There are a host of reading challenges online that you can choose to participate in and each one is welcomed as fostering internal motivation to see a reading task through to the happily-ever-after end. I have participated in a few challenges since becoming a book blogger, but none have compared to the latest one that I have set out for myself here very recently.
You see, I’ve been a mother of one up until now which has allowed me plenty of time to read pretty much anything I wanted and mostly whenever I wanted. But we’re transitioning from a one child house to a two child house (with hearts open for more when and if God chooses). I know from advice and not a bit of personal experience that more children = less reading time for me.
But I want to read. I HAVE to read. Reading keeps me sane. It entertains me. It stretches my mind and my imagination and causes me to wrestle with issues that I wouldn’t otherwise engage with apart from books. I can’t NOT read (and I know many of you can identify with this). I’ve been wracking my brain lately trying to sort out priorities and figure out how I can still make reading a part of my life while still nurturing my family.
The other night I was reading aloud to my on-the-verge-of-being-a-three-year-old when the thought passed through my mind that I should read all of the children’s picture books in our children’s library. In this way I can:
1. Share my love of reading with my kids (which I do anyway, but now on a much grander scale!); and
2. Give myself a challenge that is attainable and still large enough to interest me greatly.
So the website Reading My Library was born.
Stack by stack, library bag by library bag full I intend to read all of the picture books through, from A to Z. I’m keeping track of titles, time spent, number of books read, good books, bad books and everything in between. I would love for you to join me on the journey by reading books from your own library or just seeing what I’ve found at mine.
<center><a href="http://www.readingmylibrary.com/"><img src="http://www.bluecastlephoto.com/readingmylibrary/reading-my-library.gif" alt="Reading My Library" border="0" height="150" width="150" /></a></center>
For me, this challenge marries things that I love well: family and reading. It’s manageable and something I can share with those I love best. I’m having fun and I LOVE the challenge of it! Come check it out!
Do you have a particular reading challenge that suits you and your lifestyle well? If so, what it is? I’d really love to hear about it!
Carrie comes by her book obsession honestly, having descended from a long line of bibliophiles. She blogs about books regularly at Reading to Know and Reading My Library.
This has been so fun! Good luck with it.
It’s a very cool idea, Carrie, and I think it will be such a fantastic memory for your children to look back on!!
Our library somehow doesn’t seem to be very well organized so books for 2 year olds are mixed in with books for 6 year olds… not sure that would work too well!
But I have a friend who’s doing this with her kids!
I think this is a wonderful idea. If I had more time (4 kids and homeschooling really restricts your time!) I’d join in!! In the meantime I love reading about your latest discoveries at the library.
it´s a fantastic idea!. great