Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Encouraging Reading

If you enjoy reading, it is always fun to recommend books and encourage others to embrace literature. Reading is both a way to learn new words and facts, expand your imagination, and see things from another point of view. It always surprises me when I hear someone say, "Yeah, well, I don't really like reading." In my mind reading is something everyone should appreciate. You don't have to be fast or read all the time, but you should all immerse yourselves in a book you like once in a while.

Besides just telling people about the books you've read and making recommendations, there are other things that will encourage others to look into literature. One of the main points I'd like to stress is that support of your local library is key. Help out and participate in the events that they run. The public library I use has great programs and is very open to new ideas. I'm sure its the case in other libraries too. If you see something about a program people you know might be interested in, speak up! It is more than likely that they are happy to learn of a new activity related to their interests. Besides just being a great place to learn about more books, library events are an enjoyable way to discover something new, create, make new friends, get new ideas, or simply enjoy an evening. I can personally say that the people I've met at the library usually share a few things in common with me, but the differences in their personalities always bring whatever topic we're covering into a new and unique light. A library is an ideal setting for creativity to flourish, and it is one of my favorite places to be.