Comments on: The Interplay of Reading and Writing http://www.girldetective.net/?p=1551 Reading, Writing, Movies and Mothering in Minneapolis, Mostly Fri, 22 May 2026 20:41:26 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: gretchen http://www.girldetective.net/?p=1551&cpage=1#comment-13023 gretchen Wed, 06 Aug 2008 23:16:44 +0000 http://www.girldetective.net/?p=1551#comment-13023 Before I went to college, everyone said, "Don't bring books to read for pleasure. You'll be so overwhelmed with school reading that you won't have time and they'll just waste space." I nevertheless tucked Anne of Green Gables, Pride and Prejudice, and a few other favorites in my suitcase, but diligently spent the first few months of my freshman year avoiding pleasure reading in favor of schoolwork. One of the great moments of self-awareness of my entire life was when I finally walked into the bookstore, walked straight into the fiction section, bought as many novels as I could afford, and read them all, in one great indulgent swoop. And when the roommates and friends said, "Wow, I just couldn't possibly do something so frivolous as reading for pleasure -- I'm just so BUSY and IMPORTANT!", I just said, "Well, I'm not. And this book is great." Others may not have had time to read for pleasure in the midst of a busy college semester, but for me, reading fiction wasn't optional; it was required. As you all have said, it is breathing. Before I went to college, everyone said, “Don’t bring books to read for pleasure. You’ll be so overwhelmed with school reading that you won’t have time and they’ll just waste space.” I nevertheless tucked Anne of Green Gables, Pride and Prejudice, and a few other favorites in my suitcase, but diligently spent the first few months of my freshman year avoiding pleasure reading in favor of schoolwork. One of the great moments of self-awareness of my entire life was when I finally walked into the bookstore, walked straight into the fiction section, bought as many novels as I could afford, and read them all, in one great indulgent swoop. And when the roommates and friends said, “Wow, I just couldn’t possibly do something so frivolous as reading for pleasure — I’m just so BUSY and IMPORTANT!”, I just said, “Well, I’m not. And this book is great.” Others may not have had time to read for pleasure in the midst of a busy college semester, but for me, reading fiction wasn’t optional; it was required. As you all have said, it is breathing.

]]> By: girldetective http://www.girldetective.net/?p=1551&cpage=1#comment-13016 girldetective Wed, 06 Aug 2008 14:52:44 +0000 http://www.girldetective.net/?p=1551#comment-13016 I only have (and only plan to have) two kids, and it's still been a struggle to carve out time for reading and writing. But stories _are_ like oxygen to me. My soul becomes starved without them. TV helps, but it's not enough. After getting the kids in bed at night, collapsing in front of a favorite show or movie is about all my husband and I can do. We go for stories, though. We never surf. Because then I might as well be reading. (And I even keep my book with me in case he needs to go to the bathroom, or go to check on the kids. Any free moment, you know. Heh.) On a good day, I read as I can at breakfast, after I put my 2yo in bed for a nap, and right before bed. So there's usually at least one time per day that I am guaranteed book time, even if it's a crazy, atypical day. I only have (and only plan to have) two kids, and it’s still been a struggle to carve out time for reading and writing. But stories _are_ like oxygen to me. My soul becomes starved without them. TV helps, but it’s not enough. After getting the kids in bed at night, collapsing in front of a favorite show or movie is about all my husband and I can do. We go for stories, though. We never surf. Because then I might as well be reading. (And I even keep my book with me in case he needs to go to the bathroom, or go to check on the kids. Any free moment, you know. Heh.)

On a good day, I read as I can at breakfast, after I put my 2yo in bed for a nap, and right before bed. So there’s usually at least one time per day that I am guaranteed book time, even if it’s a crazy, atypical day.

]]> By: Dani in NC http://www.girldetective.net/?p=1551&cpage=1#comment-13004 Dani in NC Wed, 06 Aug 2008 03:23:44 +0000 http://www.girldetective.net/?p=1551#comment-13004 I think you are on the right track. Nowadays, reading blogs and nonfiction fills the void that I used to fill with novels. As for stories, TV and movies take care of that for me. With four kids in the house, it has been easier to focus on TV shows than on novels. It is also easier to say "I don't have time" rather than admitting that I've lost a few brain cells :-). Now that my kids are older, I think I am ready once again for the challenge and mental stimulation that comes from focusing on a good book. I think you are on the right track. Nowadays, reading blogs and nonfiction fills the void that I used to fill with novels. As for stories, TV and movies take care of that for me. With four kids in the house, it has been easier to focus on TV shows than on novels. It is also easier to say “I don’t have time” rather than admitting that I’ve lost a few brain cells :-). Now that my kids are older, I think I am ready once again for the challenge and mental stimulation that comes from focusing on a good book.

]]> By: smallworld reads http://www.girldetective.net/?p=1551&cpage=1#comment-12960 smallworld reads Mon, 04 Aug 2008 22:08:37 +0000 http://www.girldetective.net/?p=1551#comment-12960 I can't count the number of times someone who is in the same place in life as I am (homeschooling mom) has said: "I just don't know how you have time to read." My reply is "I HAVE to have time to read. It's not optional." My reading for the past 15 years has been mainly in the hour before I sleep, but I cannot go without that hour. It is breathing. I can’t count the number of times someone who is in the same place in life as I am (homeschooling mom) has said: “I just don’t know how you have time to read.” My reply is “I HAVE to have time to read. It’s not optional.” My reading for the past 15 years has been mainly in the hour before I sleep, but I cannot go without that hour. It is breathing.

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