Saturday, March 16, 2013

♥ Books, Books, Books ♥

We love books around here.  So much so, that we accumulate stacks of them.  We have books a little bit of everywhere.  Jason built the bookshelf upstairs in the loft to accomodate many of them.



It occurred to me the other night just how many read-aloud books we have going on at the moment.  Reading aloud is something I've always done with my children since they were babies and it's something I've continued all the way through high school (and beyond if they're around to hear it).  There's nothing like sharing a book.  It's an integral part of our homeschooling and family life.  It is my single most favorite part of homeschooling. 

My kids have always had to narrate (tell back in their own words) or answer a few questions or even ask me a few questions about what was read.  I let them ask me questions because I find that they have to listen closely to find a question to try to stump me.  They're only allowed to ask a question that they know the answer to.  It builds listening skills.  :)

After I read the other night, Jason and I were talking and counted just how much time is spent by me reading aloud.  We figured that I probably read aloud at least 2 hours of every day, except maybe the weekends.  Sometimes it is more.  It's a bad thing when I lose my voice.  :)

Here's the stack of read-aloud books that are ongoing right now.



Those are the ones I'm currently reading aloud everyday between reading to Joy, reading to Luke, and reading to the family. 

Right now, Joy has two readers going.  She sometimes has more, but at the moment, these are her two she reads personally everyday.



And this is Mr. Luke's stack of books from the Library.  We read him one or more of these everyday until time to take them back, then we'll get a new stack for him.  Plus he has many books around here that we read to him as well.



Jason is not that much of a reader.  He's more of a listen to CDs or talk radio kind of guy, but he listens in on our family read alouds, which at the moment include the Chronological Bible (we're reading through the Old Testament) and the Lamplighter book, Ishmael.

Colt has always been a reader too.  I'm not sure how much of it he does these days, but he grew up with all the read-alouds and reading alot independently as well.  I miss him being a part of our read-alouds!

I just realized the other night that I had never shared this particular thing about us..  But it is so much a part of our lives that it's just as normal as getting up, getting dressed, and eating.  :) 

I like the feel a book in my hand too, so ebooks just don't appeal to me that much.

 At the moment, I'm not reading a book independent of the read alouds for me personally, but many times I have that going on too.

What about you?  Are you a reader?  Do you enjoy reading aloud? 


 
♥ Tammy ♥

15 comments:

Primitive Stars said...

Morning Tammy, oh ya, love reading books, one of my favorite things to do.......curling up in a favorite chair with a good book, comforting, Hugs Francine.

Cindy said...

I LOVE your bookshelves! They are beautiful!

Beth said...

I love reading too! Have a wonderful Saturday Tammy!

Angela said...

Good morning Tammy, I love, love, reading and have always kept a book close at hand. I say my prayers, write in my prayer journal, then read until bedtime every night. Gets me ready for a good nights sleep. I keep a book downloaded on my tablet to take with me in the car, or when traveling. But like you I just love the feel and the smell of a new book. Nothing better. Have a great weekend.
Angela

Raymond Homestead said...

I think reading is one of the best things you can do! I have a Kindle now but nothing beats holding a real honest to goodness book!

Sandra said...

I love reading, and I do wish my children loved it more but they're not that much into books, which is heartbreaking for hubby and I.

Hubby and I are constantly reading, and I do real aloud to the kids sometimes, but nowhere near as often as I would like :)

Joy ~ Doodlebug ~ said...

Mama,

We love books! :) I love the feel of books, the look of books, the smell of books, and of course, the words inside. :) I love that we read aloud!

Love you! 8!

Love,
Joy :)

Susannah said...

My favorite hobby since I was a little girl is reading books! I love reading books. No kindle for me so far. I feel all comfy and cosy with a book in my hand. I read to my husband sometimes and he also reads to me...but mostly we each have our own book. It is such a quiet time of relaxation. It takes me away from anything stressful that may bother me. I LOVE READING! My grown children do, too! Maybe all that reading I did to them helped!

Susannah

Holly said...

I too love a good book. I have always enjoyed reading. Now that Darbee is learning to read, she really enjoys reading a book to us rather than having one read to her. I remember getting so excited to bring home a Scholastic book flyer from school to order books from and the excitement when those books came and the new smell of them. Now, Darbee Rae brings those little catalogs home from school and I get just as excited! Ha!
Have a great weekend!

Simply Shelley said...

I am a reader,and I do read aloud...to my grands as much as they will let me,and to my dog,Duke,just because he is in the room with me and I like reading aloud,even to myself :) Thanks for sharing your books...I wish I had a room only for keeping and enjoying books...they are a big part of my life at this time...blessings friend

bettyj said...

We used to read aloud as a family. I read to all my grands and now enjoy reading to Andrew and Mollie.
In my opinion there is not enough reading going on in homes today. My friend Carol would love this post. She too has a room full of bookshelves lined with books.

Hollie said...

Yes, yes, yes! I love to read but not aloud! LOL I find I become tongue tied when trying to read aloud! I guess it just makes me nervous!! I love reading Amish books!

Thistle Cove Farm said...

I'm a huge reader and have given away books to help start two libraries. But, there are still more, lots more, to give away.

Annie said...

WOW! That is awesome Tammy! I so wish I had more time to read aloud to the kids! I used to and in the summer we read a lot more but I love it! We all cuddle up to read and it is AWESOME!

Ann said...

When our kids were young (or younger!) I read aloud to them. I loved it and I think it helped them all be the avid readers they are today. (ages 18, 15 & 12).

It amazed me when we were looking for a bigger house over 10 years ago that no one had books in their house. We have SO many books in this house, we trip over them. (well, not quite - but you know what I mean!) Our daughter has moved on to reading on her NOOK. I can't get used to the idea of not turning an actual page! ~Ann