1. I can't remember when I began reading but my mother would be the one who encouraged it, although our dad read also. Each Saturday, we'd take the current baby in the carriage with however many of us kids there were walking (I'm the oldest of 6), stay for the story hour and load the carriage up with books to bring home. I recall a couple of times borrowing 14. Then, it was mostly fairy tale books of different "colors" in the titles, but then went to collie dogs, stewardesses, classics, etc.
2. When I was young I would sit on a comfy chair with a book and my thumb in my mouth! Until I was 17 this occurred; then I met my future husband (he was a reader, too) and never again did I suck my thumb. Wierd. Mama was never satisfied with my chores, so I guess I avoided them this way??
3. Many of our children read, but the girls (3) find more time to do that than the 2 boys who do. The girls' taste in books isn't like mine - I'm into romances, mainly (haven't always been, though), but read many other types. Two daughters hate romances, the other loves history and historical novels. We often swap books. Grandchildren, too - there are readers among the nine of them, but the boys have mostly left reading by the wayside. I hope that changes and is just a "man" thing for now. One very close grandson used to love having books galore by his bed and would read far into the night when young. Now he says, "I don't read now, Nana". Maybe time will change that. Their gifts from us were usually books. The girls have read often and a lot (some of them are my "friends" on Shelfari but aren't participating much). Their taste is altogether different than mine, but I admire them for what they read.
4. When I enter a store that sells books, I have to MAKE myself stay away from that aisle; otherwise, I'll buy at least one book. Bookstores? Forget it. I just went to Border's (coupon -whoopeee!) to buy one book, came out with three, after ordering four (I think, if it wasn't five) last night from Amazon (free shipping, you know??). And my bookshelves have absolutely no room for more books. But I'll read these (hopefully soon). Oh, and I've got one coming from PBS, too. Love it.
5. This past Christmas I asked my children for books, books, and more books as gifts. They insisted on gifts, but times were tougher and this was less $$ for them to spend, I figured; and wow! Was I a happy camper. Fourteen books, $100 in gift certificates. The best.
6. The books I've read, for the most part, I bring to a used bookstore. There's one near my sister's (two hour's drive) and when I visit her I always stop in to see the little lady who runs that store and bring a few books to swap for others; and we gab. Invariably, of course, I go home with more than I brought. That's just life, right? Our used bookstore nearby I'm trying so hard to stay away from; I've only gone there twice since I came back to MA in May. I don't need anymore, but the thought of that store only a couple miles away drives me crazy sometimes. And in Florida, there's a UBS just 1/2 mile from my park; it's lovely, airy and well-stocked with great help. Love it when my son gives me a gift certificate for that store for a gift!
7. I love being a part of Shelfari. Reading was always great, that's a given. But when my daughter introduced me to Shelfari last August she opened up a wonderful world, gave me a place to organize my books, keep track, "meet" people and talk about those marvelous places and people we visit in our books.
