Reading Year-Round!

Reading doesn't have to end just because the summer is ending! So many of you--kids, teens, and adults--have been enjoying the Summer Reading Program, getting prizes, and breaking our all-time record for minutes spent reading (over 501,000!). But having fun reading can continue throughout the year for those of all ages.

How do we do that? Here are some of my suggestions:

• Make reading part of your everyday routine.  You don't have to read for a long time--even 10 to 20 minutes at the start of your day or the end of it is good. You work eating, sleeping, exercising into your schedule; work in some reading as well.

• Read what you like.  Don't force yourself to read things you think you should be reading. Read whatever tickles your fancy. Who cares if it's graphic novels, romances, or paranormal teen books. Choose things you look forward to reading.

• Be a reading model.  I'm not talking about posing for photos. If you want your kids to read more, have them see you reading. Kids are notorious for copying adults, and they won't pick up the reading habit if they can't copy it from you.

• Make reading family time.  Whether you have younger kids or older kids, why not set a time once a week when the family comes together for reading? Have one person read aloud to everyone, or have everyone read silently to themselves in the same room. Reading loves company!

• Join or make your own book club.  Discuss a book with a friend over tea. Participate in an online or in-person book club. Small group or large, informal or formal, talking about what you read with others can further your enjoyment of reading.

For me, reading is like breathing. I can't imagine a day going by when I don't read at least a few pages. I don't consider myself a morning person, but each day I get up earlier than I need to have at least 20 minutes for reading with a cup of tea to put myself in a good mood. I often read for a few minutes while I have my lunch. And in the evening, I read for at least a half hour in bed to quiet my brain away from screens before sleeping. I read books that coincide with my mood and current interests. The bottom line--reading makes me feel whole and gives me different things to think about at any time and any season. Hopefully, reading does similar things for you.

Wishing you a wonderful year of reading from the perch.

Library, Sweet Library

Library lovers--do you gravitate to the mother ship when you travel? You know what I'm talking about. You're away on vacation, you're taking in the surroundings, and you're drawn to...the local library. It's a bit of the familiar in an otherwise unfamiliar place. The building may look different, but the smell of books and the sight of friendly, welcoming faces ready to help makes you think of your home library, doesn't it?

I recently visited Forks, Washington (yes, THAT Forks, the one featured in Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series)--leave it to a perch librarian to visit a literary place on her time off from work! In my defense, it's difficult to avoid the library in Forks since it's right on the main street going through town along with the Native to Twilight store, the Thriftway, and Bella's truck. Even so, I couldn't help shouting out (and freaking my husband) when I saw the same Summer Reading Program banner outside a library over 400 miles away from my own.

I couldn't help thinking how great it is that readers across the state, even across the country, are in a sense connected through summer reading programs at their libraries. They're all reading, logging minutes, and collecting prizes. They're participating in related activities, enjoying summer reading parties, and having fun! What can be better?

Feel empowered knowing that you are part of a widespread summer reading community! What happens at one library often happens at other libraries. Keep reading, whether you're at home or on the road. And in case you were wondering--I was reading New Moon during a new moon in Forks.

Wishing you good literary travels (physical or mental) from the perch.