Long Story Short: Every summer, I try to set myself a goal. Having no interest in the goal of "working" as I do far enough of that during the year, I decided that this summer I would read 50 pages a day every day. This isn't a terribly lofty goal for myself (probably should have done something involving a "gym" or some such), but it's a goal. I told a friend she should join me. She did. On a lark, I posted the following on Facebook:
Now, it seems as if it is kind of becoming a thing. So, in its infancy, here goes. This is close to what I ask my students at Mount Ida to do (except they read 25 pages a week, on account of we do other stuff and write a lot too).
Summer Reading Challenge: 50 Pages a day, no holidays, no exceptions, from the day you accept the challenge until Labor Day. Any book (has to be a book). Any subject (but hopefully a title you will cop to reading).
What you do: Nothing other than the reading, really. I would hope that you would consent to making at least one facebook post a week telling the world THAT you are reading and that you are getting something out of it. It never fails to amaze me what I get out of the books I read. If nothing else, I feel a great deal of joy when someone is talking about something I've never really studied and I'm able to pull a factoid seemingly as if from mid-air.
Rules: Don't lie. This is a Summer Reading Challenge. We're not playing for a Porsche here. What's the point?
eReader Pages vs. "Real" book Pages: Use your best judgement. Push yourself, but again Summer Reading Challenge, not the Olympics.
Levels of Membership:
- Level One: "I'm only doing this because I was drunk one night and said I would." OR "I knew you wouldn't shut up until I said I would try." Leave me alone.
- Level Two: I really want to try this, but I'm wicked busy. Ask me what I've read from time to time, but leave me alone if I ignore you. I have a life.
- Level Three: I really really want to do this. I'm might need a push. Taunt me if I slack off for no good reason.
There you have it. Get to reading. Post here or on Facebook. Have fun!
Tips for Reluctant Readers:
Don't ever feel like you have to finish a book you start. I love books, but some suck. I would hate to think that my happy fun reading challenge made someone feel as if they were obligated to finish Twilight. Good rule of thumb: If a book hasn't caught you in 100 minus your age pages, choose a new book. Life is short.
If 50 pages sounds daunting, you can try Young Adult novels. I'm hooked, and I swear many out there are better than most adult lit.
If you have kids, read things that are LIKE what they are reading. This is better than reading WHAT they are reading because you have things to talk about, but they don't feel like you are screening their reading and they still get to be the expert on their own book. I promise you won't regret it. It gives you something to talk about with your kids that isn't rules and what they can and cannot do or what they should or shouldn't do. Think of it as a free conversation with your kid. If it's hard for you to get through the pages, share that with them, especially if they don't like to read. Can you think of a better lesson to teach your kids than having them see you do something even though it's hard? Something they can relate to?
Please share your tips on getting through if it is hard. Like any skill, it gets easier with practice.
Have fun! Happy Reading! See you soon, I hope.
