My mother was a voracious reader. She always had her nose in a book that she found at a library or garage sale. It didn’t matter what it was about, she would read it anyway. I’m not that way although I know many people who are. I loved to read when I was young, but now I find it harder to sit and be comfortable with a book as I get older.
I had cataract surgery last year that fixed my near-sighted vision and had it adjusted for distance so I felt more comfortable driving. That means I must wear reading glasses which I don’t mind because it was the same when I wore contacts. However, my reading glasses get smudged or scratched and are annoying when I read for more than half an hour.
Press agents send me books because I have a blog
Blogs and podcasts are great ways to promote books, so PR people often send me books to review.
I haven’t had time to read most of the books I’m sent so they are stacked up on my bookshelf which I feel guilty about. Most are self-published and are kind of blah. It’s great that budding authors can easily self-publish their work, but it creates a minefield of mediocrity.
If I get another book about how to “transform my life” or “tap into my inner she-goddess” I will scream. Many self-published books contain typos as well. I am guilty of that too, but use the Grammarly app to rescue me. I don’t know what I would do without it.
I’m also into non-fiction as opposed to novels or essays because I love learning facts. When I watch historical dramas on TV, I always Google the topic to find out how the film was dramatically enhanced. Most of them are so it’s no wonder there is so much disinformation in the world.
Alternatives for non-readers
Audiobooks are fabulous if you spend time on the road or would rather listen than read. Audible by Amazon has a humongous selection of titles you can get with a monthly subscription.
Your patience with reading is determined by the type of intelligence you possess
When my kids were in elementary school their principal incorporated the concept of multiple intelligences. Everyone learns differently and children are taught better if teachers recognize this. The same goes for adults. There are at least 8 types of intelligence, based on the teachings of Harvard psychologist Howard Gardner including:
- Logical-mathematical intelligence
- Linguistic intelligence
- Spatial Intelligence
- Musical Intelligence
- Bodily-kinesthetic Intelligence
- Intrapersonal Intelligence
- Interpersonal Intelligence
- Naturalistic intelligence
Each intelligence requires different methods of learning. It doesn’t mean a kid is smarter than another. Some people who are dyslexic are super smart but learn differently than other people.
If reading books is not your thing it’s not your fault and doesn’t mean you’re dumb. It may be that reading isn’t the best way for you to learn. I was so glad my kid’s principal recognized multiple intelligences because it made a difference in my kids’ lives and their self-worth.
How do you feel about reading now that you’re older? Do you still enjoy it, or do you avoid it? Please leave a comment below.
I read in spurts. I will pick up a book – one someone told me about, or a review I read, or one sitting on my shelf at home collecting dust – and if it interests me, I will binge-read until done. Then I go back to my life for a while until the reading bug hits again. I prefer nonfiction or historical fiction, but light mysteries intrigue also.
I hear you Meryl. That happens to me as well, although less occasionally nowadays.