Beautiful photo by Len Janes
My reading life has slowed down considerably in the last few weeks. I forget how busy I get at this time of year in the classroom! Training a group of seven-year-olds takes an enormous amount of energy — it’s fun, but exhausting. So, I haven’t finished a book in two weeks! But I AM reading, however slowly … I’m actually in the middle of S. F. Said’s, The Outlaw Varjak Paw, and am enjoying it. And I’m listening to the audiobook of Graham Greene’s Our Man in Havana, and am also enjoying it. In the classroom, I’ve read aloud all the current Akimbo books, by Alexander McCall Smith, and have just started Charlotte’s Web, by E.B. White, a perennial fall favorite read aloud. So my reading life is alive and well … just in slow motion!
A Fondness For Reading 
Not even slow motion – you *are* reading, just not adult books. Alexander MS is great whatever he writes, and you are just about to read what I think may be the best book of all genres, Charlotte’s Web. Are your kids old enough to have maybe ten minutes of silent reading a day, where they would read their own book and see you reading your own?? Tom does that every day for about twenty minutes with his seventh and eighth graders and it is a huge success and pleasure for all involved.
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I still need to pick up the second Varjak Paw book. I’m glad to hear you’re enjoying it so far!
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Charlotte’s Web will NEVER grow old. It’s got to be one of my all time favorites, since 1968 until today forty years later.
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Teaching is hard work. I don’t see how anyone reads after a day in a classroom, but you’re reading and listening to some terrific books!
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Funny, my reasons are different, but the effects are the same. Sloooowing doooown!
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I found a link to your blog on “Book Nut” and when I got here I was so pleasantly surprised! I love all your pictures! very nice, I will have to visit again.
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Nan, I am definitely reading, even adult books now, but very slowly. It’s such a busy time! But I am loving every word of Charlotte’s Web with this reading, and agree that is may be the best book of all genres.
Nymeth, I enjoyed the second Varjak Paw, and will post my review soon.
Bellezza, I agree–Charlotte’s Web will never grow old. I’ve read it more times than I can remember, but it is always new, fresh, and absolutely delightful.
Bookfool, there are weeks when teaching is almost too hard! Whether we’re having a good week or a tough week, it’s always intense. But that’s the truth for the joys involved, too. Intense emotional output, and intense joy. And our reading is a huge part of the joy in our classroom.
Heather, there are just those times when we have to slow things down. We go at high speed too much of the time, so the slow downs are very important. I hope all is well with you, and that your slow down has been good for you.
Wendy, it’s so nice to have you visit my blog. I’m sorry I’ve been out of commission for the last two weeks and was so slow in welcoming you!
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