how to get into the reading habit? what are the best books to start with? what is the best time in a day to?

Question

read. i have a baby and want to cultivate reading habits in him even as he is still a baby. but for that i need to learn to read myself. i am so used to watching tv and chatting uselessly on the net that i cant sit down and see myself picking up a book and reading patiently. i am ashamed to confess, i havent even read enid blyton, nancy drew or any of those books kids in their childhood and teens read. i get scared to stare at a fat book and fall asleep if the first two pages are boring. biographies and real stories interest me more that fiction. how to develop a liking to all subjects?

Answer 1

Try starting with a romance book--those are easy to read, easy to follow, and trust me when I say that they keep your intrest!

After you put the baby down for the night, pull out the book and curl on the couch with something to drink. Just read--if you don't read beyond the first 10 pages before you give up, you won't read it at all. If you read in bed, you WILL fall asleep.

By starting small, you're getting the juices (creative, of course!) running! Next, try a little Jane Austen. Romance and "Emma" go hand in hand! If that is too intense for you, ask your local book store for assistance. Explain to them that you don't have a lot of time to read, and you would like some good reads.

Also try the self-help book. Have you read these books?

Happiest Baby on the Block?
Happiest Toddler on the Block?
The Five Love Languages (Chapman)?
Total Money Makeover (Ramsey)?

Do you like comedy?

Basically, find something you enjoy. Do you like deep, emotional books? Sci-Fi?

Here's where I would go...

1) Romance
2) Self-Help
3) Non Fiction
4) Fiction--Novella
5) Fiction--Novel
6) Sci-Fi (if you're up for it)

Answer 2

The best books to start are the little ones. Read books to your child first. You'll start getting into a habit of reading. Once you do, start moving onto generes you are most likely interested in.

When I was a kid, I just hated reading novels. But after watching the first Harry Potter movie and then reading the book, I realized how diverse the book and the movie was. Before I knew it, I enjoyed reading fantasy books. I would recomend reading Harry Potter and the Sorccers Stone. It's not a long book, but it will keep you going until you reach the end.

It will be tought to find time to read, but try to replace the hours you use watching tv or checking your email with reading at least 15 minutes before you go to sleep. Reading before sleeping usually lets your body to relax more and you will have deeper sleep.

Answer 3

Look for books about things you are interested in. How to's are great, if you enjoy any arts or crafts or even cookbooks, or books about style and beauty are all informative enough to stay interesting even to the most impatient readers. After you discipline yourself to spend 20 min or so a day reading those then move on to human interest type stuff like parenting books (those are always really helpful for new parents anyway!!) or look into the history section for biographies on the lives of people you admire. You don't have to be a huge bookworm yourself to incorporate a love of reading into your child's life. The do mimic what they see so don't plop in front of the tv too much. But really kids mostly seem to benefit from being read to as often as possible while they are young, I even read to mine as infants and so fat they all love books.

Answer 4

You can't necessarily "develop a liking" for something that you don't like. You can make yourself look for things in the work that appeal to you, perhaps. It sounds like you're just interested in passive entertainment, everthing appears for you. Reading is more interactive, it demands more from you in terms of concentration and imagination.

As far as what to read, definitely start with things that interest you. Talk to librarians or people at book stores who can recommend new books that you might not have considered, but are close to your existing interests.

For your baby, read to him. Start getting books now. Make nighttime reading a part of the ritual of putting him to bed.

You can change how you view reading, but to do this will take effort. You're the only one who can make this change. Best of luck!

Answer 5

Buy books on audio tape and then the actual book. Just read along with it.

Provided by - Richard Neal Huffman - I am the author of "Dreams In Blue: The Real Police."

Answer 6

just go to the bookstore or library and get board books for babies maybe by reading to him will interest you, even if it doesn't just act like it does when you read to him babies who are read to are smarter and tend to be calmer and develop listening skills they will need later in life......take it from me I don't always like to read but when you see that little boys face light up when you start doing all the different voices of the characters you may come to enjoy it, some good childrens books are Biscuit, berenstein bears, just keep it simple at first with short books as opposed to the lenghty ones then as he grows the books become more advanced and so will he but there really are no rules on what childrens books you should choose just ask a librarian to suggest books for his age group also check with your library they usually do different activities for kids of different ages its quite fun to watch your children enjoy themselves while they learn and grow

Answer 7

A million years ago, before there WAS an internet, when I was growing up, I would grab a volume of the encyclopedia and open it randomly, and just wander around inside. I acquired a tasted for all kinds of trivia -- and can kick nearly anyone's butt at trivial pursuit! And it helped me garner a love of reading...

Try it!

And read to your baby at all opportunities. Cereal boxes, newspapers ... babies don't care, they just like to hear their mama's voice!

Answer 8

well, i don't think you have to like all subjects, but you mentioned biographies. choose someone that you think is interesting and just start reading whenever you have a little free time (i know, it's hard to find). i like to read when i get into bed at night. it relaxes me and i usually can fall asleep pretty easily. good luck!

Answer 9

I like to read for an hour or two before I go to bed. It helps me to relax. Start with what you know you're interested and expand from there. Like with most things, it's easier once you get started.

Answer 10

the brain is a muscle and does need to be worked start out with something simple and read 10- 15 mins a day. dont miss a day and eventually it will become for you the same habit your trying to teach your son.