There are few things in life that I absolutely adore. Most activities catch my attention for a week or two, and then slowly fall off the radar (that gym membership seemed like a great idea at the time). SWV, sleeping in and reading, however, have always been things I enjoy and are constantly fighting for my love and admiration – granted I tend to pit them against each other. If I could somehow find a way to read a great book, while enjoying a glass of SWV while sleeping into till noon, well I’d be a very happy woman. Despite my best efforts, I am yet to figure out how to drink in my sleep! Anyways – back to my point…….which is around here somewhere……give me a second….I just had it……ahhhh yes here it is……favorite things.
I love reading. I also love finding a book to read. I don’t like spending $19.95 on a book which sells for $1.05 in the States, nor do I like wasting paper, so I almost always get my books from the local library. I could (and have) spend hours cruising the aisles searching for my next read. The hunt for reading material is probably the same feeling shopaholics get during a 50% off sale at H&M’s – minus the snobby sales person, cat fights and shameful credit card bills. Yet, for some reason the family doesn’t share my enthusiasm for free books. When asked if they would like to join me, they often use the very stealthy tactic called “I was bored out of my skull a minute ago, but all of a sudden I think I might clean something so she won’t drag to that hellish place”. My husband reluctantly comes with me so he can use the angled parking and to ensure that I don’t “accidently” bring along 3 days’ worth of food rations just in case I get “stuck” in the self-help section. But he never, ever borrows books – EVER! Where did I go wrong????
Once I get the books home, I tend to be consumed by the books. In fact, when I’m reading a good book, nothing else matters. Rather than Sunday night “fancy dinner”, we have “fend for yourself night”. The “smell it to see if it’s still good” rule is re-enacted and the dust bunny population reaches epic proportions (see my September 8 2010 post). And again, my family doesn’t seem to understand. They say things like “Mom, I haven’t eaten in days…. I’m really hungry” or “My head stuck in the banister again” but I want to encourage their budding independence, so I ignore their pleas and keep on reading. Actually, my oldest has been known to pick up a book now and then. Twilight and Harry Potter were huge hits in the G household. But ever since Edward and Bella became the June and Ward Cleaver of the vampire world, T has all but sworn off reading. And despite my best efforts (read: bribes), I can’t get any of them to pick up a book. I’ve brought home graphic novels (I meant chapter comic books! You dirty pig!), sports magazines and choose your own adventures but still not a single page is turned in our house.
This lack of boy reading doesn’t appear be isolated to my house. Over the weekend, I took an informal poll, and discovered that while most women I know love to read, their male counterparts don’t. Why is this? I understand that most of “Heather’s Picks” from Chapters are oriented towards women, and adolescent girls have a billion “lovey-dovey” books to choose from, but there are tons of books geared towards men/boys. A quick Google search came up with a great book list - click here if interested. So I don’t understand why they don’t read.
I love being totally engulfed into the fictional lives of the books’ characters. If you’ve read “Sarah’s Key” then you know exactly what I mean. I am also disappointed if I can’t get into a book. I’ll push past the boring stuff hoping to get hooked, but it doesn’t always happen and I need to walk away (maybe they need a Viagra for book readers!) But I don’t give up on reading; I simply head back to the library and check out another book.
Maybe they don't like reading because it requires that you sit quietly for more than 7 ½ seconds and for my boys that is virtually an impossible task. But if you were to put a video game in front of them, they’d be good for hours. So really, there is no excuse.
Maybe it’s that men/boys just haven’t heard of any good “man” books. Maybe Don Cherry needs to start a book-club! I’m sure the ‘rock’em and read’em’ series would be a huge hit!
What about you? Does your husband/boys like to read?
As you know, Karl loves to read. Some of the books he has read are the same ones I have loved. Others, not so much. Jam is also a reader, always has been. My brother got a Kobo as a present from his family. He loves it. My sister-in-law informs me that he spends "too much time reading". I have three nephews that also love to read. A cousin that has written and has had his books published. So, I'm sure there are other men and boys that also enjoy reading. I'm guessing T will come back to the world of books. Don't know why some men/boys don't read. It hasn't always been this way historically.
ReplyDeleteMaybe your boys just need to find books that interest them. Keep bringing those books home. Maybe if they see C reading they will follow. Somewhere along the way I think boys got the impression that reading was "not cool". We just have to help them see that it is.