Last night was a rough one for me. I slept until 1:30 A.M. and woke up feeling unsettled. Never did fall back asleep, and somewhere around 3:30 I realized once again that my ebook library is indispensable. I am not sure how non readers make it through those impossibly long, sleepless nights. Sometimes I just need to escape the world that takes over my mind, and there is always an author around who allows me to live a different life for a bit.
I wanted to make sure that both of my children enjoyed that escape, so we literally began reading to them in utero. We continued that practice until Mike turned four, and I decided to teach him to read. We went to the store, and he picked out a book that had 50-60 words. I remember sharing a comfy chair with him, opening the book and asking if he would like to sound out a few words. He nodded, smiled his Mikey smile, and proceeded to read the entire book flawlessly. I ran to get Arthur, made Mike do it again, and I asked him where he learned to read. He shrugged, and to this day we don't have a clue, but I have to believe Sesame Street played a leading role.
I do know how Beth learned how to read at three. Her brother brow beat her by yelling, "do you want to be the dumbest one in kindergarten? Read this book right now, Beth!" We laughed, but darned if he didn't have her reading before her fourth birthday. They are both readers to this day. Beth, like her mom, can't go anywhere without a book in hand, and her daughter, Sarah, puts us all to shame. I think our love of reading is what led my mom, my daughter and me to degrees in education. We all wanted to share that love of books with as many young people as possible. My mother spent many years helping disabled children learn the alphabet and how to put it together, while I enjoyed teaching English to my wonderful high school students. Beth is continuing my journey as a high school English teacher, and I couldn't be more proud of her.
Speaking of educators and their students, Darren Sugrue takes us on a wild journey in his book, The Prediction. The plot line was so unusual, I had to pick it up, and then I couldn't put it down. Read my review and then read the book. Definitely got me thinking. If I could, would I want to successfully predict the date I will die? Hmmm.
While predicting the future is somewhat scary, exploring the past can be quite exciting. Many people have taken to genealogy with the ease of computer research, and writer David Laskin gives us insight into a decade and a half of his family in his book, The Family: Three Journeys into the Heart of the Twentieth Century. This book also was thought provoking. We all want to believe we would "do the right thing" when put to the test, but it isn't always so easy. The holocaust made heroes out of some and showed weaknesses in others.
Well, I am off to do some Thanksgiving baking. Mike gets in on Saturday, and I intend to spend ten days mothering him, so pre cooking is a good plan. We at MADDERLY REVIEW wish everyone a very happy, healthy and delicious week ahead.
Happy reading,
Beverly