My first book was by Enid Bryton given to me at age 10 by my cousin Doreen and I fell asleep after the first page. LOL...in fact I had phobia looking at Enid Bryton's books after that!
When I was 11, I went to live with my brother and granny in her employers home. There was a wicker shelf filled with their older boys' old and forgotten comics and storybooks in our bedroom. The room was very small and the books are always in my face so I picked them up to read when I had nothing to do. That was it, I was hooked. I started borrowing classic stories and Nancy Drew's collection from school.
When I became a teenager, I giggled over paperback love stories. I was lucky that granny's employer has a daughter just 2 years my senior. We were 2 giggling teenage girls who were nuts over the paperbacks. She received generous amount of pocket money from her dad each week so I got to read the books for free after she was done.
But after high school, comics became my thing. The Adventures of Asterix were my favourite and I hunted down every series at Bras Basah Complex. There used to be many 2nd hand bookstores there but the number has dwindled down to maybe 2 or 3 now. Garfield comics were my favourite too. I could read the comics over and over again and still laugh every time!
When I was a flight attendant, I had lots of time in my hands when I was cooped up in the hotel of a foreign land with eyes that could not sleep due to jet lag. I would spend my time reading fictions and non fictions alike. When I read, I feel totally absorb in it and sometimes laugh aloud or cry softly. I can feel intense, excitement or relief as the story goes. And I enjoy being in my own world while reading.
My boys have been reading since they were born. From Eric Carle to Eric Hill to Todd Par and Roger Hargreaves when they were babies and toddlers. I used to pick books for them at the stores or library but now they pick their own. They particularly enjoy informative and stories with big dose of humour in them. Unlike me, they enjoy Enid Bryton's series by the way! They also enjoy my Garfied comics and Asterix Adventures. At 9 and 11, they've read so many many books between them. Recently, Russell received a gift from his school's library for being one of the highest book borrowers in school.
The boys would borrow books from school with each other on their minds! How cute is that?! They would tell each other excitedly about their finds and how they know that the other brother would love them too :)
Since becoming a parent, I enjoy reading inspirational, motivational and self help books. I've been introduced to The Law of Success by Napoleon Hill a month ago and it inspired me to teach my kids what I've learned from the book. It's a very thick book and it has 15 sest of laws that everyone should know and learn. And these laws will be very effective in helping anyone to be successful in whatever the person wants to become.
What are you reading now?
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8 comments:
What a great post, Eileen!
I love to read, but I need to find a good story. When I do find it, I just can´t stop, and I feel the same way you do.
I must congratulate you. Your children read because they have a good example at home.
My final thesis was about teenagers who don´t read and how new technologies affect them with that habit.
You made a wonderful job! Congratulations!
I´m reading a watercolour magazine right now. But I´m looking for a good novel, any suggestions?
Thanks Kira, Is that where you get your inspiration from to create such beautiful colours in your paintings? BTW, If you like witty story plus a little asian touch on superstition, The Hundred Secret Senses by Amy Tan is very good.
oh, my boys are into new technologies all right. I have to set a limit otherwise they become obsessed!
I love reading too! I read somewhere (a parenting book or mag perhaps?) that as a parent, you could start cultivating the love of reading to them from a very young age, say from 3 months. Even putting your bubs on your lap while you are turning the pages of the newspaper could be the very beginning!! You can never go wrong with books! (which could explain why I spent so much on books - the kids' over the weekend! oops)
I love books with a touch of humour and a sense of realism. Mind you, I'm reading Marian Keyes' latest right now..she has such a quirky sense of humour.
And I LOVE LOVE Amy Tan and Catherine Lim!!!
I'm enjoying reading your posts!!!
Thanks for dropping by Cynthia :) Touch of humour and realism is my kind of books too! I shall read a Marian Keyes' book next.
I´ll go to the store today, I hope I can find it here! Thank you!
We LOVE to read too! :) Currently we're reading books by Oliver Jeffers and Julia Donaldson to the boy, among others. I used to read lots, but can hardly find the time now... but when I do have abit of time, Agatha Christie's still my fav!
Reading has been my biggest passion and steady companion since young. I am currently reading 2 books (yes, I tend to multitask when reading!): Dan Brown's The Lost Symbols for some thrilling reads, and DH Lawrence's Sons and Lovers that I am rereading for the 3rd time for the beautiful language. I love English classics, having read Jane Eyre and Pride & Prejudice 5 times or more!
My older girl is also an avid reader...her favourite author is Enid Blyton (like mine last time!) and she has read the entire Faraway Tree collection at least 8 times, plus the whole collection of 7 books in Malory Towers for 3 times!!! She loves rereading good books, just like me!
I love Amy Tan and Catherine Lim too :) Keep up these GREAT posts!
Hey Beauties In Our Lives, you're amazing to read more than a story at a time :) My boys and hubby are the same where they can read a favourite book over and over again. Cheers to another reading lover!
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