Your post about reading couldn’t have come at a better time. I was actually going to write about reading this week too, mostly because I want to wait on some of the holiday posts and, frustratingly, Luke has another ear infection so we’ve been laying low without many activities to share either.

photo
Selfie from The Last Bookstore, a total gem of a used bookstore in Downtown LA. It has a knitting shop inside and a tunnel made of books.

The best thing I did this holiday season is treat myself to an Amazon Fire on Black Friday. I’ve been reluctant to snag an e-reader for years. The traditionalist in me can’t seem to get away from burying my nose in a good book. But after trying, unsuccessfully, for 8 months to slog through the 800-page long book the Luminaries in my free time, I decided that an e-reader that I could one hand made good sense.

The other bonus, was when I thought about the upcoming flights on our horizon and the ways we could entertain our little bear with a tablet.

When I got the fire, I was surprised at how small it is. It’s right around the size of your average paperback but as I got used to it, I realize that’s just perfect. I’ve had it a week and already (re-) read a Dean Koontz book, which is one of my guilty pleasures from way back. I can cuddle my fussy, fever-ridden guy in one arm and when he finally knocks out, read with the other, it’s making my time in the rocking chair much more gratifying.

Our library has an amazing digital collection and you get the editions much faster than the hard copy. On my hold list are: the new Jhumpa Lahiri book Lowland, California by Edan Lepucki, Orphan Train, We Were Liars, And the Mountains Echoed, the third book in the All Soul’s Trilogy and Jenny Lawson’s Let’s Pretend this Never Happened

photo(1)
Luke reading one of his favorites, “My First Book of Shapes”

I’m actually so out of the loop on books that I didn’t have a to-read list. I think that’s the first time ever. A quick stop by Barnes and Noble and I filled it right up, but, I’m ready for more suggestions!

I really want Lucas to love reading. He actually sits and babbles while turning the pages of his books so I think he’s trying to impersonate me. But, I think the best way to instill a love of books is to keep reading myself. I can’t think of a time when I’ve had less time to read, because even in college I would take the lit classes for an excuse to keep reading during the semester.

Surprisingly, I haven’t read the book that you posted, can’t wait to check it out and I can’t wait to trade more book suggestions with you — even if they are about trucks, trains and superheroes!