Quote:
Originally Posted by jenieliser
I agree with the early exposure theory, combined with reading the right genre/book....
I remember my mom taking me to library at least once a week, sometimes more. At the time she wasn't a big reader, neither was my dad. But I read everything I could-labels, signs, etc. I remember just being curious about everything.
But then in middle school I stopped reading so much. I didn't get back my voracious reading habits until freshman year of high school when my great aunt (always reading, walls and walls of books) gave me Pride and Prejudice. I stayed up all night reading by the light of a heater. I was once again hooked.
Ironically I suggested a book to my mom and now she is just as much reader as I am.
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I think you are right about the type of book making a difference. Like you, I really enjoyed Pride and Prejudice but it's not everyone's cup of tea. (Especially not the typical teenage boy in a high school literature class.
) Many people on Mobileread are scifi fans but I haven't read any since I was a teenager - it's just not my area of interest.
I do think it's important that schools teach at least a few "classics" so everyone is exposed to them. However, I also think teachers should encourage students to explore different genres and find something that appeals to them so that reading is seen as something that can be enjoyable, not just something you have to slog through to meet school requirements.