience, and it’s a bonus when we come together over dinner to discuss the latest book.
If anyone was to ask me about my favourite book, I always say that it’s The Alchemist by Paul Coelho. I read this book every year in January, when thinking about new year goals. I must have read it about five times now. I would even say it’s changed my life. It’s a fable about learning to listen to your heart and follow your dreams. I feel like I can do anything, after reading The Alchemist.
Hannah Kent’s two books are much loved by me. I’ve read them both twice and know that I will definitely read them again. I really loved her first book, Burial Rites, set in Iceland in the 19th century, and couldn’t wait for her second book. It was worth the wait. The Good People, about beliefs in Ireland was excellent.
I enjoy reading historical non-fiction, and lately have come to read biographies which in the past held no interest for me. Not autobiographies. I don’t like them at all. I’ve been reading biographies of political leaders lately, written by journalists.
I could go on, as I have many ,many favourite books. A favourite when my children were small was Mulga Bill’s Bicycle. Each of my three children loved it, so I must have almost read the words off the pages. For years, this book was a bed time story in our house.
Favourite books from my childhood were The Heidi Series and the What Katy Did series. I loved these and read them over and over. When I was in late primary school, I discovered Bush Christmas, and lost count of how many times I read it
What do you like to read?
Please visit again to see my story unfold.
</a
Tracking Down The Family 
I loved Mulga Bill, Jen. We are big readers in our family and my daugher Rachel has passed this onto Ethan. Even though he is only 4 (next week) they read together every night and have done since he was born. She also makes a point of buying books as gifts for children when he is invited to parties. I’ve enjoyed reconnecting with some children’s authors and meeting new ones since Ethan has been born.
It’s important to read to children. Was always a priority in our house. I love buying books for children
Yes I have some for Ethan’s birthday next week.
I haven’t read “The Alchemist” but love Mulga Bill and also read the Heidi and Katy books when I was young. I also prefer biographies to autobiographies.
Regards
Anne
I wanted to live in the hills of Switzerland when I was a girl Anne
I’ve never read The Alchemist Jennifer but seeing you liked it so much, I’ve just put myself on the library waitlist so I can read it too. I haven’t read anything deep lately, so it might inspire me 🙂
Leanne | http://www.crestingthehill.com.au
R for Remember Silence
So pleased you’re inspired to read it Leanne let me know what you think
We are also a family of readers. I never liked or cared about history until I read a historical novel about a family in the French Revolution. Now I love historical novels. I read all sides of the cereal box every morning while I had breakfast. Yup, same one, every day! haha
Because I read so much, and read the backs of books while trying to decide which book to buy, I ended up buying the same book THREE times! And I can never remember the name of it, about an orphan.
My two favourite books are Domina by Barbara Wood about a woman wanting to become a doctor in the 19th century, and The Silver Touch by Rosalind Laker, based on the true story of Hester Bateman, silversmith. My parents were antique dealers and carried some of her pieces.
My A to Z Genealogy Challenges
Dianne your two fave books sound interesting. I haven’t heard of them so have put them on my ‘to read’ list.
Always good to see what stories inspire people. Your theme for the challenge is inspiring too. I’ll be making a point to mark it down to come back to if I don’t get through all your posts during the challenge. So much to read 🙂
My oldest was an avid reader to the point that she would get in trouble in school for reading at inappropriate times. We amassed quite the collection of books over the years to keep up with her. I enjoy reading too but sadly don’t do it nearly as much as I would like. Weekends In Maine