I can't remember the first book I ever read, and I can't remember the name of every book that has changed my life. I can, however, tell you every story I have read that has made a significant impact on my life. When I was growing up we didn't have Kindles and laptops and smartphones that had every book ever written at the touch of a button. We had libraries, and book fairs that came twice a year where I begged my parents for money to buy as many books as I could. Still, I can only read books that are on paper so I can feel the pages turn and fold the corner over like a dog ear to keep my place.
Sometimes it feels like books are slowly being phased out. As a college student, I know that most of my books won't even be opened, since all of the information I need is carefully outlined online. Kids are taught with more tablets and computers now-days than actual books, and it worries me that my son won't learn to appreciate books as I did. It's our responsibility to keep books relevant, and an active part of our lives so they don't become a thing of the past. There are many ways to celebrate books in your everyday life.
Join a book club
When you are reading a book that is so enthralling that you just have to talk to someone about it, it sucks when you don't know anyone else reading it too. Problem solved! A book club is a place where a group of people all read the same book, and then share their views on it. This is great, because you can see the same story through different perspectives. Book clubs are great to utilize in the workplace, as well, because they can help gain different perspectives from each department. This is great for brainstorming ways to improve on the problem areas within a company.
Get into book week
Book week is celebrated every year to encourage reading and involvement from children. This is a fun time to read new books, dress up as your favorite characters, and do fun activities based on your favorite books. By doing interactive things like this in your everyday life, you will teach your kids how to immerse themselves into their passions and expand their imagination. This is important to do at a young age, before the world tells them they shouldn't.
Read the book before you see the movie
Today, so many movies are made after the books have already been written. I can speak from experience when I say that I am less likely to read a book after I have seen the movie. On the other hand, when I read the book first, I always prefer it to the movie. Books have a better way of depicting the story and characters in ways that a 90 minute movie will not. There are a few reasons why you should read the book first, mostly because you will get so much more from the book than you will in the movie.
Read a book for fifteen minutes every night
It's so easy to push reading to the back burner, especially as we get older. We get caught up in the hustle and bustle of our lives, that reading a book is the last thing on our minds. When you set aside a measly fifteen minutes every night, it doesn't seem so bad. Those fifteen minutes can help you wind down before bed, and you can get that book in that you have been wanting to read. Not only that, but reading everyday can benefit you mentally in so many ways. Our brains need that stimulation, and it can improve our memory and keep us sharp.
Read one book to your child every day
At least. You don't have to read it only once either (your child probably won't let you off the hook after one time, anyways). This will help your child develop favorites, while learning what they don't like in a book. Some kids are all about the pictures, and some kids get caught up in the story. This can help your kid realize how important books are, and how they can affect their lives in a positive way.
There are so many ways to celebrate books, and the main one is by reading in general. Let's not allow modern technology to cloud our minds so that we forget about what has been here all along. There are worlds out there waiting to be discovered, and these are just simple things you can do to find them. The best way to escape from the sometimes-harsh reality is by losing yourself in a book, even if it's only for fifteen minutes. This bonding time with your kids will be something that they will remember for the rest of their lives.